“When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” Clifton Fadiman (American author)
Imagine landing in a new country. It looks very similar or very different, people are caring and helping you, everything is unfamiliar but exciting. After a few days, the thrill might fade, replaced by confusion, homesickness, and the awkward feeling of being completely out of sync.
Welcome to culture shock: The invisible travel companion nobody talks about. You may experience irritability, loneliness, impatience, or loss of appetite amongst other things.
Indeed, culture shock is a psychological and emotional reaction to being in an unfamiliar cultural environment, often marked by anxiety, frustration, or helplessness due to differences in language, norms, values, social practices, and expectations. It is part of the expatriation lifecycle.
Whether you experience culture shock in Australia or in another culture, the good news is that you cannot only survive it, you can thrive through it. Here’s how:
Curiosity is your strength
Think of yourself as an explorer, not a tourist. Every unfamiliar word, every confusing custom, is a treasure map clue. Ask questions. Observe. Taste. Laugh at your mistakes. Curiosity turns the strange into the fascinating and keeps judgment at bay.
Build your new social network
You are not meant to navigate this alone. Find your people — locals who are patient teachers, other expats who understand, friends who make you feel seen. These bridges of connection can turn a foreign place into a second home.
Keep a piece of home in your pocket
Culture shock can make you long for the comforts of home. Carry small rituals with you — your favourite tea, a playlist, a nightly journaling habit. They will anchor you when everything else feels adrift. Your home culture is like an anchor to adapt in the host culture.
Speak their language, even if you stumble
Language opens doors. Even a clumsy “hello” or “thank you” earns smiles and softens walls. Every attempt you make is a declaration: I see you. I’m trying. And people respond to that. Give it a go! Your new environment will appreciate you making the effort.
Allow the waves to come and go
Some days will be golden. Others will be hard. That’s normal. Culture shock is not a straight line; it is waves (think of it as Ups and Downs). Ride those waves. Feel them. Trust that they will pass — and each time they do, you will find yourself stronger, steadier.
Set tiny, brave goals
One new street explored. One conversation started. One unfamiliar dish tried. Small victories build big courage. Celebrate them all. Something new each week will help you manage the adaptation.
Call in reinforcements if needed
If the shadows get too heavy, there is no shame in reaching out for professional support. Wise adventurers know when to ask for guidance. Whether it is a colleague, a new friend or a mentor, they will help you navigate the cycle of adjustment of living in a new country.
Remember:
Culture shock is not a sign you are failing. It is a sign you are growing and assimilating.
Every awkward moment, every homesick evening, every small win — they are the stitches sewing a new, bigger version of you.
Lean into the discomfort. Stay curious. Stay kind to the world, and to yourself.
Home is not just where you are from. It is also where you grow into.
If your team is ready to break through cultural barriers and build stronger international relationships, our training programs are the perfect next step.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your team
