Culture Shock and Struggles with Mental Health Abroad
The effects of culture shock and the triggers of being in an unfamiliar place can often lead to depression. Depression that stems from or is triggered by culture shock may manifest as an overwhelming sense of loneliness, feeling helpless, lost, or vulnerable, isolating yourself, lacking motivation to do things you used to enjoy, numbness, or the inability to complete tasks. If you begin to experience these, please reach out for support. See our mental health guide for international students for further information and resources.
In order to enjoy your study abroad experience to the fullest, it’s important to address these feelings right away so that they don’t overtake your time abroad. Seeing a counselor will help direct you to the best resources and methods of improvement so that you can move forward. As much as some people would like to push these feelings aside or work through them alone, the symptoms of depression are often debilitating, and seemingly simple tasks like getting out of bed or making plans with a friend can seem daunting.
Culture shock can also bring about symptoms of anxiety, showing up as an overwhelming sense of dread, preoccupation with your health and overall cleanliness, excessive fear of being cheated, tricked, or robbed, a disproportionate concern over the safety of food, doubting your ability to navigate the new environment and get through this experience, as well as a general, undefined sense of anxiety. Anxiety and depression can often overlap, along with other mental health conditions, and many of the symptoms of culture shock trigger these mental health struggles. If this is the case, it can be very helpful to speak with a counselor or trained professional in addition to having a support system of friends and family. There are resources available so that you can more easily move forward in a healthy way and ensure that your time abroad is the wonderful time you imagined it to be.
Mental health struggles are not always avoidable, but they can be managed. Going into this new experience with a positive mindset and support structures in place is very smart to do; in the event that things get overwhelming, you’ll have a healthy routine and resources in place. Here are a few examples of things to do immediately to ensure you’re in a good headspace, have a good routine, and that you’re socializing and engaging in healthy activities. This way you can be well positioned for any culture shock or mental health struggles you may experience.
Studying abroad is such an exciting and eye-opening experience. You’ll meet new people, try new foods, learn about different cultures, and have a ton of fun. With a schedule full of exciting new activities, a support system in place, and a good mindset, you’ll be well prepared to have a successful trip. Naturally, all the newness can be overwhelming. Remember that many people struggle to settle in a new environment, and that you are not alone. There are many international students who feel similarly and many resources to help give you the support you need. Reaching out when you are struggling is the best thing you can do to make sure you are healthy and that you have the best study abroad experience possible!
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