Being in this role has definitely challenged my flexibility, mainly because at any given time, I am a resource to students, a travel guide, a photographer, a translator, or simply just someone to talk to when a student is experiencing culture shock., I originally chose Paris because I thought I wanted to go the fashion industry, but after taking the French Culture and Civilization course, as well as the Oenology course, I discovered a strong passion for French culture, specifically the anthropology of gastronomy and oenology (I swear it’s actually a thing)., Explore your neighborhood, go to a different museum every weekend, make international friends, absorb as much of the culture as you possibly can—this experience won’t last forever. 7.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2016/01/25/cea-paris-alumni-spotlight-amy-johnsonParis is a city rich with culture, history, and art, and the people of Paris match that vibrant and diverse atmosphere., Racism toward African migrants in France and brown Muslims tended to be much more prevalent from what I observed, and it was a bit of a culture shock internalizing that my presence as a Black American in France came with certain privileges., I also found some amazing spaces in Paris that showed off the country’s rich and diverse Black culture!, Paris is steeped in Black culture and history.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2021/11/12/black-in-paris-my-study-abroad-storyThe Culture!, The first thing that shocked me in Nicaragua was the liveliness of the streets and the people., So if you’re thinking of taking a weekend trip out of Costa Rica, I would definitely recommend spending a few days in Nicaragua and taking in the culture, getting to know the people, all on the cheap.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/04/03/a-weekend-in-nicaraguaAs someone who is fascinated by the relationship between culture and geography, seeing such an abrupt transition of cultures after traveling such a small distance was truly astonishing., However, traveling to Morocco is not without challenges, as the vastly different culture in comparison to Europe and the United States can be a hard adjustment for many., This is a culture shock that many Westerners experience when traveling outside Europe or North America and is often a source of frustration.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2022/12/17/morocco-why-you-should-go-outside-europe-while-studying-abroad-in-barcelonaI would have been having an internal frenzy of culture shock if it weren’t for the exhaustion., All the anxiety and culture shock that I insisted I didn’t have manifested itself in a moment of frustration that day.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2016/02/08/my-french-fumble-the-start-of-study-abroad-in-the-alpsThe life here, the people here, the food, the culture—the London is all apart of what made this whole experience abroad something more magical than I expected., With new friends, new culture shocks, new experiences, new memories, this experience traveling, studying, and living has made me into the person I’ve always wanted to be.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2017/01/20/reflections-abroad-how-london-changed-meOf course, it’s important to learn your supervisor’s communication style, which might differ from yours as a result of culture (see: virtual culture shock) and preference, to make sure you’re asking questions at the appropriate time and in a professional manner., In a virtual internship setting, it’s even more important to remain accountable and hold yourself to deadlines, make sure you’re staying on task, and integrate into the company culture.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2020/07/07/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-virtual-internship-a-path-to-successTo keep this blog from turning into an Italian lesson, which I would not want to subject to anyone, I want to talk about the Italian culture as I have observed from living in Rome., The culture shock and the language barrier here get easier everyday and become more and more part of our normal, usual life.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/10/22/italian-immersion-and-cultural-observationsDaily Practices that Help with Homesickness and Culture Shock Moving to a new country to study abroad can feel incredibly daunting, and upon arrival, you may feel the effects of homesickness and/or cultural adjustment., As a U.S. student studying abroad in Florence , I have experienced feelings of homesickness and culture shock but also used these four accessible practices to limit their effects: 1.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2023/11/10/practices-that-help-with-mental-health-wellbeing-abroadThe culture shock was inevitable, but I quickly found the best way to soften the blow was to be open about the barriers I’m facing, and ask questions from the absolute best teachers: locals., In addition to Justine’s linguistic help, there has been no shortage of new French friends excited to teach us about their culture.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2021/10/11/locals-are-life-savers-navigating-the-french-rivieraFrom where I stand, this shows quite a lot about the relationship between the Parisian culture and how highly they hold the culture of art., It opens the doors to understanding a culture on a level that is so much deeper and profound than any other outlet., I was certainly shocked to discover a connection between the opening of this exhibition and just how much the Parisian mindset has changed within the past decade to adapt to modern concepts such as those embedded within the exhibit.