Cultural Awareness
Congratulations! You’ve applied and been accepted to your chosen study abroad program, you have your passport (and visa, if needed) in hand, and you’ve reviewed all of the important health and safety information. Now what should you do?
In order to better prepare yourself for the challenges of studying abroad in another country, it is imperative that you do some cultural awareness research. Of course, no amount of research is a substitute for actually being in another country and experiencing their way of life. However, improving your cultural awareness before you go can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes you to adjust to your new surroundings and will allow you to more quickly enjoy the cultural differences that you traveled all this way to experience!
Guidelines for Improving Your Cultural IQ
Learn the basics
Find the answers to some fundamental questions about your study abroad destination, such as:
- What language(s) is (are) spoken?
- What time zone(s) does the country operate in?
- What is the country’s unit of currency and what is its current conversion rate to the U.S. dollar?
- What is the country’s daily schedule and are siesta hours observed?
- What type of food is typically eaten?
- What religions are most predominantly practiced?
- What are the most celebrated holidays?
All politics is global
More often than not, American students studying abroad find that the locals in that country are very familiar with American politics. However, the same often cannot be said of our awareness of the political landscape in other countries. Before you go, find out the answers to these questions:
- What type of political system does the country have?
- Who is the president/prime minister?
- What is the country’s political relationship with the United States?
- Are there current U.S. policies that greatly impact this country and how are those policies perceived by locals?
- What are the biggest political issues that the country is currently facing today?
How do you say....?
The best way to be a gracious guest in your host country is to learn the local language. This doesn’t mean that you need to be fluent, but you should at least bring along a phrase book and familiarize yourself with how to say “hello,” “good-bye,” “please,” “thank you,” “yes,” and “no.”
If you will be taking classes in a foreign language while abroad, consider bringing a good dictionary. If you are going to an English-speaking country, remember that there will still be many words and expressions that have a completely different connotation in that country. Also, remember to learn the unspoken language of gestures so that you are greeting people according to local custom.
Know the big no's
It is important to find out what the taboos are in that country so that you can avoid doing them and accidentally inserting yourself into an uncomfortable or hostile social situation. Discover the answer to some important questions, such as:
- What words and gestures are considered highly offensive?
- Are there cultural rules for how men and women must interact?
- What are considered appropriate forms of dress?
- What are the local customs and local laws that govern the use of alcohol and drugs?
Note: NKU cannot provide any assistance to students who have been charged with a crime in their host country.
Read what the locals read
You’ll have a cultural leg up on fellow study abroad participants if you take the time to read local newspapers and magazines before arriving in your host country. By familiarizing yourself with the current events (and even the current celebrity gossip) of that country, you will have a better frame of reference and more topics of conversation to discuss with locals.
Try your best, laugh off the rest
When all is said and done, the most important tools you can take with you to help you cope with cultural differences are flexibility and a sense of humor. If you are making a sincere attempt to be a gracious guest and avoid the “ugly American” stereotype, locals will notice. If people can see that you are trying to learn their customs and at least some of their language, it won’t make a difference in the end if you accidentally say to a store owner, “Can I buy your pants?” when you meant to say, “How much do those jeans cost?”
Realize that confusion and miscommunication are a part of the experience, and be willing to find the humor in the speed bumps you hit along the way. Being able to role with the punches will also allow you to better adapt when you hit unexpected snags, like missing the last train of the night back to your host city. Remember, study abroad is an adventure and sometimes a comedy.
Want more cultural preparation?
Visit University of the Pacific’s online cultural training resource “What’s Up With Culture?”