Once confronted with a new we always react on it. Scientists proofed that people who are traveling abroad for a long time experience cultural shock which may last for few months. During this time our reaction to a new culture undergo a predictable sequence of transformations.

At first everything seems exciting and even much better than at home! The people are nicer, environment is cleaner and so on. This is a tourist stage when people don’t stay long enough to confront problems and experience cultural shock. All you do is enjoy the surroundings and admire new culture. Depending on a person this stage can last from couple of days to couple of months.

During next period the real problems begin. You might find some things unfamiliar and frustrating, you might feel lonely and eventually start missing home. This is the time when you look for people from your own country. You get together and complain about new culture, inconveniences, rules and regulations you are confronted with. You remember bright moments from your motherland and perceive country of your new residence through stereotypes.

Now is the time to either pull yourself together and adjust to the new environment, or to move back home. Everyone has it’s own recipes of how to deal with difficulties, but some general tips can make this process easier.
Firstly, the key to successful integration is language, language and once again language! The faster you learn it the faster you are included in the social environment. You start to understand what is going on around you and form your own opinion about it. Then you meet locals and eventually make new friends. They will admire you efforts and help you out in case you need  it. Many immigrants find it easier to integrate there own culture into the new one. It’s good as long as it does not lead to strong differentiation, after all you try to integrate not to separate. Probably the best advise is to try to stay positive!

If you are able to go through this process, you become a new person, bicultural with a an access to the wisdom and experience of both cultures. You are a tough person with a strong competitive advantage over many. Well, anyway, everyone finds their own pluses and minuses in bicultural identity.

The biggest challenge will be when you come back to your own country. The trick is that your family and friends expect you to be same old they used to know. They don’t consider how much you have went through, learned and changed. You might be misunderstood and feel like a stranger in your own country.

But if you are open-minded and curious individual, with a good sense of humor and a strong sense of self the transition will be easier for you. Don’t get scared before you tried something! There are always right people who will support you and help you out if your are in troubles.
What is life all about anyways?! Everything is worth trying!
So, are you ready?

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