{"id":1534,"date":"2016-10-13T15:48:14","date_gmt":"2016-10-13T15:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sinews.es\/?p=1534"},"modified":"2022-07-05T06:59:04","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T06:59:04","slug":"when-studying-abroad-is-not-as-fun-as-you-hoped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sinews.es\/es\/when-studying-abroad-is-not-as-fun-as-you-hoped\/","title":{"rendered":"When Studying Abroad is not as fun as you hoped"},"content":{"rendered":"

Studying abroad has become more and more popular during the last decade. In 2009 there were 3.7 million international students worldwide. Comparing this figure with those from previous generations, an exponential growth can be observed: in 1975 there were only 0.8 million (OECD, 2009). Most students who decide to go to another country are looking forward to interacting with different cultures and understanding others\u2019 beliefs and values.\u00a0However, are we always prepared to embrace diversity?<\/b><\/p>\n

Moving abroad is similar in some ways to many other transitions: changing jobs, finding a new house or starting a new relationship. Generally, we start with a lot of energy and excitement. We are eager to try different foods, learn new words in a foreign language and find all the cool places in the city. This phase is typically called the Honeymoon stage (Lysegaard, 1955; Paige 1993) but it could also be called the Tourist stage. In a sense, we are still only tourists paying attention to the superficial details of culture: clothes, food, monuments. However, tourists eventually will go back home to find the familiar environment comfortable and relaxing.<\/p>\n

Does this mean that everybody has to be euphoric at the beginning?<\/strong> Of course not: maybe it is your first time abroad and you are finding all the new stimuli overwhelming, maybe you miss your loved ones too much, etc. If this is your case, why not try to soothe yourself with the things that help you feel better at home? And remember, if it doesn\u2019t improve, it is always ok to ask for help.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, you are craving a familiar plate of mac \u2018n cheese and you run to the supermarket to buy the ingredients. However, when you get there you realize they don\u2019t have the same brands you have back at home. Moreover, they don\u2019t have many choices of cheese and you find them all tasteless.<\/p>\n

Culture Shock doesn\u2019t normally appear this way: frequently it is an accumulation of frustration and anxiety due to living in an unfamiliar atmosphere. It is common that it even appears when you already seem adjusted to your new routine. It can be useful to understand the process of Cultural Adjustment as being on a roller coaster: when you are already adjusted to eating time tables you might be annoyed by people always being late, etc. You are constantly going up and down on your roller coaster.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>