Curious on how to deal with culture shock? As someone who has traveled extensively and often searches for differences in culture, I’ve developed a pretty extensive list of ways to overcome culture shock.

As you might already know, there are 5 stages of culture shock many travelers experience. But inside each of these steps, there are a huge range of ways you will actually encounter cultural shock.

Every traveler will have slightly different experiences, severity and ways to deal with a culture shock.

 

How do travelers deal with culture shock?

Travelers deal with culture shock differently. Some travelers might not even feel the typical effects of culture shock.

Understanding the symptoms helps to know when to put these culture shock remedies into action.

No matter where you are in the world or what type of cultural differences you’re encountering, you’ll find something on this list to help you overcome a shock of cultures.

For more culture shock stories, read the travelers who shared their experiences.

Here are 18 tips I’ve learned to overcome a cultural shock.

 

1. Realize that adjusting takes time

Don’t force yourself to go through the stages of culture shock too fast. Take it easy on yourself and understand that this is a common process and you need time to adjust.

Going from the different phases isn’t done overnight and it will be a whole lot easier if you let the process happen.

Is saying that, it’s easier said than done, but always keep tip #1 in your mind.

 

2. Focus on the positive

Being positive isn’t always easy. You’re tired, hungover, smelly, exhausted – it happens. So keeping a positive outlook on your adventure can be a challenge.

But if you can focus on the positive aspects, what you enjoy most, rather than stewing on the negative emotions of a new destination, you’ll find the whole situation is made a fair bit easier.

 

3. Positive Attitude When Things Go Wrong

Very similar to the point above, but when things go wrong, well that’s a recipe for a miserable travel experience. To be blunt, shit happens. You can plan everything to a tee, but one slight hiccup along the way, and all that unravels.

When it does, your positive attitude will be tested. So how to deal with point number 3?

Things are different all over the world, customs, transport, language, this list goes on. There are plenty of ways to experience misfortune when traveling.

Just know it will pass. You will come out of the small mistake. You will get to where you’re going, and even if you don’t, you’ll have a story to tell at the end.

For example – check out my 20+ hour bus nightmare story from Athens in Greece to Ohrid in Macedonia.

 

4. Do not compare yourself to others

Everyone experiences things differently. You know a great way to put yourself down even more? Comparing yourself to others.

“So and so is doing so much better than me, I wish I could be that good at coping with culture shock”.

Sure, comparing yourself can lead to self-improvement in a lot of ways, but keep it in check. Don’t beat yourself up if someone appears to be doing better than you are dealing.

 

5. Find ways to relieve stress

We all get stressed, whether in travel or general life. Finding ways to not be overcome by stress is important to enjoying travel more.

What do you enjoy doing? Reading? Gaming? Doing nothing at all? Travel doesn’t need to be an intense, no downtime adventure.

Take the time to look after yourself and you’ll find it’s easier to enjoy traveling to new places.

 

6. Keep an open mind

This is a big one. If you’re traveling to distant lands, you’re going to see, hear and experiences thing you would never back home.

Culture shock in China is one of my biggest experiences. It was so different from my home nation of Australia or my current home in Canada. The stares were constant, there was spitting, kids taking bathroom breaks on a busy street (Google split-crotch pants, if you don’t believe me).

But what we need to remember, we are guests in other nations. I’m not saying be vigilant and stand up for your rights or let people walk all over you. Not at all.

Just trying to keep an open mind can help to learn why a culture is the way it is – after all, that’s what experiencing other cultures is all about, right?

 

7. Learn as much about your host country as possible

Learn about a country and the people, their history, their cuisine and you might find more to love than you think.

Visit museums, interact with people, ask questions. It all helps to understand where you’re visiting.

Sure, there are plenty of countries with less than great ancient and modern history as well as current ways of life, but try to understand a new country before you claim to hate a place.

 

8. Set learning goals for your trip

What do you want to get out of travel to a new place? Be fluent in the language, see sights you’ve always dreamt of?

Make yourself a checklist – a bucket list of sorts. By slowly accomplishing these things you set out to, you might find a new love for the destination

You might also find yourself adding things to your list more than you’re crossing off. That’s the beauty of travel, there’s always more to see.

 

9. Write down what you love when you first arrive and look back later

When you land or arrive in a destination, what immediately captures you? Do you love the smells? The Sights? The noises? Or the lack of something.

