When you type in “culture shock” on Google you get 20+ million results and top definition (courtesy of Wikipedia) is

“the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, a move between social environments, or simply travel to another type of life.”

It’s essentially the emotions and changes you experience when you move from one place to another. I attended a workshop/presentation on culture shock or ‘entry adjustment’ put on by my study abroad company and it really helped me understand a little bit more about culture shock and myself.

Culture is a very nuanced thing, it’s so much more than food, language, customs. It’s value systems, and relationships, and body language. We are a product of our culture, whether it be our country, local or family culture; it shapes who we are. Living in a diverse place where multiple cultures are present, I feel like I am pretty capable of balancing culture with my identity. Identity is super important, as I think no matter where you are or what type of culture you are in you should be able to maintain a core sense of yourself.

So I have been in Paris for about two weeks, and so far I haven’t really been ‘shocked’ by anything. Some may say I’m still in the honeymoon phase, but I’m not sure if I’m going to experience ‘culture shock’ like it’s presented in this graphic.

I think that just goes to show that culture shock is a different experience for everyone and although there are a million graphics and articles about it, everyone’s experience is unique. I admit that right now I am experiencing some “frustration/annoyance with everyday differences” like trying to find a movie theatre, or a place to get my nails done or when I ran out of my deodorant I brought with me and had to face going into a pharmacy with brands I didn’t recognize in a language I was a beginner in. (Note: I did buy some deodorant, it worked out, I don’t smell!)

So with this discussion about my minor frustrations, I give you some personal strategies I used to cope with ‘culture shock’:

• Journaling – it’s a great way to understand what you’re actually feeling. Sometimes I’ll sit down for say 15 minutes and just write literally everything that comes to mind. After that I read what I wrote and able to better process what I’m feeling.
• Food – I brought a few snacks with me from home and whenever I need a reminder, I just eat a few Oreos. However, it doesn’t have to be something from your hometown, I also find pain au chocolat really comforting (which is great because I’m in Paris).
• Talk to someone- whether it’s your friends back home, your friends that you’ve made, or an advisor, talking to someone is also a good way to process how you’re feeling. Most people will understand how you’re feeling, and be able to offer some advice or simply just listen.
• Find your happy place – I have found a few in Paris: every morning when I’m taking ligne 6 and cross the Eiffel Tower or the spectacular view from one of Paris’ (many) bridges. These moments/places help remind that I’m in Paris, a city I always wanted to live in.
• Give yourself permission to be tired/sad/lonely – I think a common feeling when you’ve travelled to a new place is feeling guilty for not appreciating everything to the fullest. Yes, you are really lucky that you got to travel/live here and (most likely) you appreciate that fact. But it’s still somewhere new that you have to adjust to. It’s okay to be tired/sad/lonely sometimes, after all you are only human. (Obligatory moral note: if you’re feeling tired/lonely sad all the time and think it’s more than culture shock, you should seek help from a professional.)

And on that note about feelings and guilt, I feel that sometimes we feel guilty for not managing other people’s expectations.

Yes, I am lucky that I’m studying abroad in Paris, I’m extremely (extremely) grateful and am doing my best to make the most of my experience; however, I am also living here, which means I do ordinary things like grocery shopping, going to school, etc. Not every moment of everyday is Instagram-worthy.

I definitely think this is something I’ll blog about again as time goes on and I have more experience in Paris. I hope this post helps you better understand ‘culture shock’ and some ways to handle it. If you have anything to add, please share it in the comments below!

À toute à l’heure!