Students adjust to traveling and studying abroad at varying rates. Below are some of the stages of culture shock that students may or may not go through. None of the stages are entirely separated from the others and you might feel like you are experiencing several of the stages at once. If you find you relate to one or more of these stages, be patient and remember you are only overseas for a relatively short period of time. Try to enjoy every minute and get the most out of your experience abroad.
Honeymoon period- this is usually when you first arrive. You may “fall in love” with the foreign country you are in and might even consider staying to complete your degree abroad.
Initial adjustment- this is when you realize you still have to go to classes and carry on a somewhat normal life even though you are so far away from your friends and family.
Mental isolation- you may experience periods of isolation while exposing yourself to the many differences between all cultures. During this time, try to seek out people with whom you may have something in common (i.e. a favorite sport, a musical group, nationality, city of origin, etc.).
Acceptance & Integration- there will come a time when you begin thinking like an Italian/Dominican/Ecuadorian native might think. You might find yourself truly understanding the currency exchange and start seeing items in Euros/Pesos instead of constantly trying to convert into dollars.
Return anxiety- this is the time when you start thinking about leaving the country you are in, and returning to the United States. Will your friends at home see a difference in you? Will you stay in contact with your new friends overseas? Will you easily adjust to life back in the United States after living abroad? These are all questions you might begin asking yourself. Now is a good time to reflect on your time abroad and think about how you can use your experiences to further your academic and personal life upon returning to the United States.
Re-entry shock- Surprisingly enough, many students go through some “reverse culture shock” when they return to the United States. You may find it discouraging when your friends don’t want to hear every detail of your trip abroad. You may also find yourself starting sentences with “When I was in Italy…” or “When I studied abroad…” It may be hard, but try to realize that your friends and family may not ever fully comprehend your semester studying abroad. To overcome this, try to become more involved with students who have had similar experiences as you. Participate in the International Club at your home school or volunteer at your study abroad office.
Reintegration- Finally, your experience studying abroad will seem further and further in the past. Unfortunately, it may become a distant memory. Now is a good time to consider planning another trip overseas or simply reconnecting with the friends you made while studying abroad. |
