A rough guide to dealing with cultural differences and culture shock.

This is an integral by-product of studying abroad. Anyone who spends time in another country will invariably have to deal with cultural differences in their adopted country during their studies. As each country (and indeed region) has it’s own eccentricities, we have produced a broad 5-point guide to coping with these differences, rather than anything too specific (anyone with more specific tips for particular countries or cultures is welcome to comment however!):

1). Patience is a virtue

No given person will integrate into any situation on the spot and, as such, it is unreasonable to expect this of yourself. It is normal to feel anxious in a new environment, so allow yourself the time you need to adapt and do not feel that there should be a timescale to feel truly relaxed. For example, going to a Dublin college university you may want to spend some time familiarising yourself with the Temple Bar area of Dublin. If studying in Brighton, a trip to the Volks on Madeira drive may put you at your ease.

2). Be good to yourself

Excessive drinking or lack of a balanced and healthy diet can excacerbate feelings of anxiety, as can a disrupted sleep pattern. In short, eat well, try to formulate a healthy sleep pattern and don’t overdo the nightlife too much!

3). Don’t be afraid not to have all the answers

It is perfectly normal to feel confused in a different culture. Most people are open to discussing differences in their culture & talking to people is the best way to learn. This can also be a great way of integrating and going beyond the “safety zone” of purely socialising with people of the same background as yourself.

4) Keep smiling

A sense of humour and a positive outlook go a long way in any situation.

5) Don’t underestimate your own achievements

Remember why you chose to study abroad in the first place. Learning is both a constant and gradual process. Every day that you spend in a new country, you are learning, whether consciously or not.

Studying abroad has the ability to be one of the most memorable experiences life has to offer

People from all disciplines, artists, academics, business specialists can all gain much from living in another culture for some or all of the duration of their studies and it can go on to have a profound influence on their future achievements. That said, there are of course many pitfalls and questions to be asked.

Over the next few posts, we at internationalcourses.org will be doing our best to offer guidance on these.

Firstly, let’s look at the topic of choosing a university:

It is all too easy to be drawn towards the big name universities in whichever country you choose to study in. First, take into account whether this is the right institution for the course you have selected. Some smaller institutions can actually provide excellent tuition in a particular academic discipline, so research is key here.

Have a good look at a university’s provision for foreign students. It is important that you will be able to access the support you need when you are there. A university that takes a high number of international students each year is likely to be better-equipped to deal with any problems or questions you may have once you are there.