When traveling, studying, and living overseas, everyone experiences the ups and downs of cultural adjustment or "culture shock," so the best thing you can do is expect it. You may end up comparing everything with how it's done "back home," as you go through stages of loving the new culture, and having difficulty accepting why things are done differently than what you are used to. More serious troubles might include bouts of depression and doubt.
Again, this is a normal process, especially when you are in a foreign country for an extended period of time. Try to remain open; be an observer and learn to appreciate the differences.
The study or intern program you’ve chosen may take place in a country where English is the second or third language spoken. Therefore, it is important to learn some basic conversational phrases at minimum. This communicates respect for the culture and an effort to integrate into the local community.
Experts have suggested that there are four stages of culture shock:
* Initial euphoria
* Irritability and hostility
* Gradual adjustment
* Adaptation
Almost everyone experiences culture shock to some degree. It can be frustrating and confusing. But there are positive steps that you can take to minimize the impact.
* Realize that this is normal and that you will live through it.
* Be open-minded and ready to learn. Realize that there are different ways to do things and readjust to think in terms of "different" and not "better" or "worse."
* Research your new culture. You can begin today by reading as much as you can about the culture that you will be experiencing.
* Look for logical reasons for behaviors in the new culture that you may find strange. With a little analysis, you may find that these different behaviors don't seem so strange after all.
* Above all, flexibility, humor, humility and open-mindedness will be your most valuable traits. These may have even been the key qualities that led you to travel in the first place!