Teaching and living abroad can be the most incredible experience of your life or it can be the worst, depending on how you deal with the difficulties of living and working in a foreign country. Adjusting to a new country and a new culture can be trying, especially when we aren’t willing to adapt or be accepting of a culture that is completely different to our own. This can lead to feelings of depression, loneliness, isolation and complaining.
The best way to start getting yourself accustomed to an exotic culture is to get involved. Get to know your new culture. Go out and experience life. Make new friends. Live. Wonder. Explore. I love going somewhere quiet, like a park, and watching how everyone interacts. I also get great pleasure out of walking. I love putting on my headphones and walking for hours. I like the feeling of being lost in a great sea of humanity. There’s no better way to be completely on level to observe, grow and learn firsthand. I never once made an excuse for myself to stay at home and watch TV.
Observe what you really like about your new culture. Don’t focus on the negatives. We all make comparisons. Comparing your new home to back home is only natural. Don’t get into the habit of looking at everything in a negative light.
It’s important to remember that there is nothing wrong with culture shock. Everyone gets it and everyone deals with it differently. The stress of starting a new job, living in a new country, trying to make new friends, navigating unfamiliar terrain and an inability to speak the language can all lead to culture shock. Everyday tasks such as using the phone, taking the bus or grocery shopping can become frustrating and difficult.
Some people will admit they are suffering from it, others might not even realise they are going through it and some will flat out deny they are having any problems at all. It’s how we deal with culture shock that allows us to let ourselves go and immerse ourselves in a foreign culture.
There will be days when you hate your new home. I’ve had days where I hate China. I’ve had days where I hate Taiwan. I’ve also had days where I’ve cried and haven’t wanted to get out of bed. And you know what? It’s perfectly OK to feel like this. We all do. Try and remember that it will pass. Here are a few tried and true techniques to get you through those dog days.
1. Admit you have culture shock. Don’t try and deal with it alone. Try talking to a friend, preferably one who has already been down that road. Share your experiences. Part of dealing with culture shock is realising that you’re not alone.
2. Hang out with your foreign friends. It’s OK to admit that you are having a bad day. Organize activities like potlucks, game nights, bowling nights or movie nights to help yourself and your friends get their minds off the pressures of everyday life.
3. Watch English movies and eat comfort foods. It’s amazing what a simple Western meal like Mac and Cheese can do for you when you’re feeling down. I stock up on my comfort food while I’m at home or I’ll have my family send me my favorites.
4. Exercise. Going for a walk or getting out of the house can really boost your energy levels and give you a kick in the pants when you need it.
5. Keep a journal. I can’t stress how much better you’ll feel after you’ve taken the time to release. Writing is very therapeutic and it will prove invaluable when you want to look back and reflect on your first few months abroad.
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This is an excellent post. I think that I may be experiencing a bit of culture shock. You would think that after five months I would feel more at home. However, I find that in some way the culture shock is what you came for. Something completely different. An adventure.
Culture shock is definitely a strange thing to deal with. I’ve suffered all sorts of culture shock. I’m normally an upbeat kind of person. I like to look at my glass as half full, so I can honestly say that I haven’t gone through a lot of traumatic culture shock.
When I was in China, I was just so darned excited to be there that I threw myself into everyday life. I didn’t suffer many outward signs of culture shock.
Taiwan has been a different story for me and one that I am just now starting to realise, now that I am a year into my contract here.
Good tips! I try to focus on the positives as well. Expat life can be frustrating.
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[...] took me over two months to take my own advice. The first step was admitting that I was suffering from culture shock and the second step was [...]
Thank you for this post. I am currently preparing to depart for a semester abroad in Prague and have been trying to ready myself as much as possible for culture shock. Your post has been one of the most practical and accessible guides I have found and is a comfort to hear from someone who has a far greater amount of international experience.
Hi Jess,
I’m glad you found this post helpful. Living abroad can be rough at times, but the experiences you have and people you meet will far outweigh any of the obstacles you may encounter. You’re in for one helluva a journey. Good luck and happy traveling!
Every foreigner in Taiwan has a specific status in Taiwanese society, just like the Taiwanese themselves. The Taiwanese classify you by race, skin color, language, purpose of coming to Taiwan, job, education level, being able to speak Chinese or not, looks and so on. The combination of all these factors into the status equation of the Taiwanese gives a single result: you and your status within the Taiwanese society.
From this status derives the opportunities you get to make money, make friends and so on… It is quite complicated…
Culture shock in Taiwan is not something you overcome by adapting yourself to society… it is actually something permanent… unless you decide to do exactly what the Taiwanese expect from you: teaching them English for free, not looking at their women, not learning Chinese, and not making more money than they do. “So do not fuckin’ think of making a livin’ a Taiwan if you don’t have the guts to give a shit ’bout some of these freaks”.
I apologize… but sometimes I get a little bit emotional…
The Outsider,
You’re right. Culture shock isn’t something we overcome. It is something permanent. We all have good days and bad days. Bad days usually make us remember that we are outsiders and we are living in a strange land. It’s how we deal with those bad days that make us overcome these feelings of negativity.
I don’t agree with your last statement though. I think it’s a broad assumption to make that every Taiwanese person expects these kinds of things from us. I have amazing Taiwanese friends. I wouldn’t trade them for the world and they aren’t friends with me because of what I can give them.
Our world is one big global village. Culture shock occurs everywhere, not just Taiwan and including back home.
[...] Dealing with Culture Shock. Even the most gung-ho teacher will find culture shock creeping in at some time. Read this post for ideas on how to make it through the rough patches. [...]
Thanks for your advices. I try to be happy in new country. Sometimes is tough but your informations are useful. I will do it. Thanks again