Moving to a new country will be an exciting, and sometimes trying, adventure; but ultimately, it’s what you personally make of the circumstances that will ensure your study abroad is an experience to fondly remember! By finding out more about the culture and new environment you will live in, you will likely feel better prepared for what you encounter overseas.
And of course, having a positive and open attitude can be key to coping with difficult (or simply different) situations. Read on for some tips and ideas on navigating your new terrain.
One of the first things to remember about moving to a new country is that identical behaviors can have different meanings in different cultures. For example, looking away and not making eye contact can be a sign of respect in some cultures, while in the U.S. this behavior indicates insecurity or perhaps dishonesty. See how miscommunication between persons of different nationalities can occur? The best way to prepare yourself for a foreign culture is to learn as much as you can about the culture!
Learning about your Destination
- Buy a guidebook. Lonely Planet, Let’s Go, and Rough Guides all provide introductory cultural, political, and historical information.
- Talk to students from the countries you will visit. Get their input. Check out get involved to start connecting!
- Read fiction by a native author. This will often
give clues as to how everyday life is lived and provide cultural
context. However, see the next bullet…
- Don’t stereotype or make assumptions about the
people you meet, regardless of what you have read. Imagine if someone
read a book about American culture. Instead, use your research as a
foundation upon which you can develop questions to learn more about the
culture.
- Check out “How to tell if you are an American”
for ways to start thinking about culture. There are also versions for
people of other nationalities, which could also be helpful (&
amusing), as you get ready to go overseas.
- After you arrive in country, you may face some culture shock. Read this article from GoOverseas before you go, to get an idea of what you may experience overseas and develop a handle on coping strategies.
