Tips to Fight Culture Shock

Culture shock is one of the most common issues expats experience when they relocate. This obviously varies from person to person, but also according to a number of other variables, such as guest country, knowledge of the new culture, work and living conditions, etc. To help with this, we give a few hints and tips below which might be useful for expatriates and professionals.


What is culture shock?

It can be defined as the difficulties in adjusting to a different country and culture. All expats experience cultural shock to some extent, although not everyone goes through it in the same way. In fact, it is possible to experience it more than once.

• Some expats struggle during their first few weeks, until they start getting an understanding of their host country, make friends and start to settle down.
• For some others, the emotional roller coaster is greater after they stop finding everything fascinating and wonderful. That's when adjustment problems arise, such as language issues, loneliness, etc.
• Other expats have only experienced this after relocating several times to different countries, which might be surprising. 

What are the symptoms?

Loneliness, avoiding others, refusal to learn the language, having negative judgement and stereotypes about guest country, continuous health worries, concerns about being exploited or injured, etc.

Have you ever experienced any of this?

At a corporate level, the expatriate the rate of expats that cannot overcome culture shock is extremely high. Some sources quote a 40% rate.

Hints and tips

So, as culture shock can turn every cultural transition into a real struggle for expats, let's take a look at a few hints and tips to help you fight it back. Please feel free to share any other tips that might be useful to others!

1. Get the basics right.
   Before you relocate, find out as much as you can about your guest culture, the area where you are going to live, means of transport, business hours, any supermarkets nearby, etc.
2. Meet new people.
   It can be tiresome and frustrating. You have your friends and family back at home, but it is useful and fun having someone to talk to from time to time.
3. Don't avoid locals.
   Locals can be as afraid of getting it wrong as you might be! Local can help you adjust quicker and in a more fun way.
4. Learn the new language.
   It'll always be easier if you learn the local language, even if it's just to get by. Locals will be more appreciative and it'll be more satisfying for you.
5. Keep in regular touch with your family and friends back at home.
   This can help you with being less lonely.
6. Take care of yourself.
   Exercise regularly, eat well, enjoy as much as you can and smile a lot.
7. Give yourself time to adjust.
   The emotional roller coaster that expatriates experience is normal. It takes some time and effort to adjust to a new country and culture. So, be patient with yourself! 

Thanks for reading!

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