How to Cope with Culture Shock

Studying abroad is a great opportunity to explore a new country and expand your horizons, but it can be hard to say goodbye to your country and loved ones, even if you will only be away for a few months. We all have bad days, and sometimes you might think that all you want to do is go home.

Culture shock (which often takes the form of frustration with one’s new surroundings and feelings of homesickness) is something most individuals face at one point or another when living in an unfamiliar place, and is nothing to be ashamed of. During my first study abroad experience, I spent my first couple of months struggling to get to grips with the new style of learning and wondering whether I would have been better off staying in the UK. However, these worries eventually passed, and by the time I had finished my school year I was feeling just as sad at the prospect of leaving. I wish at the time I had had someone around to tell me that this is a common phenomenon, so this post hopes to do just that and offer advice for anyone under the same kind of stress.

If you are missing your friends and family, staying in touch can remind you that although you may not be geographically near to one another, you are still in each other’s thoughts. It can be reassuring to hear kind words from home, and we are lucky that in today’s modern world, it is much easier to keep in touch than it has been in the past. Even if you cannot phone home, writing a letter can help you feel close to loved ones, and is sure to put a smile on their face when they receive it.

However, I think it is equally important for those suffering from culture shock that you do not isolate yourself from your surroundings. This can be hard if you are having trouble adjusting to American culture, but reaching out and making connections with people around you will help you to feel a sense of belonging. For me, the turning point came after getting invited to lunch by a couple of classmates. I realised that if I just opened up a little more, there were people all around me who were more than happy to help make me feel welcome.

As well as speaking to American students, reaching out to fellow international students can be really helpful if you’re suffering from culture shock. Not only are they more likely than most to understand what you’re going through and be able to share your feelings, but you might be helping them, too. Your peers might be missing home just as much as you, and hearing from someone else with the same problem might make them feel a lot less alone. And who doesn’t like helping others?

Although culture shock is a phenomenon that affects your emotions rather than your body, if you are physically feeling run down you may be more likely to have negative feelings. Take care of yourself, inside and out, by eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and trying not to let stress from schoolwork get you down. You may find that a night of good rest can make all the difference if you have been neglecting your health.

These are just a few steps to get you started, but there are plenty of resources out there. This guide from internationalstudent.com, for example, offers a thorough look at culture shock and explains in detail the associated symptoms.

Do you miss home? Try keeping in mind the advice offered above, and stay as positive as you can. The Study Abroad Survival Guide group on Facebook is filled with other international students currently living in the US, and is a great place to start if you looking to reach out to like-minded people, so feel free to join and introduce yourself. You don’t ever have to feel alone when studying abroad.