Help Adjusting

When traveling to a foreign country for an extended period time (as opposed to short-term vacations), students should be prepared to encounter culture shock.  This is the psychological shock which results from having to adjust to new surroundings and to a culture which is different from their own.  Gone will be all of the familiar signs of home and the myriad of automatic responses, and the support system they have counted on to help them meet their obligations of daily life.  Climate, food, landscapes, people and their ways will seem strange.  Culture shock is a normal reaction, so students should give themselves time to adjust.

The following is a list of common symptoms of culture shock:

  1. feeling isolated and frustrated
  2. becoming nervous and excessively tired
  3. sleeping a lot, even after recovering from jet lag
  4. feeling excessively homesick
  5. feeling hostile toward the host culture, believing it to be the cause of discomfort
  6. having minor irritations that turn to anger
  7. becoming very dependent on other American students
  8. having deep doubts about the wisdom of being in a foreign country, possibly with academic anxieties
  9. feeling reluctant to speak to or associate with host country nationals

how can i help my child to deal with culture shock?
Almost all people in a foreign country must cope with culture shock to some degree.  In order to cope with culture shock, you could help your child by suggesting and reminding your child to do the following:

  1. Maintain perspective:  Remember that thousands of students and scholars have studied and conducted research and have survived overseas.
  2. Evaluate expectations: If you feel confused or disappointed about something, ask yourself: “What did I expect?”; “Were my expectations completely unreasonable?”  By addressing and answering these kinds of questions, you can do much to reduce the level of dissatisfaction and unhappiness you may feel.
  3. Keep an open mind:  People in different countries do and say things differently.  Try to understand that people act according to their own set of values, and that these values are born of a culture different from yours.  Try to avoid evaluating foreign behaviors by the standards of your own culture.
  4. Do not withdraw:  Withdrawing to immerse yourself in your studies is not a good solution.  You must face these situations.
    • Seek help:  If you continue to have personal adjustment problems, consult your resident director, on-site program advisor or the Study Abroad Center.