It is common to experience culture shock when living in a foreign country.

For me I had went to Papua New Guinea and spent two months living there. It was a beautiful place with an amazing culture, but as an American I had to do some readjusting. There was new food, new music, new language, new values, new lifestyles, and not to mention no wifi.

I struggled not having the comforts I have had my entire life. I had to lean on God a lot for comfort but also be able to really appreciate the things that were different. That is why it is useful to understand why you might feel a bit insecure or anxious.

You are faced with a different climate, values, attitudes, lifestyles, languages, and political and religious beliefs, which can for sure be a little overwhelming. Understanding differences and their reasons gives you more empathy and tolerance to living somewhere new. For coping with culture shock it is important to accept what you’re feeling. Don’t hermit away in your bed under the covers, but don’t force yourself to step outside of your comfort zone if you might need a little extra time to adjust either.

One really good thing I learned was, flexibility. You have to be a slinky and be able to be stretched. Having a good attitude and an open mind will help you to adjust and see the beauty in everything. Just because something is different doesn’t mean it’s wrong or should always be considered scary. You might find it easy to focus on what you miss like familiar foods and customs from back home. Comparing the places wont help you settle in when you’re experiencing culture shock. Instead, focus on the good things around you and all that you can learn. Homesickness can play a significant role in culture shock, so be sure to stay contact with your loved ones back home. Remember that discovering and learning new things is why you wanted to come anyways. Once the initial shock is over, you can really enjoy the new things the world has to offer.