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/11/14/the-parisian-mystiqueThrown into an unfamiliar culture and environment, one is forced to develop and understand new perspectives on life., In order to mitigate the more difficult stages of culture shock, it is essential to maintain a more carefree attitude and with that, consistently remind myself to do the following: Stop trying to be perfect As I dive head-first into an entirely new setting, creating expectations and worrying about what's to come will cause more harm than good., Granted I am having the time of my life, I've also found myself worrying about the upcoming culture shock more times than not.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2023/02/21/my-overarching-goal-for-studying-abroadBut it’s especially tricky if you’ve gone for a semester or a year, getting used to a new time zone, a new language, a new apartment, and a whole new culture., But the same culture shock you experienced when you first touched the warm Mediterranean sand on the Greek coast has a reversal effect: re-entry shock is real, but definitely possible to minimize with some of these tips., Don’t fight the reverse culture shock You’ll feel the re-entry shock coming, so you’ll have to embrace it., But re-entry shock goes beyond that., It’s hard to describe in words exactly what re-entry shock is; it’s different for everyone.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2020/05/05/adjusting-to-life-after-studying-abroadSince I was not used to this back in the states it was a complete culture shock for me, but I figured that the best thing for me to do was to get out there and see what the city had to offer., I am truly happy I am living in this beautiful city filled with culture, fashion, technology, beautiful parks, exciting events and most important a city where it has open its doors to me and let me discover not only it's beauty, potential and growth but also the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/10/03/my-first-impressions-shanghai-chinaBarcelona is famous for many different aspects of its culture; the incredible food, the wonderful music, the impressive architecture, the beautiful beaches, and the rich Catalan history., For a Catalonian person the club is much more than just a sports team, it represents a huge part of their culture., We were shocked at how empty the stadium was (and how close are seats were) so close to the start of the game, but it seemed to miraculously fill up with just minutes to go.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2014/01/07/fc-barcelona-camp-nou-and-soccer-in-barcelona-spainWhile I felt slight culture shock and disbelief from being in Ireland for the first month or so, I never felt homesick; and now that I’m back in New York, I have been able to look back and know that Ireland was truly the ideal location for me––and it very well could be for you, too., With any country for a possible experience abroad, there are always factors to consider, like the culture, weather and whether or not you can picture yourself there., Craic & Culture I’m all about enjoying life and having fun, but I do have sides to me that differ from this persona: one that can be shy when meeting new people, and another that is serious when it comes to academics., Boy, are they interested in learning more about our own culture and where we are from or what!
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2019/06/03/don't-know-where-to-study-abroad-why-ireland-may-be-ideal-for-youIt was scary to realize that I could not answer their questions…a part of what I was signing up for is experiencing a new culture firsthand., A Gentle Arrival One of the aspects that CEA CAPA is very involved in is the arrival process, and thank goodness because their support eased the intimidation of taking on a new living situation, city, country, culture, and language., They discussed in depth subjects such as: Culture and culture shocks in France How to be involved in the community here What support is available for us An abundance of information on life in Aix, our new home Aisling and Isabelle both came from a background of living or studying in Aix-en-Provence so my study abroad group and I were immediately given a local’s perspective—something that can take years to acquire.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/08/05/study-abroad-pre-departure-to-arrival-in-aix-en-provence-franceIt's not just about the groceries; it's about immersing yourself in the local culture, experiencing the vibrant atmosphere, and interacting with the friendly vendors., A big part of Sydney's culture is food, which I love., I believe I have become more diverse by trying different cuisines and learning the culture of each restaurant., One surprising thing that shocked me was how eco-friendly every restaurant is, from wooden cutlery to paper straws.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/05/28/eating-on-a-budget-while-studying-abroad-in-sydney-australiaAdversity I faced: There are certain challenges one expects to overcome when studying abroad: culture shock, speaking a new language, different educational system – however, thinking back one year later, the biggest adversity I faced abroad was one I never imagined: a pandemic!, After being sent home, I felt every emotion imaginable: anger, depression, longing, reverse culture shock... the list does not end.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2021/01/21/study-abroad-reflection-one-year-laterEveryone around me was speaking French, but the thing that was the most shocking for me was the graffiti., It’s a part of the city’s culture, it doesn’t take away from it.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/10/31/grenoble's-graffiti