Expat Community > Ecuador

JP55301
Joined 2009
Posts: 737

culture schock

15 years ago

Here its an article I found in the expat exchange that may be helpful to some wrestling with life in a new country.

Culture Shock

At some point after you've moved abroad, you will know what we mean when we say that such a move will change almost every aspect of your daily life.
Please don't let this article scare you away from the notion of living overseas. It is merely designed to illustrate the point that you will need to learn to do many things in a new way. That includes the expectations you have of the way "things" should work.

What "things" do you ask?

When you need a plumber to fix your toilet, how long should it take for them to arrive? One hour? What if it's one week?

If you want to go for a drive in your new country and you are a woman, what if that's not allowed there?

Suppose you want your child to go to an international school, and that becomes impossible (for whatever reason). If he or she has to go to a public school, how able to adapt to this new educational system will your child be? Or you? What if the children there are typically educated at a more advanced pace than in your home country, and now your child is "behind?"

Ouch! You've got a toothache! Time to call the dentist. How do you do that in your new country? How do they numb the pain? What if the dentist doesn't speak English?

What is all that food in the display case at the local "deli," and why does it look like that? Why is it so hard to get a turkey sandwich?

And why do the neighbors look at me like that? And the people at the cafe? Is it just me? Staring isn't rude in this country? Weird.

So, Culture Shock.

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