Unless you were born and grew up in your destination country (in which case you would not be an expatriate), it is inevitable that sooner or later you will go through what cultural anthropologists call culture shock. It is inevitable because our own cultural values are ingrained in us subconsciously through the enculturation process, and we will just as subconsciously -- if not consciously -- be evaluating the new culture based on our standards.
This conflict of cultural values between our home country and our new country; and the reaction to it, is what defines culture shock. Although some cultural shock is inevitable when living abroad, there are various ways in which we can limit its frequency of occurrence or soften its effect. The following three suggestions are probably the most obvious and simple ways to prepare for the inevitable culture shock.
1. You can choose to live among expatriates from your own country and culture. One of the easiest ways to soften the effect of culture shock in you new country is to live in an area populated largely by other expatriates from your own country. Almost all countries that have U.S. expatriates, for example, have numerous enclaves where you can live your life largely as you did in the U.S. In this case it may seem like you have never left home. This takes away some of the spirit of adventure also, but it will lessen the extent of any culture shock.
2. You can research and study the lifestyle and culture of the destination country before you move. This suggestion should be obvious, but it is surprising how many recent expatriates fail to adequately prepare in this area. All aspects of society reflect a cultural bias and are built on a value system different from "ours" (you define what "ours" is - it is whatever your native culture is). Language, social structure, religion, politics, and economics are all aspects of the culture. The more you learn about these areas and how the "natives" feel about them, the closer you will come to understanding the actions of the local population, therefore reducing your own culture shock. The more homogeneous the culture is, the easier it is to accomplish this.
3. Spend some time studying the language of your destination country. The most obvious difference among different cultural groups is their language. It is this aspect that we first notice and the one which most effects our communication. It reflects and in some cases determines other aspects of a culture. So, the more of the language you learn, the more likely you are to start understanding the culture. But even then, you must remember that local and regional differences in language are tied closely to the beliefs and values of the society in which it is found.
Simply being aware of what culture shock is and how it effects you will go a long way in ameliorating its effect. All prospective expatriates, whether living among their own cultural compatriots, or among the citizens of their new country should learn as much of the language as possible and spend time studying the lifestyle and beliefs of the citizens of their prospective destinations. If you decide to live among your own countrymen in your new country, you will have less reason to learn the language and study the lifestyle ahead of time. But remember, you are in "their" country and there will always be intercultural communication occurring. Make the most of your experience by preparing for these interactions.
Dr. Lamar Ross, a cultural anthropologist by training, has a special interest in training individuals for expatriate living and providing information on unique travel destinations. He is an author, educator, photographer, internet entrepreneur, and international traveler. He has lived in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and India and has traveled extensively in 29 different countries. He speaks both English and Spanish fluently and has a basic ability in several other languages. For more information on expatriate living, check out the blog Expatriate Traveler Notes
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