5 tips for dealing with culture shock

Trust us when we say that culture shock while studying abroad is real. It has happened to all of us: You are walking down a beautiful street on a quiet afternoon, when a surreal feeling hits you, like a flash of vertigo – – Or maybe you are standing in line at the supermarket and the guy behind you is way too close to you – “... And of course, we cannot forget the inevitable situation of finding yourself in a conversation with a girl who is literally and you realize with horror that you have no idea what she just said... and the nervous laughter arrives.

As human beings, we all have the capacity to adapt to any new situation or environment; we are “programmed” to assimilate novelties quickly. It is for this reason that studying and living abroad is, in fact, much less difficult than people might think. But there are also those rare flashes of existential clarity — those moments — that can evoke a whole range of emotions such as admiration, pride, joy... even those found on the other side of the spectrum like fear, anxiety, and loneliness.

We understand that our Spanish students may occasionally face homesickness or culture shock and that these are common in the experience of learning abroad. Therefore, if you find yourself in Spain or Latin America, here are some tips to help you adapt to your destination quickly and effortlessly.

1. Get Involved

You have finally arrived at the destination of your dreams. You have spent the money, used the energy, and invested the time. So now that you are here, it is definitely the time to stay in bed or make excuses. Get involved: Sign up for all the activities your Enforex school offers, join expat Facebook groups, and find out about their events. Maybe that classmate will invite you on a day trip with them and their host family – awesome! – The more you immerse yourself in your studies abroad, the more confidence you will have (both in yourself and in your new Spanish language skills), the richer your experiences will be, and the lower the chance of feeling grief or boredom (it’s one of the main causes of loneliness... you know, according to science).

2. Find People with Similar Interests:

It’s easy to feel like a misplaced foreigner when you don't have anyone in your environment to relate to. That’s why it is key to search for people with similar interests and personalities. Because in those times when you feel homesick, there is no better cure than spending time with people who . We all need a home away from home, right? Now, we are not advising you to only hang out with your compatriots (to do that, it’s better to stay home). The fun is in relating to people who do not belong to your culture. A great way to do this is to participate in a : you'll be in a venue where you can chat half the time in English and the other half in Spanish. It is not only a great way to improve your Spanish (Want to learn the local slang? This is the best way!), but you will also make new friends. Meetup.com is another great way to meet both local and international people in your residential area. This website organizes many events based on the interests of different groups; so if you are a lover of hiking, food and wine, photography, or even cats, you will have a good time, make friends, and take your Spanish language skills to the next level.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Reflection Daily:

Even if you are having an incredibly good time on your Spanish immersion adventure, there will inevitably be “low” moments, such as:

– If you are sad because you missed a family gathering or a friend's birthday party.

– You are exasperated that every seemingly simple task seems to take you forever due to a new and unfamiliar environment.

– You long for the old days when you spoke effortlessly.

– You are frustrated by not being able to express yourself as you are and with your authentic personality (we bet nobody told you how complicated it could be to tell a joke in another language).

In these “low” moments, it is essential that you take a breath, take a step away from negative emotions, and, first of all, remind yourself why you came here. You didn't come this far to feel as if you had never left your city. You came to face the challenge, to feel the excitement, to take advantage of the cultural and linguistic immersion, for your personal growth. Nobody said it would be easy... so remember, why did you come? Because it has always been your dream to live abroad? Because the place you are in is your dream destination? Or maybe because you’ve always wanted to take some time for yourself, disconnect from the world, and work on yourself (and your Spanish)? These are the questions you should ask yourself daily; this exercise will help you stay in the present and keep you excited, grateful, and in a state of wonder to live this incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience.

4. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone:

It is impossible to appreciate the beautiful and new situation of learning in another country if you don't step out of your comfort zone! We are going to tell you an exciting secret: being a foreigner means you can be whoever you want to be, so don't let that old baggage drag you down. Are you an introverted person? Well, throw it out! Accept that invitation for a drink after class, make new friends at a café... Don't want to try new dishes? Dare yourself and try the delicious (beef tripe) or order a tapa of snails (snails cooked in broth). If you make the effort to go further, you will make your immersion more special, and that will contribute to improving your Spanish level.

5. Stay Connected and Share Your Experiences:

It is important that you hold on to the present, but it is also important to return to your roots from time to time. Connect on Skype every week with your family and friends to find out what is happening at home and share your experiences. Post photos and videos on your social networks, or better yet, why not start a blog? The more you share with your loved ones, the better you will keep feelings of loneliness and isolation at bay. The feeling of isolation isn't just due to physical distance: it’s normal to feel alone even when you are at home. Why, you might ask? Well, when you have a powerful and transformative experience like studying abroad, we can feel alone if we don't share all these incredible memories and experiences with our family and friends. So stay connected and share your experience!

Now you know everything you need to face culture shock and avoid sad feelings if you study abroad. After all, a Spanish immersion experience is too short not to face every challenge and take advantage of every opportunity. Who knows? Maybe you’ll like it so much that you decide to stay indefinitely. So come with us and enjoy your adventure!