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.
For the longwinded, academictypes.
Much love to you,
Dr. R. Gonzo
Posts
