We have all learned about how moving to a new country will lead to a shock of culture, but how can you resolve it? Exposure to a new world and community impacts everyone differently for the very first time. Some individuals tend to have mixed feelings about having left their comfort zone after the initial excitement of being in a new location and experiencing a new community.
In general, the majority of students studying abroad who move to countries such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia do not generally struggle with cultural shock as much. Yes, going abroad and separating yourself from the familiar is always difficult. But the most difficult part of adapting to life abroad in these countries is always understanding the language, finding out how to use the local transportation system, or mastering how to communicate well. On the other hand, in nations where the standard of living or culture is drastically different from what students are used to, those who choose uncommon places to study abroad may have a more difficult time getting through each stage of culture shock.
Russia, for instance, is a very different country from the United States or other Western nations, as you might imagine. It's one of the most interesting places to go abroad to study. Though breaking onto the global stage, it still provides a more unfamiliar experience in Western Europe than your regular curriculum. If you want to study abroad in a "off-the-beaten-path" country, make sure you prepare yourself mentally by listening to the following words of advice on how to deal with cultural shock.
