Living in a new culture can be exciting, kickbacks, and intellectually stimulating. This can also be frustrating. It is one thing - to visit the country and to go further when you viewed all, and quite another - to live there and operate according to different, and sometimes mysterious set of rules. Participation in the exchange program provides a rare opportunity you start to learn a different society from within. But it involves certain responsibilities. The most important thing - to adapt behavior to the expectations of the home and the host country. You do not have to deny their own culture, but also to respect and that and the other. Another, more subtle, a responsibility that you carry should remain open to find out the similarities and differences, and to learn, not to judge. Be aware that this might be the most rewarding experience in your development.
People usually experience a lot of emotions, adapting to a foreign culture, excitement and interest in the new culture to depression and fear of the unknown.
The difficulties you are experiencing, as you get used to a new society can be the result of what is called a "culture shock." Most experts agree that culture shock is inevitable in some form or another. But getting used to the foreign culture and experience of hard times can be satisfied experience, and certainly worth the discomfort and extra effort.
One tends to get the impression that the "culture shock" - this is some disease that all pick up and after a certain length of time, dominates her, but it's true, is not always the case. There are people who go abroad and never recover from the disease despite the length of their stay. It - because the "culture shock" was actually caused by a mismatch of cultural relations, not a virus. And easily seen that the traveler who does not concentrate his or her thoughts, and makes no effort to try to understand a foreign culture is always going to be in a state of shock. These people are sitting at home, as if they are holding in their own ways, and they will never change!
One of the reasons for the negative reactions to the different culture - the desire to try something that is different and is considered as inferior. It is important to be open to the culture where you go to try to get rid of stereotypes, and read as much as you can about the culture before your departure. If you learn about many aspects of the country in which you live, you will better understand and appreciate their new environment much sooner. But even with such training is inevitable that you will experience some of the symptoms of culture shock. You may not realize that the frustration and emotions that you are experiencing are related to the culture shock, but when you start to remember, it is becoming obvious. If you understand what is actually happening to you, and think about its possible causes, you can reduce the effects of culture shock.
