Beyond Dreams: Understanding Culture Shock While Studying Abroad

Study abroad is a dream of almost all the youth in India today. There are myriad reasons why students choose to study abroad rather than studying in their own country. When you study in a foreign university, the very studying abroad experience is phenomenally enriching as it opens your mind to new perspectives and a whole new world of opportunities.

But what about culture shock? Inertia is a theory from physics, which most might be familiar with. It’s not just about objects—our mind also has inertia. Our mind constantly seeks comfort, and when situations and the environment change, the mind takes some time to adapt and get used to it. That’s overcoming culture shock, simply put into words.

Culture Shock: A Reality for International Students

Culture shock is not something that exists merely on paper. A youngster already away from everything familiar would be going through various stages of international student challenges and adjusting to foreign culture.

The initial stage, or the honeymoon stage as it is called, is when everything seems so beautiful and exciting. You get to see new places, eat new food, and interact with people from an entirely different culture and language. But this does not last long, as everything comes with a time stamp.

The next stage could be a bit confusing and hard to navigate, especially if you weren’t assisted by the best study abroad tips and consultants.

The Crisis Stage: When Culture Shock Peaks

Crisis and frustration may seem very negative, but as motivational gurus say, without crisis there is no growth. Crisis challenges, purifies, and molds you into your best. Even in the case of culture shock, this stage is crucial, and that’s why it is important to be properly prepared for it.

Most top overseas consultants assist students who plan to study in countries like New Zealand, the UK, Australia, Ireland, or other countries in Europe. This is the stage when students often get frustrated and hit rock bottom in their morale due to issues such as language barriers, customs, and even occasional cravings for homemade desi food.

When the initial excitement fades away, homesickness abroad and loneliness kick in. Homesickness is not as homely as it sounds and can indeed cause immense psychological issues, which in extreme cases may manifest as mental health issues while studying abroad.

Common Symptoms of Culture Shock

• Emotional: Homesickness, anxiety, irritability, loneliness
• Physical: Fatigue, digestive issues, sleep problems
• Social: Withdrawal from social interactions, difficulty communicating
• Cognitive: Confusion about social norms or rules

Causes of Culture Shock

• Language differences – difficulty expressing yourself
• Different social norms – manners, gestures, and etiquette may feel strange
• Food & lifestyle – missing home food, climate, or daily routines
• Education or work environment – teaching styles or workplace culture may differ
• Mind’s inertia – our brain seeks comfort; change requires mental adaptation

These causes highlight cultural differences abroad that every student must be prepared for.

The Adjustment Stage: Learning to Adapt Abroad

Fight or flight — that’s basic human instinct. When confronted with something challenging, you can either choose to fight back or avoid confronting it. Most problems vanish the moment you decide to face them.

Once you start adjusting to a new culture and find remedies to overcome your boredom, loneliness, and overcoming homesickness, you will start noticing visible changes in your outlook toward the very problems that, a few days back, caused struggles for you. Confront the reality.

Most European study-abroad agencies prepare their clients through systematic training prior to living in a foreign country as a student.

How to Overcome Culture Shock

• Stay Open & Curious: See differences as cross-cultural learning opportunities
• Learn the Language / Local Customs: Even small efforts help you integrate
• Stay Connected: Talk to family or friends from home for support
• Build a Routine: Helps your mind adjust and reduces stress
• Meet New People / Join Groups: Social interactions speed up cultural adaptation for students
• Practice Self-Care: Exercise, sleep, and eat well to reduce emotional strain

The Adaptation Stage

This is the final stage of overcoming culture shock. In this stage, you are as confident as a king. Having overcome the struggles, which were mostly creations of your own subconscious, you now feel much relieved and ready to face any challenges that come before you.

Now you are ready and fit for the new culture. Your student life abroad becomes fulfilling, and you can fully enjoy the benefits of international education.

Ready to conquer culture shock and thrive abroad? Let Jubeerich guide you