Scott returns again with an insightful post on Country Shock.

Traveling or living in a new country and culture can be exhilarating, full of fun and serendipitous experiences.  Meeting new people, eating new foods, experiencing new cultural ways of thinking will enliven your life.

But‚  meeting new people, eating new foods, and experiencing new ways of doing things can also bring stress, confusion, and even disorientation.  T.E. Lawrence (the famous British soldier "Lawrence of Arabia") writes, "The strain of living and thinking in a foreign land and half-understood language, the savage food, strange clothes, and still stranger ways‚  provide such an added stress to the ordinary difficulties of dealing with climate and the Turks  that this road should not be chosen without serious thought. "

After the excitement of a being in a new country wears off it is common to suffer from country shock, and it is important to learn how to adjust and adapt to your host country's climate, foods, and traffic patterns.

Climate: We tend to think of the climate as part of the scenery of an overseas experience rather than something to prepare for and adjust to.  But the high temperatures and humidity of the tropics or the glacial cold of Mongolia may cause chaos to our health, lifestyle and mental health. As oppose to ignoring the climate, we can make adjustments such as using air conditioning or proper heating in our homes, adjusting when we spend time outside, how we exercise and wearing clothes that fit the weather.  It is always good to dress like the local people do.  In many cultures whether you are a woman or man it is not wise to wear shorts, tank tops or tight clothes in public.  Remembering the Indian proverb "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun" is helpful!

An often overlooked climate factor is pollution.  Many large cities are notorious for their unhealthy air quality.  A helpful web site to visit is http://aqicn.org which has accurate pollution report for most major cities and their surrounding regions.  It is wise to reduce physical activities when the pollution is extremely high.

Food:  Whether you are an adventurous eater, like me, or more conservative in your eating habits, it is good to be aware of what you are eating and how it affects you. It is important to eat a balanced diet, with plenty of fruits and vegetables which have been properly cleaned.  It is wise to learn which spices or ingredients may cause you digestive trouble, and politely avoid them.  Don't be afraid to be adventurous but you don't need to force yourself to eat everything in the first two weeks in a country.  It is wise to wash your hands often to prevent the spread of germs.

Traffic:  For some new-comers, traffic patterns in a new country can be bewildering. I remember the first time my taxi driver in Taiwan made a left hand turn by jumping the green light and cutting off six lanes of traffic.  But the other drivers didn't honk at him, and in fact yielded to him. What I thought was outrageous and dangerous driving was normal driving in Taiwan.

By carefully, and non-critically, observing traffic patterns and practices you can begin to make sense of the seeming chaos around you and learn how to maneuver in your new country.  This is especially important for your safety as a pedestrian when you cross the street, even with a green light. Observe how other pedestrians react, and try to understand their strategy.   I would recommend never j-walking and not losing your temper when cars pass close by you.

Country shock affects all travelers and new residents and can cause anxiety and unease. By keeping an open mind, observing what is happening around you, and seeking  to understand the local ways of doing things, "country shock" can turn into "country love."

How have you experienced country shock?