Passage 29
Living abroad can be an exhilarating experience that encourages new world views, increases cultural curiosity and supports willingness to explore unfamiliar terrains.
However, it may also invite a sense of feeling a little lost in the world.
Culture shock generally moves through four different phases：honeymoon, frustration, adjustment and acceptance.
1. The Honeymoon Stage
The first stage of culture shock is often overwhelmingly positive during which travelers become infatuated with the language, people and food in their new surroundings.
2. The Frustration Stage
At this stage, the fatigue of not understanding gestures, signs and the language sets in and miscommunications may be happening frequently.
3. The Adjustment Stage
Frustrations are often subdued as travelers begin to feel more familar and comfortable with the cultures, people, food and languages of new environments.
4. The Acceptance Stage
During the acceptance stage, travelers have the familiarity and are able to draw together the resouces they need to feel at ease.
Though it can be one of the hardest parts of traveling, culture shock is just as integral to the experience as food, people and scenery.
By recognizing it for what it is and finding ways to cope, you can prevent culture shock from ruining an otherwise fantastic experience abroad.
"It is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books."