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People who are accustomed to their own country and people often experience culture shock when they go abroad. Culture shock is the natural psychological and emotional disorientation experienced when moving to or visiting a completely new cultural environment. It arises from the clash between your familiar norms and the unfamiliar language, social behaviors, or daily routines of your new surroundings.
Causes of Culture Shock: What Awaits You?
1. A completely different lifestyle
As soon as you step abroad, you will very quickly realize that your life has completely changed. This sudden sense of freedom can both confuse and frighten a person. It can be difficult to figure out how to cope with the abrupt disappearance of the daily routine you were used to. From now on, every step you take will directly affect you, so you must be responsible and take control. Because if you don't cook your own food, do your own laundry, go to the market, or submit your assignments on time, no one will do it for you.
2. Language barrier and local dialects
No matter how perfectly you know the language of the country you are going to, communicating with local people in real life will be a completely different experience. Every country has its own slang used in everyday language, and over time you will get used to it. For example, Canadians call a 1-dollar coin a "Loonie" and a 2-dollar coin a "Toonie."
3. Weather conditions
If you go to Canada, you may encounter a cold in winter unlike anything you have experienced in your life. In England, it will rain far more than you expect, and in Australia, you will see that the seasons are completely reversed (winter when you expect summer, and summer when you expect winter). This situation can cause you stress, since climate change can unexpectedly affect your health. But you will be surprised by one thing: no matter what the weather is like in these countries, life never stops — which means you shouldn't stop either.
4. Academic environment
Every country has its own unique education system; the structure of classes, teachers' methods, grading scales, project work, deadlines, and scholarships can all be completely different. Sometimes so much new information comes at you at once that it becomes difficult to take it all in. Don't let this scare you — try to understand everything little by little, and over time you will adapt.
5. The unwritten rules of society
Every society has rules that everyone knows but that are never written down anywhere. These rules directly affect the flow of daily life. For example, in Canada it is considered normal to say "thank you" or "sorry" very often, even for the smallest things. If you don't say it, even without any bad intention, you may be considered rude. In Australia, on the other hand, a complete stranger may address you as "mate," meaning friend or companion, even on your very first meeting.
6. Homesickness and longing for food
It is completely natural to miss the home you grew up in, your family, and the national dishes you are used to. The best way to deal with this is to find shops or restaurants near where you live that sell products suited to your taste. You can learn to cook and invite your friends over — this reduces the feeling of being a stranger. But best of all, simply pick up the phone and call your family.
The Most Common Symptoms of Culture Shock
1. Anxiety, depression, or loneliness
It is completely normal to experience these feelings in the early period when you are still getting used to a new environment. The degree of this varies from person to person.
2. Homesickness
Missing the country you came from and the people you left behind is inevitable. This feeling becomes even stronger especially when you refuse to adapt to the new conditions and try to do everything exactly as you did back home. It is best to prepare yourself to discover the new culture and build new memories.
3. Disrupted sleep patterns
It is normal for your sleep to be disturbed in the first days due to jet lag. However, your sleep problems may continue further due to overthinking, stress, lack of self-confidence, and similar reasons.
4. Withdrawal and isolation
Some students make new friends and start exploring their surroundings as soon as they arrive; others, on the contrary, withdraw into themselves and avoid crowded places. While it is normal not to want to go outside in the first days, it is not advisable for this to last long. It is very important to build a social circle that will keep you occupied.
5. Decreased productivity
Because they cannot cope with stress, some students begin to perform poorly in their classes or jobs. Understanding the new education system can also be difficult. The key is to identify in time what is holding you back and address it.
6. Inability to manage time properly
If you are an international student, dividing your time properly is vital. For example, if you miss a project deadline, your grade may be deducted. Sometimes the lack of a stable routine — either having too much work to do or too much free time — can disrupt your plans. You need to prioritize your tasks and create a balance between work and leisure.
7. Sharp changes in personality
Some students adapt very comfortably to the new culture, while others artificially try to change themselves simply to be accepted by that society. This can lead to changes that are immediately noticeable from the outside: for example, forcibly changing one's accent to sound more professional, suddenly updating one's wardrobe, losing control over spending, and so on. It is better to let such changes happen naturally and on their own, rather than forcing yourself.
How to Overcome Culture Shock?
If you stay calm and accept changes over time, you can overcome culture shock quite easily. Here are a few effective methods that will help you:
1. Accept the situation
Know that every person living abroad experiences this shock — it is completely normal. You are not the only one feeling this way. Give yourself time to get used to the new environment.
2. Don't cut off contact
Don't try to deal with problems on your own. Stay in regular contact with your family and friends who will motivate you. Be open to new experiences and to discovering this different life.
3. Take part in cultural events
You will be surprised at how many cultural and social events are organized on and around the university campus. Take an active part in them. If you have the opportunity, volunteer! This is both a great experience and an excellent opportunity to meet new people (networking).
4. Find a job
Check your visa conditions, and if permitted, find a part-time job. This will help you use your time productively, bring in some extra money, and also be a very valuable experience for your CV when you look for work in the future.
5. Socialize
It may not happen right away, but try to communicate with people. This will help you both build connections and understand the difficulties other students are going through as well. This way, you can discover the city, restaurants, and new places together.
6. Don't drift away from your hobbies
Whatever hobbies you had before coming here — reading, gardening, cooking, sports, and so on — continue them. Most universities have student clubs that match your interests. If there isn't one, why not create your own club?
7. Get professional support if needed
Remember, culture shock is a completely natural reaction of the body and mind when adapting to a new environment. With patience and time, everything will fall into place. Look at this period not as a hardship, but as a step toward gaining new opportunities and learning to adapt to life.