Write this initial love for a new destination down and keep it safe. You can even add to it as you continue to explore.

When culture shock finds you (and likely, it eventually will), get this note out and remind yourself what you adore about a new place.

You might find your love all over again.

 

10. Find a healthy distraction

Distract yourself from the negative thoughts about a country. Healthy, if possible. It will make you feel better on two fronts.

I’ll admit, I’m the first to grab a beer (or a few) when I’ve had a big day, and while this definitely isn’t the healthiest option, it relaxes and slightly distracts my mind.

Going for a walk, read a book, something that can refresh your mind from the constant changes happening around you and lets you reset just a little.

 

11. Talk to others about how you feel

This is one huge advantage of staying in hostels. You’ll be surrounded by others who love travel as well.

Striking up a conversation at a hostel bar is one of the easiest ways to talk to others I’ve found. Everyone is there to have a drink and/or a chat with others and the relaxed environment can make it easy to swap stories and feelings about a destination.

Just opening up a little can help you process what a place is making you feel.

 

12. Push yourself to make local friends

Making local friends is a perfect way to learn about a country and reasons to love it just a little more.

Now you don’t have to become actual friends and swap contact information with a local, just have a chat and ask a couple of questions, you’ll find insights you would’ve left without knowing.

An easy way to do this is free walking tours. One of my personal favorite ways to get adjusted to a new country.

Ask your walking guide a ton of questions. These are locals with a knack for leading tourists around and teaching them some pretty unique things about a destination.

 

13. Try to see things through your host culture’s eyes

This might be impossible. But try to put yourself in a locals shoes.

This new perspective might just give you the leverage you need to love a new part of a country.

It might open a door that allows you to respect a culture a little more.

Ask yourself, what is the reason this way of life exists? It might take a bit of time to come to a conclusion but when you put yourself in others’ positions, you gain more insight.

 

14. Get involved with the local community

This one can be a challenge, you aren’t part of any local groups or bulletin boards that tell you when and where things are happening.

But if you see something going on you’d like to be apart of, you can always ask to join in. You might get laughed at, you might get all the stares in the world, but it’s unlikely you’ll ever see these people again, so why not?

Interact with the local community, you’ll see they are people just like us, even if their way of life is confusing at times.

 

15. Stop Constantly Thinking About Home

Are you thinking of home? Are you comparing things to home? Chances are, you are doing both of those things. And that’s totally fine, it’s a natural thing to compare.

It’s when the comparison turns toxic and these differences make your host country inferior to your home that this becomes a problem.

While you can think of home no worries, try not to be constantly comparing the good and the bad.

The differences in a new country aren’t always bad, but they will be different, and that’s totally okay.

 

16. Keep in Contact With Home

Don’t cut yourself off with home. Disconnecting with everyone at home is an easy way to become totally isolated, especially if you’re traveling by yourself.

Keep in touch with home, make calls, send messages and pictures, tell stories. Talking about the country you’re in is a great way to deal with a culture shock and overcoming them.

You don’t need to be in constant contact with home, but staying in touch is a great way to relieve home sicknesses.

 

17. Stay Active

If you’re constantly exploring a new destination, chances are, you’re pretty active.

But it’s good to keep in mind how going for a walk, run, swim, etc can really help your body and mind process negative emotions and thoughts

Keep active on the road, you’ll feel better for it.

 

18. Make an effort to learn the local language

Even if you’re only in a country for a day or just a few hours, try to pick up some basic phrases and words to help your interactions.

Locals will appreciate the effort and be more welcoming –  they might smirk or have a giggle, but don’t take it to heart.

You might even enjoy the challenge of pronouncing foreign syllables and finding everyday phrases that will shock locals.

 

18 Ways to Overcome Culture Shock

So there are my favorite 18 ways to overcome a culture shock while traveling.

They are all ways I’ve personally dealt with culture shock during my adventures, but the list is not complete. There are almost unlimited ways to adapt to cultural differences and I’d love to hear your favorites!

Tell me how you do it in the comments below, share this to social media and subscribe to the newsletter for more travel stories and tips!

Read more about specific culture shocks in Japan – one of my favorite countries I’ve visited.

 

Thanks for reading!

Happy and safe travels

Ben – Horizon Unknown