Arcadia England

Culture shock is not a foreign concept 

Well...technically speaking it is. The phrase is often used to describe the different stages of adjusting to a new environment. For instance, within the first few weeks you might go from absolutely loving everything British, to feeling frustrated and homesick.

This is completely normal.

You've been put into a situation where you must learn the ways of a foreign culture and meet lots of new people in a very short period of time. All the while, you are away from the important people in your life, who you would normally go to for support.

Taking all of this into account, it's perfectly understandable if you are experiencing culture shock and you are most definitely not alone. 

What are the different stages?

Stage 1: Honeymoon 

This is when you view your new home with rose-tinted glasses. You just can’t get over how much better everything is here compared to back home! You take pictures of everything; from the swans in Hyde Park, to your daily coffee at Pret. While some of you may stay in this stage for the majority of your time abroad, most of you will likely to transition to the next phase.

Stage 2: Negotiation 

This stage is hard. You’re homesick. You feel displaced. You start to pick out the differences in culture, and not in a good way. You're frustrated that you can't find your favourite snack in Sainsbury's. You miss how much easier everything is back home. You wonder 'how can these people live like this?!' But don’t worry, this stage ends too.

Stage 3: Understanding/Adjustment 

You still notice the differences in culture, but you now see them in a positive light. In fact, you've learned to accept it and appreciate the little things that set the two countries apart. Those moments when you wanted to pack up and go home almost seem comical now. You adapt and move forward. Perhaps you've even found a new favourite snack you can't live without! (Chocolate covered digestives, anyone?) 

Stage 4: Acclimation 

You start to view your study abroad city as your second home. You might be a foreigner, and your accent might give you away, but you rarely feel like one. You're no longer the tourist staring blankly at the Tube map - you're the one giving directions to Leicester Square (while pronouncing it correctly, of course). 

Be patient and seek support

It’s important to remember the order of these stages will vary from person to person. You may skip the Honeymoon Phase, or you might go back and forth between two stages. There’s no right or wrong way to handle the emotions that come with living abroad, so be patient with yourself.

Open up to the people around you and seek support to get through those tough days. Your flatmates and friends are probably feeling the same way you do! You're not the first person who has experienced this, and certainly not the last, so don't be afraid to talk about it and rest assured that it will get better.

This was inspired by a post from Girl Gone London. Check out her blog for more great posts on life as a study abroad student!