From living in Florence, I can tell you that culture shock is a real thing. It’s 10 times worse when you also have extreme jet lag. Now don’t get me wrong—being in Florence is amazing but also a very overwhelming experience. If you’re from the U.S. like me, Italians do things very different then we Americans, so learning how to adjust to that is culture shock. Culture shock is dealing with the changes of your daily routine, the changes of culture and even the people around you and their values/attitudes. How have I been dealing? Here are 5 tips:
1. Don't cut ties but cut back.
When you experience culture shock, there is a little homesickness involved. You start to look for normalcy and when you can’t find it, you start to feel worse. What’s helped me is cutting back. Yes, I still talk to my family and friends back home. But, I try to limit communication. The more I stay in my apartment and FaceTime those at home, of course I get sad and experience that dreaded FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). I still talk to my parents every day to let them know that I’m OK. But, don’t spend your whole day texting or calling them. It’s good that you miss them but give yourself the chance to enjoy this new experience.
2. Find normalcy.
The best cure for culture shock is to find some normalcy in your daily routine. Maybe that means going for a run and taking the same path every morning. Maybe that’s going to Santo Spirito and reading a book on the church steps. For me, it’s getting an iced coffee at Ditta Artigianale after class, which is hands down one of the best caffè shops in Florence. Plus, the workers are very nice.
3. Learn about your host country.
Regardless of where you are studying/visiting it’s good to learn a little about it before you come. I read a lot about Florence, Italy before coming and took a couple Italian language courses before studying abroad. The course and the books helped me become familiar with my host country so i wasn’t so overwhelmed when I finally landed.
4. Befriend a local.
I happen to live on the other side of the Arno, which is away from all the tourists, so I am immersed in the true ways of Florentine living. My first day here I befriended a pizza owner. He gave me some amazing tips about how to not look like an average tourist. He even gave me some advice on the best places to eat near my apartment. I highly suggest befriending a local because who would know more about your host country than those who actually live there?
5. Keep an open mind.
Culture shock happens when you are learning how to adjust to new surroundings. If you don't keep an open mind about the changes that are occurring your shock is only going to get worse and you are not going to want to learn how to assimilate into the culture. So keep an open mind you never know what can come your way if you do.
6. Practice!
Don't expect to learn the language in a day or even the streets for that matter. However, practice makes perfect. Get up in the morning and practice the language for an hour. There are tons of sites that can help you do this. My personal favorite Duolingo. When it comes to learning the streets just go for a stroll it doesn't matter if you get lost. I find you learn better when you allow yourself to really get to know the streets by finding your way out of them. Practice walking to and from where ever it is you are aiming to go. Get familiar with them and you won't forget them.
7. Write about it.
The best way to relieve stress is to write about it. Keep a journal about your journey this will help you get it all out and hopefully move forward with a positive outlook. Writing it down puts your thoughts on paper which can help you make better sense of them all.
8. Volunteer.
The best way to really get to know locals is to volunteer. It is the easiest way to become apart of the community and really learn about your new home. Plus they will feel much better about the foreigner if you are helping better the place you are now a part of.
9. Exercise.
Exercising is known to be an amazing stress reliever. Practice working out for a half an hour a day you will be sure to see results with both your physical and mental health. When I came to Italy I was eating so much and trying a lot of new foods. Not only did exercising help me deal with my culture shock but it also kept my weight at balance.
10. Have a sense of humor.
You are in a new place, with a new culture, and maybe one with a new language. It is okay if you mess up. Which I promise at some point you will. But, don't have too much pride that you can't laugh at yourself. Laughter helps.
11. Finally believe in yourself.
I know it feels like you will never blend in or cope with your surroundings. But, have a little faith in yourself. Before you know it, you will find yourself breezing past the Duomo towards your classes like a champ. I think one of the highlights of my time here was when an American couple stopped and asked for directions, and I knew exactly where to point them to. Give it time.
Most importantly, enjoy it!
