Culture shock is quite common in students who study abroad and for people moving to a new country to start a new job. Your surroundings are no longer familiar, and everything is different, including:
- Food
- Clothing
- Customs
- Language
- Values
- Communications
- Weather
- Social Roles
- Landscape
As such, you might experience a sense of being overwhelmed, which can lead to loneliness, sadness, anger, depression, insomnia, and host of other emotions and feelings. You might also feel homesick and start to question your decision to study or work in a foreign country. This is culture shock.
How to Get Over Culture Shock
There are several things you can do to help get over culture shock. Here are a few tips others have used to overcome their culture shock:
- Learn the local language by enrolling in an ESL school, like Computer Systems Institute, and learn English.
- Spend time as a “tourist” to take in the sights and attractions to learn more about your new home, the culture of its people, and more.
- Write in a journal from the time you arrive, and write down the things you enjoy and like about your new home.
- Prepare and cook your favorite foods at least once a week.
- Make new friends with locals, as well as people in your ESL classes.
For more information about English courses for International Students, please feel free to contact Computer Systems Institute at 1-847-967-5030 today.
