5 Ways to Culture Yourself Before Studying Abroad

By Kailey Walters on July 18, 2017

So, you’re thinking about studying abroad. You’ve always wanted to travel to somewhere exotic and exciting, and what better time to do it than while you’re in college? After carefully choosing a country to visit, you do everything you can to prepare yourself — you get all your paperwork finalized, pack an appropriate amount of clothes, etc.

But before you board that plane, it’s also important that you familiarize yourself with the laws and customs of the country you’re visiting. Check out the following tips and reminders to ensure you’re prepared to encounter an entirely new culture before you even step foot on foreign ground.

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1. Keep an open mind and be willing to embrace the culture

Considering you’ve already decided to study abroad (or are at least thinking about it), you probably are very accepting and welcoming of cultures different from your own. Maintain that open-mindedness as you envision yourself in that foreign country; you certainly want to be sensitive and knowledgeable about that country’s customs, so as not to offend any locals or inadvertently label yourself as a rude, ignorant American.

Which leads to the next point …

2. Do your research

You don’t have to look up the country’s entire history or memorize its capital’s exact population, but you will certainly benefit from doing your homework on the basics. This could be as simple as conducting a quick Google search to find out some background on the country’s general history and culture, such as its food, people’s style of dress, the language, etc.

You may even want to get a handy guide book that contains all of the information you need in one concise place. Before I studied abroad in Rome, Italy over the winter, my friend bought me a study-abroad guide called “When in Rome,” which contained a good deal of useful information on public transportation options, cultural activities to participate in, background on a number of important neighborhoods in Rome, and even advice on how to make the most of your study abroad experience.

Using one of these books can be quite advantageous in learning more about that country’s culture.

It’s also a major help to know generally about manners and the kind of behavior that’s acceptable there. Every country has unique customs and traditions that you should be careful to respect.

For example, in certain parts of the Middle East, Africa, Sri Lanka, and India, using your left hand for eating or other activities is considered rude and dirty, because people use their left hands for cleaning themselves after using the toilet. So, if you find yourself visiting any of those countries, remember to refrain from using your left hand!

No matter how you choose to educate yourself on the country you’re visiting, it only requires a little bit of effort that will go a long way. You’ll be able to walk around a foreign neighborhood and, with your newfound knowledge, see it somehow as not such a foreign place.

3. On that note, also familiarize yourself with the country’s laws

Being aware of what you legally can and can’t do is paramount, especially when you’re in a new country. This may include fairly simple (yet super important) things such as knowing which side of the road to drive on. Again, educating yourself on the country’s laws can be as easy as doing a quick Internet search to get a grasp of the most important rules.

4. Learn at least a few key phrases in the language

Not saying you have to become fluent or even speak full sentences — just knowing several commonly used words and phrases, such as “please,” “thank you,” “you’re welcome,” “sorry,” and “excuse me,” can go a long way. You’ll be able to interact with the locals, and even if it’s obvious that you’re an American, they’re sure to appreciate your attempts to communicate in their own language.

By stepping out of your comfort zone to say something in a different language, you’ll show that you’re being respectful towards the people and their culture.

5. Talk with someone who’s from the country you’ll be visiting

If you happen to have any friends, family members, friends of family members, etc. who are originally from that foreign country, take the chance to have a conversation with them. They may have valuable insights, stories, and experiences they can share to make you that much more knowledgeable about the places to which you’ll be traveling. They might also give you the inside scoop on the best places to visit and activities to engage in.

No matter what, you’ve got a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of it before you head off so that you can make the most of your time while studying abroad.

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