Interning in a new professional environment in your own country is one thing. But interning in a new culture and country can leave you feeling both exhilarated and terrified. What is it about change that makes us uncomfortable or even fearful? Is it the idea that the unknown can be worse than we even imagine or is it that our imaginations get the best of us?
Before you start to travel, there are basic cultural truths that you take for granted. You even believe them to be universal truths because you’ve known nothing else outside of your cultural bubble. An example would be as simple as thinking that the perception of geography is the same in every country. Such as how many continents are there? As an American citizen, I was taught there are seven, and I assumed the rest of the world did, too. Once I left the United States to intern abroad in South America I learned that locals had a very different concept of geography. So much so that they believe there are only five continents. This boggled my mind when trying to discuss geography with university students there. I realized that this was a completely different aspect of cultural shock that I had never even expected. You expect the food to be different. Maybe the language. But the geography? That was something I wasn’t prepared for and just one example of many.
There are 4 stages of culture shock:
1. The honeymoon stage where everything is new and exciting. Oh, this food is so great and this architecture is spectacular.
2. Frustration which can even turn into a crisis. Why can’t anyone seem to understand my accent? Why doesn’t the bank, post office, or even transportation system work as well as back home? You compare everything.
3. Acceptance. You realize that you can’t compare your new home to your own country or it will continue to drive you insane. This is the way it is and you aren’t going to change it. If you can’t beat them, join them, eh?
4. The final stage is mastery. What language barrier? You start picking up the local lingo and ordering food like a local. Tourists ask you for directions and you gladly tell them the right directions. You’re settled into your second home away from home.
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Here are a few ways you can be sure to not let cultural shock get the best of you while abroad:
1. Stop comparing your country to your new temporary home.
Comparing the two cultures causes nothing but frustration and negativity towards one or the other. For example, the difference in customer service in a Latin American culture such as Colombia shouldn’t be looked down upon but accepted for what it is. It may be slower or seemingly less attentive but that’s because, culturally, that works for them. The fast-paced service component isn’t a priority and the environment is more relaxed for the employee. Whether or not you approve is irrelevant - it won’t change just for you. You have to accept and appreciate cultural differences for what they are.
2. Make friends and build a network.
No matter where you are in the world, it’s important to have a group of friends. The connections you make abroad will stay with you for a lifetime, so make sure you don’t get so focused on your internship that you forget to meet people. A strong network of friends is a resource to help you handle culture shock. Find people that you trust and enjoy spending time with. If they are also international you’ll be able to bond over your shared experiences, and if they’re local, you’ll have a great resource for travel and learning.
3. Have a couple of expat friends
Other expats will understand your culture shock and complaints for those times when you do need to vent. They are going to have a similar take and perspective on the situation and it helps to have someone that gets where you are coming from figuratively and literally. But be careful not to use this as a negative bubble where all you do is complain. Remember why you went abroad for your internship in the first place.
4. Keep in touch with those from home.
Going abroad and staying connected has improved dramatically over the last 5 years. There are various methods, apps, and social media sources you can use to keep in touch with home. WhatsApp is a free smartphone app you can use for messaging internationally and now it even has phone calls. Viber is another free app that allows free global calls as long as you have WIFI. If you have an iPhone, you can make free Facetime calls as long as it is iPhone to iPhone and you are connected to WIFI. And as you already know, Skype and Facebook are great ways to stay in the loop.
5. Throw yourself into the culture
Acknowledge and participate in the positive aspects of the culture that you wouldn’t have experienced in your own country. There are always components of every culture that you can learn from. How about the exercise-oriented city of Melbourne? The financially savvy and progressive island of Hong Kong? Or the trust and relationship-oriented business structure of Latin America? There are good qualities and cultural characteristics to be picked up from every destination you go to.
6. Stay busy and active
When you first move abroad, it’s important to keep busy with events and local customs! Consider joining a club or team, and try to attend as many of the organized meetups as possible, as this is a great way to meet people. Many cities offer free tours, and have museums that focus on the local culture and history. Get out and explore, and you’ll quickly start to feel more at home.
7. Talk About It
When you’re in a new country and culture, sometimes it’s easy to forget that other people are going through the same experience. It’s crucial to reach out to your roommates, classmates, or fellow interns, as they're a great resource for overcoming culture shock and homesickness.
As an intern abroad with The Intern Group, you’ll also have access to TalkSpace, which is a completely anonymous online support from a licensed therapist. Because jumping headfirst into a new culture can be stressful, TalkSpace provides an additional level of support. Talking through all the emotions is an excellent way to handle culture shock.
8. Research
As an international traveler, your mantra should be “know before you go.” Make sure to do enough research about your destination to prepare yourself for the main differences between there and your home country. The more prepared you are, the better you’ll be able to handle the culture shock of living in a new place.
Ready to experience a new culture? Apply now for an international internship!