by Jill Arcaro Gordon
After the initial elation of novelty when transported into a foreign culture, the shock and frustrations of having to adapt culturally can be overwhelming. I myself have experienced them all and continue to suffer from the habit of comparing, both favorably and not, after more than 10 years in Europe. Would I think of moving? Not for a minute. But I really could have used the experiences of someone in the know!
So, the question stands: How do you know if you’re cut out for an extended sojourn abroad? While there is no set dogma to follow, there are certain universal indicators which can make your journey exponentially more enjoyable. Here are a few of these indicators.
You will know you’re not ready for a new life in a foreign land if you cannot deal with:
Before concluding, I must also suggest that you learn to trust yourself and your own judgment. In times of panic, you are the only person that you can rely on. Having said that, be wary of the difference between someone who knows and someone who is trying to save face. People might not want to disappoint you and they may be incapable to telling you “no” or “I don’t know”. Usually, they are not intending to mislead you; they just want to make you happy, but be careful who you ask for directions. We stopped a half-dozen times to ask directions to our hotel in Spain last week. We were given, with confidence, six entirely different answers and pointed to every corner of that city. We finally found a map… and made our way to the hotel ourselves.
© BEST Programs, 2013; 2nd edition 2016
Jill Arcaro is a journalist and founder of BEST Programs which has have been lessening the initial shock of living, studying and working in Spain since 1990. Her main interests are non-academically focused education along with culture and well-being. As an American living abroad she knows what it is to live a life true to yourself and not what others necessarily expect of you. You can have a “homebase” situation right when you arrive in your destination country, and do it economically through BEST’s programs. Whatever you would like to do in Spain, Russia, Belgium, Thailand, Cuba, Italy, Colombia or the USA, whether it be interning, working, studying or simply living, BEST can help you or knows who can. Jill is currently in South-East Asia working on a program to enhance the physical and emotional lives of hill tribes, orphans, disabled and elderly people.
+34 637 543 900 – Voice calls only by Whatsapp or Messenger – Chat and written messages by Whatsapp, Messenger or SMS.
By e-mail: best@bestprograms.org
… or by our contact form