Four ideas to help you immerse yourself in your host culture.
Study abroad is easy to get excited about! Not only are you going to see the world, meet new people, and explore a different culture and language, but you’re also earning credit toward your major — a total win-win.
While the excitement is great, it’s also important to remember that you’re going to be adjusting to an entirely new culture, and that might bring some hiccups. Before you go abroad with the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), it can be helpful to think about how you will integrate into your new home. How will you get to know the locals, practice the language, and move past the inevitable embarrassing moments as you learn to communicate and find your way?
Here are some strategies to help you integrate into your new home abroad.
Eat locally
One of the best ways to learn about a new place is to do as the locals do, and nothing beats trying the local cuisine.
While you might be tempted to stick with the foods you know and love from home, encourage yourself to try something new every week. Who knows — you might even find a new favorite.
You might have to adjust to different meal times, too. Many countries eat dinner much later than most people in the U.S.
If you have food allergies or preferences, such as following a vegetarian diet, you might need to do a little research beforehand to make sure you can stick to your dietary needs.
No matter how you’re navigating the food scene in your new home, eating the local food is a great way to experience the culture in an authentic way and make living abroad feel real.
Learn the language
Unless you’re studying in England, Australia, New Zealand, or another English-speaking country, you’re going to face a language barrier.
While it’s not every student’s goal to become fluent (and it doesn’t have to be to have a great study abroad), being able to order food, read posted signs, or direct your taxi driver to your dorm in your host country’s language can make your study abroad feel a lot easier.
USAC offers language courses for every kind of learner, whether you want to deep dive into the grammar structure or just want to learn how to ask directions. No matter which version you choose, practicing the local language to any degree can help you feel more comfortable as you settle into your host culture.
Get involved
You never know what kind of experiences you might have if you get out of your comfort zone. Take a walk in a nearby park, stroll through your neighborhood, or try a different grocery store next time you need to shop. You could also visit a local historical site or museum, or check out a local event going on.
If getting to know your host city is your top priority for your study abroad, maybe that means planning a small outing once a week to a new location in town. If making friends is your goal, perhaps you’ll want to join a campus club.
For most students, studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Take full advantage of it, and don’t stay in your room all the time.
Expect culture shock
No matter how much you prepare for study abroad, you’re bound to have a moment when all the “newness” becomes overwhelming. It’s completely normal to experience culture shock, especially if it’s your first time traveling internationally or living on your own.
Remember that there’s no specific time frame in which you need to overcome culture shock — everyone experiences things at different paces. The more you can immerse yourself in your new culture, the easier it gets and the less foreign everything starts to feel.
Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to learn about a different culture and let it change you, so embrace the differences. Use your experiences as a chance to learn, and you’ll become a global citizen who is open-minded and adaptable to any situation.
