In this content, we take you on a cultural journey about student approaches by country. Here is the cultural route we have prepared for you! Read on for much more!

International Student Cultures

Every country in the world is an endless opportunity for learning and discovery. Cultural richness is achieved by eliminating geographical borders. To be truly enriched is to learn the lifestyles of countries, to adopt their educational approach and to open the doors to what kind of life awaits students. Education is a journey without borders. Moreover, it is full of culture, not just books or lecture notes. You may be wondering what student cultures are like by country. Since you are reading this article, most probably your answer is "Yes. But don't worry! Because in this content we have prepared for you, we take you on a full cultural journey about student approaches according to countries. Here is the cultural route we have prepared for you! Read on for much more!

Intercultural Journey for International Students

Every student makes various attempts to reach the next level in their education. The most popular of these is to continue their education in a different country. Adapting to cultural differences is a very important issue for every international student. This is because many may agree that they may not be able to overcome the difficulties due to culture shock. However, this is mainly due to an unconscious attitude towards cultural differences. You can create a more culturally, socially and individually adaptable and fulfilling academic life for yourself. But how? In the following article, we will explain various ways to overcome cultural differences.

How to Overcome Cultural Differences for International Students

Studying abroad is the most important decision most students make in their lives. It is extremely important to adapt to a new culture, make friends from different nationalities or change your perspective on countries. But often cultural differences can be difficult to overcome. This is quite normal because it takes time to understand a new culture. Having an idea of what kind of life awaits you will make it much easier. The most important thing you need is an innovative mindset and effective communication skills. Here are some tips for you.

First Understand Culture

In an intercultural education model, the student must first understand the basics of culture. This means: What are the characteristics of the culture I live in and what is necessary? This is important for international students to gain a broader perspective on culture. It helps to develop a sense of empathy and communication skills. Find out which culture other students belong to and do a little research about their cultural values. This way you will have much more to talk about.

Identify Cultural Differences

Moving outside your home geography is a challenge for international students, as they are vulnerable to cultural differences. They often have to deal with the difficulties of the adaptation process. What you need to do is to explore the differences between nations. For example, in the Middle East, Friday is a holiday, while in the West it is Sunday. Knowing this shows that you have a comprehensive knowledge of the country. This will make you feel more comfortable.

Learn How to Communicate

Understanding how people communicate in different cultures will prevent misunderstandings. A sentence that sounds ordinary to you may not have the same meaning to someone else. Such misunderstandings, have negative effects on communication. For example, in Central Asia the word "no" is seen as a negative word, whereas in the West it emphasizes honesty. The same applies to greetings. Knowing how to address the other person will help you build healthier relationships.

What are the Processes of Adapting to a New Culture?

Every individual goes through various processes to adjust to life in a different culture. Although these processes differ from person to person, the basic stages of adaptation are the same. Of course, this is only a guideline for you. After all, not every person can experience the same processes or determine their duration. So, let's explore what these processes are in more detail.

1.

The term "honeymoon" may not ring a bell. The honeymoon phase is the state of being caught up in the sense of energy felt when starting a new life. People feel excited, energetic and stress-free during this period.

2.

As soon as you step outside your usual culture, you will encounter cultural differences. The most important factor that increases culture shock is that you have not mastered the local language. Because the better you express yourself, the sooner the shock will wear off. In this process, negative emotions such as stress and anxiety may take over you.

3.

The recovery period after culture shock makes you feel stronger to face challenges. At this stage, you make more effort to learn more about the culture. The more you learn, the more comfortable you feel expressing yourself.

4. Adaptation Phase

The process of adaptation is the acceptance of the differences between the geographical place where the students were born and where they are. In this way, they become more in tune with their environment and can participate in their conversations.

You may have some reservations about the study abroad adventure. From the first moment you step into a new country, you should feel that you belong there and try to adapt. The more you keep yourself in the background, the more you will be limited to what you know and will not be able to develop. Whatever your destination, you can be sure that a fun-filled adventure awaits you. Put your culture fears aside and set off for a new country!

Have you taken a look at the related articles of the Department of Health, Culture and Sports of Üsküdar University? Click now to review!