Cultural Adjustment

Culture is relative. As an international student, you will be exposed to many new customs, habits and ideas. Try to avoid labelling them as "good" or "bad" according to the culture you are from.

Remember that there may be parts of a culture you dislike or disapprove of, but these are part of a broader social system, and therefore make more sense inside that system.

Adjusting to a new culture does not mean that you have to change your own values, but it is important to respect those of other people.

When you find yourself in an unfamiliar situation, try to think of it as a new adventure.

Allow yourself to be curious about the way things are perceived and done in this new environment.

Since you will encounter unfamiliar rules and norms, observing how others are acting in situations can help you understand what behaviour is expected of you.

Pay attention to both the verbal and nonverbal communication of others in order to get a more complete picture of what is going on.

Ask for help when you need it. Asking for assistance or an explanation does not have to be considered a sign of weakness.

Understanding others and making yourself understood in a new language (or context) requires lots of rephrasing, repeating and clarification.

It may be helpful to ask questions like "as I understand it you are saying... Is that correct?"

Learning to function in a new environment is not easy. It is natural to feel anxious or frustrated sometimes.

The key is to remind yourself that these feelings are normal and are likely to be situational and temporary.

You will inevitably make mistakes as you explore a new culture. If you can find the humour in these situations and laugh at them, others will likely respond to you with friendliness and support.

Keep in mind that others will probably make mistakes, too; when someone makes an inaccurate assumption or a generalized statement about your culture, it may be due to a lack of information. If you're comfortable with doing so, this can be an opportunity to share information with others about yourself and your culture.

Be mindful about keeping a healthy diet and getting enough exercise and rest.

Try to find an activity that you enjoy and make it part of your routine.

Being physically active can help reduce your stress level.

While abroad, you’ll want to be in touch with the people back home to share your experiences. However, study abroad is also a time for personal and cultural exploration. Past students have suggested arranging a schedule with family and friends to determine when they will be in touch and to manage expectations for how frequently you’ll be contacting them.

An Icelandic friend (or another international student who has been in Iceland for several years) can be a great consultant on cultural expectations.

When you have questions or need a second opinion on something, this person can help clarify confusions and provide support as you adjust to your new environment.

Many international students find it helpful to discuss their concerns with others who are going through similar transitions.

Talking with others about their adjustment to the new culture can provide ideas and insights about your own experience.

Seek out friends and groups who share your interests and encourage you to participate in social circles. 

Don't try to understand everything immediately. The process of adjusting to a new culture requires time. It may also require a different amount of time for different areas of adjustment.

Try to encourage yourself to be patient with this experience and not be overly critical of yourself.