Deciding to make the move abroad can be a great idea as you will open up your prospects, and are going to get to experience what another culture has to offer and meet new people. That being said, when you do make the move, and you move past the initial honeymoon stage of moving somewhere new, you are likely going to experience some kind of culture shock.
What is Culture Shock?
Culture shock is basically the result of feeling a sense of unease following such a big move away from where you previously referred to as home. There are a number of different ways that you’re able to cope with culture shock, but before we get into them, it is worth being able to recognize the symptoms:
- You are overcome with feelings of anger, confusion and frustration, you also might begin to lose your sense of humor.
- You start to feel like you are having negative feelings about the people around you and the culture of your host country.
- You are eating and drinking an excessive amount before you go to sleep.
How Do You Deal with It?
There are a number of ways that you can deal with culture shock. Some involve changing your attitude towards the country you find yourself in, and others involve changing your attitude towards your own company. Some methods include:
Appreciate Spending Time Alone
If you are experiencing culture shock, you don’t want to shut yourself off from the world completely, but a lot of the time, it can occur because you are on your own in a new country, and this is isolating. You will establish a base and meet people eventually but getting over that initial period on your own can be tough. You need to take the time to find some hobbies and activities you can do which will make you appreciate your own company more.
Take the Time to Learn the Language
One of the more isolating feelings when living in a new country can be how hard it is to understand the new language of your host country. Hearing people talk on the street and not knowing what they’re saying can be a lonely feeling; you can also feel like an outcast if every encounter is slow due to the language barrier. As such, you will find your mood will likely improve when you take time out to properly understand the language like I did when I first moved to England few years ago. When you do this, you’re going to feel less lonely and happier staying in your new country.
