Culture Shock:
All Insider Tips
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Ecuador
Not your typical graffiti
In urban corners of Quito, the graffiti artwork adorning buildings is shocking not for the hateful messages, but for the lack thereof. Instead, the streets are decorated with romantic shout-outs ... read more
02 Jan 2010
by Sarah Henningsen
02 Jan 2010
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United Kingdom
Not culture shock... culture creep
For many Americans living in the United Kingdom, culture shock is perhaps better described as “culture creep.” The absence of any (serious) language barrier makes the initial adjustments to British ... read more
06 Jan 2010
by Marshall Worsham
06 Jan 2010
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Peru
Sick of harrassment? Eyes up!
If you're female and foreign-looking, it's hard to walk down the street in Peru without hearing whistles, catcalls, and sometimes vulgar comments. Next time you find yourself approaching ... read more
07 Jan 2010
by Kathleen Fritz
07 Jan 2010
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Peru
Bus bathroom etiquette
I went on a three-day bus adventure from Cusco, Peru to the Ecuadorian border. Most of the buses only let you urinate in the bathroom on board, so if you ... read more
03 Dec 2009
by Michelle Saltis
03 Dec 2009
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Cyprus
Buffer zone blues
Whether it's the guarded military towers, showing your passport to cross the street, or simply being re-routed in the city because of the border, the buffer zone in divided ... read more
06 Jan 2010
by Madeline Blount
06 Jan 2010
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Peru
Practice the art of being politely aggressive
The first time I got to the front of a line in Peru and moments later found myself at the end, I felt completely overwhelmed and frustrated. The reality is ... read more
10 Nov 2009
by Courtney Ng
10 Nov 2009
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Mongolia
Don't you realize that your cell phone has a "silent" setting?
I’ve met with a former Prime Minister, several governors, mayors, Mongolian National University professors, NGO leaders, and lamas, and I’ve heard Yankee Doodle, Jingle Bells, or the Nokia ... read more
07 Nov 2009
by Lindsay Myron
07 Nov 2009
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Laos
Learn a few simple words
The best way to get over the initial culture shock of Laos is to learn a few simple words. These new words or phrases will always be conversation starters--especially if ... read more
22 Oct 2009
by Gabriel Shaya
22 Oct 2009
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Malawi
Hubby hunters, you're in luck
As a foreign woman, get used to hearing the question “Muli pabanja?” This literally translates to “Do you have a family?” but functions more like a marriage proposal. Such propositions ... read more
02 Nov 2009
by Rebecca Jacobson
02 Nov 2009
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Ireland
Find a routine, find a friend
The hardest part about adjusting to a new culture is changing your daily routine. Find the nearest grocery store, and visit it every Sunday. Find a coffee shop to visit ... read more
26 Aug 2009
by Victoria Wallace
26 Aug 2009
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Argentina
Don't take offense at the flattery
If you’re heading to Argentina, you should know that the men are not afraid to lavish women with flattering words. If a woman is walking down the street and ... read more
11 Oct 2009
by Audrey Bergner
11 Oct 2009
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Turkey
Touchy-feely in Turkey
Turks tend to express their friendliness in a physical manner. Both women AND men link arms while walking as a sign of close friendship. Both women and men kiss each ... read more
16 Sep 2009
by Jessica Cross
16 Sep 2009
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Turkey
Not-so-traditional dance
Within the last two or so years, a dance from Trabzon (a city in the Black Sea region) has emerged and is growing in popularity every day. Called Kolbasti, the ... read more
16 Sep 2009
by Jessica Cross
16 Sep 2009
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Philippines
What time is it? It depends....
At the school where I teach, every clock shows a slightly different time, and the class bell is sporadic at best. As a result, I am usually too early or ... read more
03 Sep 2009
by Matthew Hamilton
03 Sep 2009
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Mexico
Come up with a Plan B (and C, and D...)
In Mexico, plans change often and quickly, and many times at the last minute. So don't expect everything you plan with others to work out smoothly, whether it be ... read more
30 Aug 2009
by Catherine John
30 Aug 2009
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Italy
Learn the language and embrace local customs
Culture shock is inevitable in Italy, but there are at least two things you can do to help minimize its effects: 1) Learn the language; 2) Immerse yourself in local ... read more
29 Aug 2009
by Betty Bluvshtein
29 Aug 2009
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China
Ease Into the local cuisine (don't try to stomach duck feet on your first night)
On my first night in Beijing, I went to a group dinner at a restaurant aptly titled "The Nine-Headed Bird." Our lazy susan was covered with unrecognizable dishes, including webbed ... read more
26 Aug 2009
by Jamie Barys
26 Aug 2009
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Canada
Be nice to yourself
Even the most savvy of travelers is vulnerable to culture shock. The key is to recognize it for what it is. When you find yourself in that state of extreme ... read more
26 Aug 2009
by Larissa Strong
26 Aug 2009
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Nepal
How to fight the blues: Write a (real) letter home
Everyone gets the blues after a while in a foreign country. This can be "culture shock" or just plain homesickness. When the feeling becomes unbearable and you just can't ... read more
26 Aug 2009
by Kate Harding
26 Aug 2009
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Mexico
Flash those beautiful teeth
The best advice I can offer is this: Learn how to laugh at yourself! This is huge. You will be in countless situations (geographically, linguistically, culturally) where you are not ... read more
26 Aug 2009
by Josh Macivor-Andersen
26 Aug 2009
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