Most people experience some form of culture shock when living abroad. Symptoms can include homesickness, irritability, and irrational behavior due to feelings of anxiety, isolation, and apprehension over integrating into a different culture. 

These feelings are to be expected as a person adjusts to their "new home." Students will be in a foreign environment with different surroundings and living conditions. Each day will present a new challenge that at first may seem overwhelming. This is a normal phase of adjustment. It may take a few days or weeks to become accustomed to the new way of life. Everyone adjusts to culture shock in different ways depending on their personality. Culture shock can be especially severe when a person is also experiencing jet lag.

There are ways to reduce the impact of culture shock:

• Learn about your host country ahead of time. 
• Before departing, try to prepare mentally for temporarily relocating overseas. If you plan for and anticipate challenges, assimilating into a new culture is easier. 
• Talk to past program participants. Email the OIP for an E-Advisor from your program.
• Remember to take pictures of family and friends as well as a few small token items from the U.S.
• Do not make hasty comparisons between the U.S. and a study abroad site.
• Once there, get involved with local groups and make new friends.
• Write down your thoughts in a journal, send postcards/letters home to family and friends, and encourage them to write to back.

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Travel Documents	Intercultural Communications
What to Bring	Racial and Ethnic Issues Abroad
When You Arrive	Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students
Health Insurance	Keeping a Journal
Health and Safety	Converting Measurements
Culture Shock	Communicating with Home
Host Families	Coming Home

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