Culture Shock: A Great Way to Comprehend a New Culture

By Khac Vinh Nguyen (06/19/2017)

 

Before studying oversea, students should not only prepare themselves with a required language background to keep up with a new life in new country, but we also should have an obvious study plan during the period of studying abroad. The study plan should be started with the questions like what we are going to study, how we are going to study, or why we decide to study overseas.  Admittedly, studying abroad is one of the most effective approach to perceive a deep understanding a new culture, and to enrich your life experiences. Therefore, being well prepared for your study with an obvious goal is a wise step for success. Additionally, being open mind and keeping a respectful attitude to the host country are a great factor to downplay the state of shock. As mentioned in the first paragraph of the article, “Culture Shock” by The Study Abroad Center in 2007 at University of California, “Another, even more subtle, responsibility you have is to remain open in order to become aware of similarities and differences, to learn rather than to judge. This can be the most rewarding experience in your education.” Indeed, living in a new country with completely different culture from your home country that means you certainly have to deal with many issues. It might be exhilarating, rewarding or even frustrating experiences. Some persons could have a view of culture shock when they travel or study abroad just because they are not willing to be open minded and not trying to take efforts to understand the new culture. Whereas, others may be shocked for the first time they come in, and then they can gradually get familiar with new culture and never in state of shock as a result of learning rather than judge. Indeed, if you accept to learn and adapt with new culture, you might benefit in some ways. In other words, if you do not try to follow new customs in a new nation, the percentage of difficulty in new life is certainly inevitable. Withdrawn from my real experience for the first time I traveled to Japan, when I was in Vietnam, being noisy in restaurant is considered normal in my country, however, I kept it as normal as I thought when I entered a restaurant in Japan and was loud with my friend during our dining time. 

As a result, people who was having a dinner at the restaurant looked at me with an unsatisfied attitude. According to the Culture Shock article: “It is important to be open toward the culture into which you are going, to try to discard stereotypes, and to read as much as you can about the culture before your departure.”

Generally, living in a new country is not as easy as we thought. Keeping a positive and willing attitude will help to overcome the challenges in life. To learn rather than to judge is the primary step for the following success. It is really significant to prepare an obvious plan before studying overseas. The more we take efforts, the better we are. Keep looking, do not settle.