Dear students,
Every beginning is hard, but that shouldn't scare you in the least. There is nothing more normal than setting foot in a new land and feeling a little strange at first. In this sense, the concept of culture shock fits perfectly the situation every work and travel student finds themselves in.
They say the first week or two are the hardest. You have to get used to the surroundings, the people you will live and work with, the cultural differences and ways of behaving. We will try to give you a few tips to prepare you for the experience ahead, so that you can enjoy your summer and deal with culture shock as quickly and effectively as possible.
1. Do your research before you leave
What can you learn before you go? Talk to people who have visited or lived in the country you are going to. Ask them what surprised them or what they found hard to get used to. Browse travel blogs and websites. That way you will know what adjustments you will need to make and what to prepare for.
2. Take steps to adjust to the time difference
Tiredness makes everything look worse. Try to get the right amount of sleep as soon as you can! When you feel refreshed and alert, you are much more ready to take on your daily tasks and be as productive as possible.
3. Get out
Don't give in to the urge to stay alone in your apartment and talk only to friends or family. The sooner you get to know the new town you will be staying in, the sooner you will feel at home. Explore your neighborhood, the nearby cafés, the local shops or parks.
Don't want to do it alone? Yes, if you have traveled alone, it's a good idea to meet new people. Don't be shy about socializing – in most cases you are not the only one who feels this way. Make friends with coworkers or acquaintances; time flies in good company.
4. Find something to do
As absurd as it may sound, find a second job or a hobby to fill your free time.
When you are busy, first, you feel more productive, and second, the barriers of being a foreigner start to fall the more often you communicate with locals.
5. You are the one who is different
We must not forget that when we go to another country, we are the ones who stand out and that we must try to adapt as quickly as possible. Of course, this is hardly a problem, because for young people it is not difficult.
6. Be open to new things
Don't retreat into your shell. Be curious, not critical. Try things that are new to you, eat something local and different, ride a bike, visit a local festival or join in one of the customs.
7. Breathe!
You may have bad days. You may make some mistakes. You may say or do something that people will laugh at. Nobody is born knowing everything, but everything can be learned with time. Take a deep breath! In the end, the effort you put in will pay off, and if you allow yourself to be curious, the cultural differences won't seem so bad.
Despite the difficulties you may have at first, living abroad will stimulate you in ways you never thought possible. If you let it, this experience will change you for the better and shape you as a person, and it will show you how amazing our world is and how many new things there are still to discover.