No matter how much research you do, living in a foreign country for more than a few days is a roller coaster of emotions. From the food and transit, to the manners and the language, there's so much to learn in so little time. Oh, and your survival depends on it. The process is called “culture shock” and it's an integral part of travelling for an extended period of time. If you're already abroad (shout out to all of our newly arrived international students!) or plan on going someday, I hope this piece gives you an idea of what's to come.
Here are the eight stages of culture shock that I experienced during my Go Abroad experience this summer in Tokyo, Japan this summer:
Catherine - YouAlberta Contributor
Catherine is a 2016 BSc graduate (in Bio and English) who will be tackling a BEd in Secondary Education this September. She currently works at the Centre for Teaching and Learning and her passions include children’s health and flat-faced pets. When she isn’t eating or chuckling to herself, Catherine enjoys playing piano, exploring the river valley and spiralling into existential reflections while stargazing.
Nice article!
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