Traveling Abroad: 3 Ways to Combat Culture Shock

Many times when students travel abroad for either a short or extended period of time, they experience some sort of culture shock. The feelings of culture shock can either be barely noticeable, or hardly tolerable, but the most important thing to remember is that the feelings of culture shock are completely normal! We have compiled a list of common feelings that students often express when traveling abroad and how those students dealt with the shock. Do you have some additional experiences? Feel free to share them in the comment section with us!

1. You become frustrated with new or different foods.

• Offer to cook a meal from your home country for your host family. This gesture will allow you to experience a bit of your home culture while also sharing it with your host family. Every country has a unique array of foods, but it is comforting when you can taste something from home every now and then!

2. You become discouraged when trying to speak German.

• Carry a dictionary with you and don't be afraid to use it when you don't know a word or are confused in conversation. This effort shows that you are trying to learn the language and do not want to depend on your English. Another way to overcome the language barrier is to practice! Make a deal with a German friend that you will only speak German to him or her. Let your friend practice English with you and then it's a win-win situation!

3. The smallest differences start to bother you. You overreact and don't understand why.

• Start a journal and write your feelings down every day. Perhaps this will help you understand your frustrations and work through them. It's OK to talk about your feelings with others and remember that differences are not good or bad - they are just different than your norm.

We encourage our students to integrate fully into the German life when they come to high school in Germany. By providing them avenues of support through the DFSR office, coordinators in their region throughout the country, and other students studying abroad, we hope that all students have a positive experience and cultural immersion into the day-to-day life of a German.

Have you had an experience with culture shock? Feel free to share it with us!

Preparing to Study Abroad: 5 Tips of Advice

Are you preparing to travel to Germany or another country for your studies abroad? Are you a bit anxious about the traveling and arrival process?

Here are five tips we have collected from our students and staff to make sure you are as prepared as possible for your travels abroad. Do you have another idea? Share it with us in the comment section below!

Alert your bank of your upcoming travels. 

You may only be traveling with one credit card or debit card, but in order for it to work abroad and for you to retrieve money as soon as you arrive to Germany, make sure your bank knows that you will be traveling and living abroad. Also, it is helpful to write down the emergency numbers for your credit cards in case they are lost- you can call and cancel immediately.

Share your email address with your family and friends.

The best way to stay in touch with family and friends initially will be through email. When you arrive to Europe, the time difference will make it difficult to get in touch with your family and you will be so busy adjusting to your new life that it may be hard to schedule a Skype date right away. Therefore, make sure you have everyone's email address so that you can at least send notes to your close family and friends!

Make copies of all important documents.

Make copies of all important documents including your passport, visa, credit cards, birth certificate, and travel plans so that your parents can have copies and so that you can keep one set in your luggage. If for some reason you lose your passport or credit card, you will have access to a copy that will in turn  help you replace it.

Bring a small gift for your host family. 

As a nice gesture and "thank you," a small gift is appropriate for your host family. Some examples could be a book about your hometown or a coffee mug from your high school. Presenting your host family with something small but thoughtful from your home country will be a great start to your relationship.

Don't forget to come with an open mind!

Besides all of the important paperwork, bringing your open mind when studying abroad is the most important thing to remember! When you arrive in your new country, the language will be new, the food will be different from home and the way of life may take time to adjust to. But always remember that these differences are the reason you are studying abroad- to be culturally immersed into a new life and a new way of seeing your surroundings. Gute Reise!

Do you have more ideas to share about your studies in Germany or in another country? Leave a comment in the section below or on our Facebook page!