Dealing with Culture Shock

Expats moving overseas or working abroad will almost certainly experience some degree of culture shock. Whether completely lost in translation, adapting to the frenetic pace of a big city, or struggling to get used to different systems of religion and politics, relocation takes some getting used to.

More than anything, expats overcoming culture shock will find there’s no such thing as a black-and-white comprehensive guide to the ins and outs of settling in. Acclimatisation exists in a permanent greyscale.

Peruse the following articles about cultural customs, eccentric etiquette and learning languages to better prepare for living or working overseas.

Articles about overcoming culture shock

General

• Why culture shock is good for you

• Moving abroad for love: being an expat in your partner's home country

• Expat adjustment: the second settling-in

• Beating loneliness as an expat

• Managing expat communication – a balancing act

• Cultural intelligence matters

• 4 ways to find your feet when moving abroad

• Why sport is a great icebreaker when living abroad

Culture shock in Europe

• 9½ things you need to know before moving to France

• Study abroad in Spain: how to make the most out of your time

• Northern exposure: surviving winter in the Nordics as an expat

• Got light? The importance of sunlight while living in the Nordics

• Four things to know before you move to the Netherlands

Culture shock in the Middle East

• Religion and worship in Saudi Arabia

• The pros and cons of living in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

• Ramadan for expats in the Middle East

Culture shock in Asia

• Six ways to survive (and thrive) as a vegan expat living in Thailand

• Learning to speak Thai: the ins and outs of tackling the Thai language

• Six steps to tapping into local culture in Southeast Asia

• Street smarts: a guide to eating at a hawker centre in Singapore

• Surviving Jakarta: An expat's account of culture shock in Indonesia

• What to expect when moving to Delhi: advice from an expat and cross-cultural expert

• Kimchi and culture shock in South Korea