Written by The Leap on 13 / 01 / 2015
Gap Year Advice
When our Leapers set off for their gap year travel destinations, they feel excitement, curiosity, and intrigue. I am sure they also experience a bit of culture shock.
Culture shock is a mix of feelings. It includes confusion, stress, and anxiety. These feelings come from being in new places and away from what is familiar.
It is normal to have these feelings on your gap year, but they can make your travel experience less enjoyable at first. Read our solo travel advice to ensure you’re prepared for your gap year adventure.
Are you travelling to a non English-speaking country? You may want to learn some local words. Buying a phrasebook can help you with this.
The Lonely Planet's phrasebook shop is a great place to find what you need. One of the hardest things when on a gap year abroad is not being able to talk to anyone. This can make you feel frustrated and alone.
Locals will appreciate it if you try to speak their language. They will also make an effort to help you feel at home in their country.
One way to avoid culture shock is to know what to expect from the country. This includes foreign culture, customs, and traditions. Understanding these things will be of great value to you.
Prior to heading off to your chosen destination, have a look at these international etiquette guides compiled by Kwintessential. And be sure to make notes.
The last thing you want to do is end up in a dodgy part of town in whichever country you’re visiting. You'll stand out like a sore thumb, which will not only make you feel self-conscious but put you at risk too. Use a travel guidebook (try the Lonely Planet shop again), to ensure you stick to the safer, more central areas.
Remember, this doesn’t mean you must be with other tourists. Beautiful, rural places to escape the crowds and busy city life are in abundance.
It can feel overwhelming when you first arrive on your gap year to step outside the comfort of your accomodation, but it will soon become familiarm if you take time to explore your surroundings and get to know the place you’re staying.
If you get lost or need help, most people will be happy to assist you if you talk to them.
Be open to meeting people in new places. This includes cafes, public transport, and even on the street. The more people you speak to, the more doors will open and you could have some wonderful experiences and make friends for life.
Make friends with local residents. They can help you discover hidden gems in the area. This will give you a more authentic experience. You will feel less like a stranger and more like a local.
You may have already started doing some independent language study. If so, great. But joining a language school would be even better, as it gives you the chance to meet people too.
At The Leap, we strongly believe in this idea. If you volunteer and travel in Colombia during your gap year, you'll receive Spanish lessons. These lessons are informal, but an important part of the program.
If you are in an English-speaking country, you might take a course in another subject. You could also join classes for your favourite hobby, like journalism, dance, or cooking. This will give your days some structure and provide you with the motivation to get out and about.
Sometimes, it helps to do one thing that makes you feel at home when you are away. You could cook your favourite dish or play an album you love. These things will make your situation feel more familiar. They will help you deal with the cultural differences you face.
If exploring local establishments feels outside your comfort zone, head to the nearest Irish pub – you’ll find them even in remote locations (we've spotted them in Mongolia, Zambia, and Nepal, just to name a few), offering you a taste of home no matter how far away you are.
If you’re suffering, don’t keep it all bottled up inside. Sharing your thoughts with others will make you feel a lot better. If they’re also from another country, you’ll often find that they're going through the same thing and will be able to give you some advice.
Otherwise, talk to a local who can help you out when something happens that you can’t make sense of, or answer your questions about what’s appropriate and what’s not.
If you can’t bring yourself to tell other people how you’re feeling, let it all out in the pages of a journal instead. Not only can this be extremely therapeutic, but it can also make you realise how far you’ve come when you look back on it several weeks later.
You could even consider taking the notes you’ve made and creating a blog post from them to help others who are struggling to settle in to a new way of life in a foreign country. I've done it myself, and I also really recommend it as one of the best ways to beat the post-travel blues.
You’ll feel much calmer and more at ease if you keep things tidy and organised. First things first, unpack everything from your bag and make yourself at home in your new accommodation. Be sure you keep all your important documents together and in a safe place, then arrange all your other possessions so that you can locate them quickly and easily.
If you’re staying put for a while, you might even like to put posters or photographs up on the wall, giving your room a more homely feel. Next, go out and buy all the things you need or forgot to pack like maps of the area, groceries, a local sim card or toiletries.
Kicking the trip off in this way will help you clear your head and maintain a positive attitude throughout.
To those of you that have been there and can relate to the concept of culture shock, we’d like to hear from you – how did you feel? What were your coping mechanisms? Do you have any tips for others?
Please share your thoughts in the comments box below – it would be great to hear your suggestions.
Main photo credit: nchscourant.com
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