All international school teachers experience culture shock, whether they're moving from the US to the UK, or from the UK to Saudi Arabia. It's going to happen, the best thing is to be prepared and recognise it when it's happening...
Factors that can contribute to culture shock are :
- People speaking a different language, dialect or with an unfamiliar accent.
- Dealing with a different currnecy, money that is a different colour, feel and value. Keeping track of exchange rates can become a tiresome chore when living abroad, so once you’ve received your first paycheck, don’t bother. Earn local, spend local!
- People behaving in unfamiliar ways, even local customs can vary from one end of a country to another.
- Spicy and/or unfamiliar food. You may need to substitute ‘like’ ingredients in your favourite recipes too.
- People staring at you, if you are in a country where your skin colour or facial features stand out as being different, this will happen.
On top of this you’ll be the new teacher in school, so the procedures and policies will be different to what you’re used to at home.
International School - recognising culture shock
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