How Foreign Students Can Overcome Culture Shock in Another Coun

Culture shock is the difficulty of people in adjusting to a new culture that is very different with their own culture. This is especially applicable for foreigners who would immigrate to another country, or study on a short-term or long-term basis in a foreign country. Culture shock is the first challenge or problem that a foreign student or international student would experience when he settles in another country to begin his studies. The international student has to find ways or solutions in overcoming the culture shock problem. This problem is aggravated by adjusting to the different academic settings that are different from his home country, the academic tasks that he has to perform as part of his course, and the language barriers of communicating with native English speakers.

However, the foreign student could overcome the culture shock problem if he knows the general guidelines or tips on how foreign students could overcome the culture shock problem. It is also preferable if the student would read and study about the general guidelines or tips for overcoming the culture shock problem before he actually goes to the country where he would study. The student could get help about overcoming culture shock from the agency or organisation that arranges his education requirements for foreign study. The agency would usually conduct a seminar or provide the student with printed materials on how foreign students could overcome culture shock. The student could also read and study from the various online articles in the Internet that provides free information about overcoming culture shock.

The general guidelines for students in overcoming culture shock include having an open mind and he should not be judgmental. He should remember that social conduct or practices that are not acceptable or unusual in his country maybe acceptable or normal in the country where he studies. It is preferable if the student would do some research, and read and study about the social norms in the country where he would study. The student should also make an effort to learn and speak the native language of the country. This would help him in overcoming language barriers and prevent misunderstandings.