There are a thousand and one reasons why people decide to travel abroad, either temporarily or to relocate completely. From education, to job opportunities, to tourism. Whatever the reasons might be, one thing is certain: you need to know the important tips to put into practice you make your stay memorable.
As an international student studying abroad, the thought of the experience may seem exciting at first, especially if it’s your first time going to another country. But as the day draws near, you begin to realize the gravity of what’s happening. You’re leaving your familiar terrain for a territory you don’t know so much about, and you have never been to. You’re leaving the foods and snacks you’re used to, the language and culture you’re used to, and the fun exercises you’re used to, and you’re going to have to face something new. At this point, a little bit of anxiety will set in, it’s okay to feel kinda nervous.
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Even when you land and have started to settle, it will still take a while before you adjust and get used to a new way of life.
According to Cambridge University, culture shock is a feeling of confusion felt by someone visiting a country or place that they do not know. Research by the University of the Pacific shows that some of the symptoms of culture shock may include:
- Feeling helpless
- Feeling isolated
- Disorientation
- Lack of concentration
- Irritability
- Sadness
- Sleep or eating disturbances
- Paranoia
In this article, we’ll explore how to navigate culture shock and thrive in a foreign country. If you’d love to learn more about studying abroad, international student life, and explore scholarship opportunities, then subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
Tip #1: Acknowledge the Shock
Practical point: Embrace the Discomfort
Culture shock is a natural occurrence. So, what you’re feeling isn’t weird or out of place! It’s very much normal. You’re not supposed to know everything about a new place and just fit in effortlessly. So, give yourself grace and give yourself time to adapt while enjoying the process. Normalize culture shock.
New in a place? Feeling a bit awkward and uneasy about fitting in or understanding certain things? Don’t panic! It’s all part of the process and experience, you’ll get used to it as time goes on.
Related: Can I Get a Student Loan Without Work Experience?
Tip #2: Learn the Culture, Don’t Just Observe It
Practical point: Be Curious, Not Judgmental
Once you’ve acknowledged the fact that your feelings are normal, the next step is to move ahead. It’s not just enough to acknowledge culture shock, you need to start working on how to overcome it and fully enjoy the whole experience.
One of the things you want to begin with is understanding the new way of life in the city you’ve found yourself in. Don’t just approach this on a surface level. Be intentional about learning and seek ways to adapt to them. Some of the ways you can learn about other cultures include:
- Research: information is everywhere, and thankfully, a smartphone is not too difficult to come by. You can use tools like Google, YouTube, and even social media to learn about new places and cultures. Through these, you get to discover values, various activities, food, and other practices associated with the people you’re currently living with. It might take a while to adapt, but it helps to start learning as soon as you can.
- Attend events: another way to learn is through a live experience. You can attend festivals, carnivals, go to local restaurants, visit historical places, etc. By doing this, you get to see things live and direct, and you have the opportunity to ask questions. This helps facilitate your learning process as it’s easier to remember things this way.Â
Tip #3: Language is More Than Words
Practical Point: Pick Up the Local Lingo
The importance of communication cannot be overemphasized, and it’s easy to adapt to a new environment when you understand the language. As an international student, if you’re going to a country where the official Language is different from yours, then you’ll need to learn the language. Sometimes, universities incorporate language training for international students before they begin their actual course. All of these are to help students onboard and adapt seamlessly.
Moreover, when it comes to language learning, it’s not enough to know only words; learn how to communicate in clear sentences. Learn phrases, idioms, slang, and proverbs.
If you’re very open to learning, you should also seek to learn non-verbal communication, as this will go a long way to helping you relate properly with locals. Language learning applications or enrolling in a school can help seamlessly enhance your journey.
Related: How to Bring Your Family While Studying Abroad
Tip #4: Build Your Circle
Practical point: Find Your People
One thing I’ve learnt from experience is that life is so much easier when you have the right people around you. I remember when I once had to travel far from home for the first time, one of my major problems was adapting. As a core introvert, I knew it wouldn’t be easy settling in, but luckily enough, I was able to make friends at the bus park, and when we got to our destination, it was easy navigating the whole terrain because we were together. We didn’t just talk and enjoy each other’s company; we also looked out for ourselves, and this made my experience easier.
As an international student in a foreign land, you must learn how to find your circle. Joining clubs on campus, attending orientation meetings, volunteering, or attending networking events is a good place to start. While your friends may not necessarily need to have the same interests as you, ensure that you trust them, you share similar values on important things, and your goals align. It also helps when you make friends with both other international students and indigenes.
Additionally, good friendships don’t just fall from the sky, they take intentional efforts from everyone involved; that’s why the emphasis should be on making friends with people who share the same values and goals.
Tip #5: Keep a Piece of Home
Practical point: Create a Comfort Zone
Travelling outside your country doesn’t mean you’d forget the experience you once built. It doesn’t just go away. You’re not even supposed to lose yourself while trying to adapt to a new environment.
As an international student studying abroad, one of the ways to deal with culture shock is by engaging in familiar habits and activities. So, during the times when you feel anxious, sad, or alone, doing things that connect you to home can help.
If there were certain activities you used to do back at home before, it may be time to incorporate them into your schedule. It can be as little as going for a work, singing songs in your local dialect, going swimming in specific days, trying to recreate homemade food, buying a piece a of art that reminds you of home, reading a book you wrote while you were at home, making your cultural dresses, or going shopping to get dressed that are similar to those from home, etc. The list goes on. Doing this serves as a reminder, it’s as though you have a piece of home with you everywhere you go.
Tip #6: Stay Open and Adaptable
Practical point: Be Willing to Shift Your Perspective
Well, you can’t adapt without being adaptable. (Inserts laugh) One of the ways to deal with culture shock as an international student in a foreign country is to train yourself to be flexible.
When you’re in a new place, you’ll get to know about ideologies, food, practices, values, etc that contrast with you. Don’t put up a rigid front and decide to refuse all; rather, embrace them, as long as they don’t taint your core values. Explore when needed, be willing and open to learn. It’s all a part of the process. God created a beautiful and complex world filled with possibilities. The end of your knowledge is the beginning of another person’s own, and that’s why learning never ends. Find yourself in a new place? Be willing and open enough to learn!
Related: 10 Most Affordable Universities in Saudi Arabia for International Students
Tip #7: Track Your Growth
Practical point: Celebrate Small Wins
We all need encouragement at some point, don’t we? So, when you do something you’ve not tried before, celebrate it! Be your cheerleader.
You can record your journey in your journal and celebrate your milestones. If you’re social media savvy, you can even document your progress in video format to celebrate yourself and help others who might be struggling with that same thing.
Celebrating your wins makes you eager to embark on new tasks!
Conclusion
As an international student in a new environment, settling in can be quite hard. You’re not the first to feel confused or anxious. You’re also not the first to miss home or feel tired or sad. It’s all a part of the experience. However, approaching culture shock with the right attitude while employing the right tools will help you have a more memorable experience.
