Just what is Culture Shock?

You arrive in the UK at your new University, and it’s great!

Meeting your classmates and teaching staff, settling into your brand new accommodation, settling into your course……. how amazing is this!? You have been wanting this for so long and looking forward to it, what a great opportunity!

But wait……. What’s this?…..

After a little while you start to feel overwhelmed, isolated, and confused by things you never even considered. The familiar things you are used to – friends, family, home – they seem completely out of reach, and you start to feel isolated and like you don’t understand anything. You start to question if you have made the right choice, and the urge to go back home and forget all about studying in a new country starts to become a more frequent thought……

This is culture shock.

The unexpected monster that creeps up on you out of the blue and makes you doubt you made the right choice. The feeling of excitement about coming to the UK to study and finally getting here can soon be followed by an overwhelming sense of confusion and isolation, with the added feeling of needing to retreat to home and familiarity.

Please tell me some good news…

Well there is good news! Culture shock is a completely normal reaction to have!

Most UK university websites have a section about culture shock – it really is normal!

The other good news is that it is generally a short-lived reaction, and most people get over it pretty quickly. Studies into culture shock and its impact on students who study abroad have led to the development of models to visualise their emotional journey  through culture shock and beyond.

Image taken from www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Preparation-and-Arrival/Facing-culture-shock

However, that is not to say it is not serious or that it just goes away by itself!

So….. what can I do to fight the culture shock monster?

There are lots of things you can do to counteract culture shock. The first thing is to face it and to not ignore it! Talk about it and don’t be ashamed – you are not alone!

Take a look at these great tips to help fight the unexpected monster!

1. Keep in touch with home – the internet makes it very easy to keep in touch with relatives, whether by online web calls or by chat functions. But don’t over do it! Too much home contact can make the transition of settling in more difficult than it needs to be. Find a good balance.

2. Familiar items – make sure you bring small personal, familiar and comforting items with you to give you that little sense of home when you get to the UK. Also, try and locate a food supplier nearby that can bring you that little taste of home.

3. Eat healthy, regularly, and exercise. Plus exercise is a great way to meet new people.

4. Talk to other international students – they do not have to be from your own culture, but will understand how you are feeling. Talking about your feelings can help, and you can also learn about different cultures and make great friends.

5. Take advantage of what your institution has to offer – this may be help and support, orientation and welcome programmes, student union societies, or simply communal areas where you may meet other students.

6. Faith communities – for some, linking with a faith groups is a great way to meet new people. Find the University chaplaincy who may be able to help put you in touch with local churches, mosques, synagogues or temples.

7. Most importantly, NEVER STOP TALKING! Find someone who will listen, and don’t become isolated.

Real Life Experience

Don’t just take our word for it! Read the blog from Denis Odera who is a third year student from Kenya, studying Computer Games Enterprise at the University of Portsmouth.

Useful Links
“I wasn’t prepared for the culture shock of being an international student” – The Guardian, 2016

UK Council for International Student Affairs – Facing Culture Shock 

British Council – Overcoming Culture Shock