Culture shock is a very real thing. Most of us have experienced it at one time or another in our lives, even those who have never travelled abroad. Think about your first few weeks at university, for example. New schedules, new routines, new friends, new food (dorm food, yuk). All of these factors probably added up to you feeling very uncomfortable for a while in your new settings, am I right? Perhaps even questioning why you decided to go to school so far from home, away from your friends and families. Most of us get over this culture shock, but I guarantee all of you know at least one person who didn’t. That person inevitably ends up spending  most of their time trying to recreate the lifestyle that they lived before they came. Some of them might even switch schools to be closer to home, or maybe drop out altogether. Forget about the four years of high school that they spent dreaming about this freedom, these people now feel paralyzed by it and are unable to let go of the things that – in their mind – define themselves as people. Pity, right?

I think you can see where I am going with this. Of course one will feel culture shock to a degree when they pack up and move to a country thousands of miles away from their own. It’s impossible not to. But that culture shock can (and should!) wear off pretty quickly as you begin to accept the nuances of that culture and embrace the challenges of being immersed in it. And yet, I have seen many, many, (many) cases in which people come to live and teach abroad, only to feel varying degrees of misery because they are unable to truly embrace the lifestyle. Seems crazy, but you would be surprised how often it happens.

Invariably, these people spend most of their time trying to recreate the lifestyle that they lived back home, recruiting other expats to participate in this fabricated reality, and ultimately they abandon this alternate universe and return to the places from which they came. I used to wonder, who are these people and why did they decide to move abroad in the first place? But I have come to realize that culture shock, when you boil down, is a minor identity crisis. It’s like I described in the first paragraph, people tend to think of the hobbies and food and work that they do as defining them as a person. When these things become challenged, people react in different ways.

Since I don’t want you to become another casualty of culture shock, I have compiled some of my own coping mechanisms, ones that I have developed over these last 10 years. 

Tip #1: Do your research

This is probably obvious, but it really is important, especially the first time you move abroad. Make sure you and the culture of your chosen destination are at least compatible. But don’t stop there. Look for things that really interest you about that country, things that you are excited about getting involved in when you move there. DO NOT look for ways in which you can simply recreate the lifestyle you already live at home. Also, learn about any restrictions that may be imposed on your lifestyle and really reflect on how you would adapt. Up until recently, women couldn’t drive, for example. 

Tip #2: Explore

Once you get to your chosen destination, don’t wait for someone to show you around, or to recommend things, or (in cases where language barriers exist) to help you do things. Get out and figure out which buses go where, where you will shop, which restaurants you’d like to eat in, etc. Don’t be afraid to get lost. In fact, get lost! You need to develop a sense of confidence and independence in terms of getting around. The sooner the better.

Tip #3: Get some hobbies.

This is one of the most important things you can do, and it’s also where the dividends from tip #1 will pay out. Try to find some hobbies that are unique to the country that you live in, if possible; learning a new language being the most obvious. When I was in Japan, for example, I learned karate, Japanese, and I also joined a yoga studio. In China, I really got into mahjong. Of course, I’m not saying don’t continue with hobbies that you already have and are passionate about. I’m just saying make sure you make a conscious effort to not just do them on your own or with expats as though you were in your home country the whole time. At the very least, you can try and start your own travel blog! This is a great hobby that doubles as a reflection tool, and it’s also a good way to keep your friends and families updated on your experience.

Tip #4: Make friends!

Without a doubt, the most important tip I can give you. Get a girlfriend, get a boyfriend, go out with your coworkers, join a club, meet people in bars, or all of the above! Getting isolated is a death sentence for your life abroad. If you do, you might last longer than others, but in varying degrees of misery. Make friends with as many people from your new country as possible. They will teach you more than you can imagine and help you access the culture in a way you wouldn’t be able to do as an outsider, alone. I’m not saying don’t make fellow expat friends, but that will come naturally, so you don’t need to prioritize it. This list is all about being proactive to beat culture shock.

And on that note, I leave you to it. Make sure to read my article on resources to help you with the expat life to aid you further. But before I go, let me share one last thing with you. It’s a secret that I have learned over the last decade abroad: ultimately, the actual countries that you end up in matter very little in terms of the experience you will have. Sure, you might really love sushi or manga, in which case Japan seems like an obvious choice. But when it comes down to it, the people you meet and the quality of the relationships that you build will make or break your time abroad. They are also likely to be the only things that you remember and cherish years down the line. Corny, but true. 

What do you think about my important tips for battling culture shock? Did I leave anything out? If you have anything to add, send me an email at matthew@teachfortravel.com Also, don’t forget to check out my guides page for more information about teaching to travel!