Coping While Abroad
Have the unexpected discoveries or miscommunications of living abroad ever been enough to make you want to laugh or cry? Then read on.
Published: Wednesday, November 02, 2005
By studying abroad, you share experiences that many would say make you a world citizen or a global nomad. Whatever you want to call it, there are ups and downs particular to being a fish out of water, or a fish who finally finds water it likes. The highs and lows that you might experience are perfectly normal when living in a culture that is different from your own.
Here are some suggestions to help you maximize and cope with your experiences abroad:
- Go out of your way to meet local people. Join a club, play a sport, take a fun class, or volunteer.
- Get to know the area and establish regular patterns. You'll feel more at home and businesses will recognize you as a regular.
- Use the local language and learn about local viewpoints and customs.
- Keep a journal to help you digest your experience now and cherish when you get back home.
- Unplug yourself from the US. Don't spend all your free time e-mailing home.
- Snap lots of photos.
The following links are to articles and other reflections on living abroad. We hope these will help you better navigate and enjoy the study abroad ride:
- Take the Shock out of Culture Shock: Study abroad students deal with the unexpected going overseas and coming home.
- Culture Shock and the Problem of Adjustment to New Cultural Environments
Please share any suggested additions with us.
