Pessuto 1

Bruno Pessuto
Kristin Maccarrone
ELI Conversation and Culture
November 26 2014
How to help/prevent culture shock
1. Make local friends
When you make local friends is easier to absorb the local culture, as they can
explain you how things works and what to do. With many friends you will have more fun
things to do; therefore you will become used to local culture faster, and will enjoy every
moment.
2. Learn about the place
Learning about the place you are going to visit or live is very helpful because it is
possible to figure out how different both cultures are, so you can get prepared or even
change your destination if you feel that you cannot get used with the culture from the
place chosen. Knowing about the place you are going also helps you to make new
friends, as there will be more things to talk about and share.
3. Travel around
Travelling around where you live is a good way to see how much culture differs
from a place to another, so perhaps the nearby neighborhood might be a better
place for you. When you travel you are so entertained seeing new places that there
is no time left to care about culture differences.

Pessuto 2

4. Do things you like

Look for activities you enjoy and are familiar to, so you feel more comfortable
and it also makes meeting new friends easier. Doing things you like also helps
you to see that the new place you are is not so different from home.
5. Talk with your family
Keeping close contact with your family helps you prevent home sickness, and
they can always advice and support you when you feel depressed and misfit.
When you have your family backing you up you feel more confident, so you feel
stronger and more apt to assimilate a new culture.