Saturday, August 24, 2013

Culture Shock


Getting off the plane, and it hits you right in the kisser! You’re in a different country, with different people, with a different language, and it’s all so straaaaaaaaaange. What to do? What to do?

When it's time to leave West Baltimore.
1) Study up on the language
Study up on the language. Learning a few key phrases like ‘Please’ or ‘Thank you’ or ‘Excuse me,’ will help you communicate (however minimally at first) with the locals. When in Rome, speaking Italian can charm the pants off of anybody!

2) Study the people and culture
Research as much as you can about the people and culture in the locale you’ll be living/ working in. Is it offensive to wear your cowboy boots, cut-off jean shorts and ripped tank top to the mall? Probably offensive in any country, but you’ll need to be sure if you can or can’t wear your favorite outfit. Should you be making constant eye contact? What other behaviors exhibit respect in that culture? In short, what should you do, not do whilst living there. Like in Thailand, never touch the top of a person’s head.

3) Accept the differences
The whole cultural experience is a learning experience as well. Remember: You wanted to visit that oh so special place because it is not at all like your hometown. Differences are what makes culture wonderful. Granted, McDonald’s is there (most likely) but branch out beyond the obvious and breathe in the same air as the locals do.

4) Honeymoon period
The first 3 months are a whirlwind of fun, excitement, ‘golly-gee, why I can’t believe they do that here! I want to live here for the rest of my life!’ Enjoy the honeymoon period, take lots of pictures and relish the wonderfulness of your extended tourist period. It will wear off (if you’re a normal, sane person.)

5) The Not-So Honeymoon period
Month 4 and you hate everything about that place: the people look too weird, the language is too difficult to learn, the customs are just so outrageous you’ve taken to scowling and grunting at every nice gesture that turns your way. You hear from your mom about Uncle Richard’s birthday party and how she made your favorite dish lasagna. Oh how wonderful home is! You’re more homesick than hungover. This is normal. You’ve adjusted to your surroundings; the freshness is not as fresh, and everything is getting on your nerves. Remember the honeymoon period, and remember why you wanted to live/work in a different culture.

It also helps to talk to somebody about your feelings. Expats may speak the same language as you. If you can make friends with some experienced expats who’ve been living and working in the country for a long time, who’ve adjusted quite nicely and seem to thrive in that environment, ask them for some advice about how to deal with X, Y or Zed about the country. Assuredly they experienced homesickness at some point. Assuredly, they can help you by offering advice or talking you out of your Not-So Honeymoon period.

Change it up: go experience something as yet unexperienced in the place. Go hike that mountain you’ve been putting off because you’ve been busy at work. Travel to another part of the country. Even something so simple as trying a different restaurant or new bar or new dish or new drink. Meet new people, even if they may be expats.

In short, all of these tips for coping with culture shock are to get you to be mindful of why you chose to work abroad in the first place, that it is going to be difficult sometimes, but you should always try, try, try.

If you give up and want to blow your brains out with a shotgun but can’t find one, then you should think about finding a new job in a new culture in a new environment.


Much love to you,


Dr. R. Gonzo