How to Cope with Culture Shock and Homesickness

By: Alexa Levy

Studying abroad can be a daunting슬롯사이트�frankly, even terrifying슬롯사이트�adventure. Leaving behind what슬롯사이트�s familiar to embrace the unknown is a lot easier said than done. My first study abroad experience was almost on a whim, without knowing anyone who would be there, and I슬롯사이트�ll admit, as the departure date loomed closer, I felt a mix of excitement and dread. But now, as someone who슬롯사이트�s studied abroad twice, I can assure you, there슬롯사이트�s nothing to fear.

When I first arrived in Rome, Italy, I experienced a feeling I hadn슬롯사이트�t fully anticipated: culture shock. Suddenly being immersed in a completely different culture, language, and lifestyle can be overwhelming. Culture shock is defined as 슬롯사이트�the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.슬롯사이트� For me, that feeling was very real. Having never been to Europe before, I suddenly felt isolated, uncomfortable, and as though I슬롯사이트�d landed on a new planet.

Most people feel something similar when they first arrive. It슬롯사이트�s normal슬롯사이트�and it슬롯사이트�s also a big part of growth and experiencing something genuinely new. After a few weeks in Rome, I began to settle in, and that initial feeling of shock started to fade. I found myself adapting, learning bits of Italian, understanding local customs, and, most importantly, noticing new things about myself. I was discovering a version of myself who was more independent, resilient, and resourceful than I슬롯사이트�d known.

Of course, with new growth came the pangs of homesickness. I missed my friends, family, and the familiarity of home. But I found ways to manage those feelings. Whenever I felt down, I슬롯사이트�d do something simple but grounding: I슬롯사이트�d journal, go shopping for ingredients to try cooking a local dish, explore the city with music in my headphones, sketch in a beautiful spot, or call a loved one back home. Little things like these helped me feel connected and grounded.

After Rome, I traveled to Barcelona, Spain, where I faced some of the same feelings of culture shock and homesickness again. However, having been through it once, I knew I could get through it a second time. Every challenge became easier to navigate, and each new city offered unique experiences that ultimately enriched me.

There are ups and downs, shocks and surprises, but studying abroad is worth every emotion. It슬롯사이트�s an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and unforgettable memories. So, if you슬롯사이트�re preparing to go abroad, know that the journey won슬롯사이트�t always be easy, but it will be transformative.

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