While it can be fun and exciting to visit a new country, it can also be a little overwhelming at times. When you’re only planning to be in this new place for a short time, you might be anxious to absorb everything you possibly can. But if you’ll be spending a decent amount of time there, or even moving there, you might find yourself becoming slightly disillusioned.
When this happens, many people equate it to something called “culture shock”. Because living in such a different way can be hard to cope with, many people experience culture shock in one way or another. So to help ensure that any experience you have with these emotions are dealt with quickly and with little distress, here are three tips for avoiding culture shock when visiting a new country.
Learn About The Area Before You Get There
Your preparation for culture shock should begin before you even arrive at this new area. According to Sharell Cook, a contributor to Trip Savvy, a lot of culture shock can be minimized if you learn about what you might be in for before you arrive.
Some of the things you might want to make yourself familiar with before you arrive could include the infrastructure of the area, what sounds you might hear, how the smells might differ from what you’re used to, the ways people interact with one another, certain customs or religious traditions, how developed or impoverished the area is, how money works, and what you can do to keep yourself safe.
Get To Know The People Of This Country
For many people who experience quite a bit of culture shock when visiting a new place, their feelings can be intensified if they find it hard to understand or connect with the people of this area on a human level.
To help you in doing this, the government of Canada suggests that you spend time observing and learning about the people in this country. Ask you seek to understand how and why people act the way they do or what the history or purposes are behind certain customs and traditions, you’ll likely be able to more easily view the people of this country with your similarities in mind rather than your differences.
Try To Learn Some Of The Language
An aspect of culture shock that many people don’t anticipate is the isolation you can feel when you can’t communicate well with those around you. But according to Mandi Schmitt, a contributor to GoOverseas.com, learning some of the language of the areas you’re in can help you feel much more included.
If you’re going to be visiting somewhere new and are worried about experiencing culture shock, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for this and minimize its effects.
