Don't believe all the stereotypes you have heard. Instead, keep and open mind to learn as much as possible from your experience.

Stage 1 — Initial Euphoria
Characterized by feelings of excitement, anticipation, high expectations, positive attitudes, and the intrigue of everything new. May also be accompanied by anxiety and apprehension.

Stage 2 — Irritability & Frustration
Focus of attention turns to the differences between the new culture and home, finding fault with the host culture and possibly exaggerating small difficulties into major crisis. (This is what we know as "culture shock.") Symptoms include:

• homesickness
• anxiety
• boredom
• fatigue
• confusion

How to gain relief:

• don't spend too much time feeling sorry for yourself
• don't spend too much time commiserating with others
• keep busy & active
• try to maintain a positive attitude
• seek out people who have successfully adjusted
• make friends from your host country

Stage 3 — Gradual Adjustment
The crisis is over! Gradually you begin to orient yourself and are able to make sense of your new environment as you become more familiar and comfortable in it. Your sense of humor returns!

Stage 4 — Adaptation
You adapt to your new culture and enjoy its customs, ways of doing and saying things. You realize when you get home, there are many things about your host culture you'll miss!

Always remember, arriving in an unfamiliar environment can be daunting even for the strongest of spirit! It will help you considerably to be patient, tolerant, respectful, and open-minded rather than critical and judgmental. The U.S. system isn't perfect either!

You are likely to have a number of surprises that you had not psychologically or practically prepared for. Have faith in your own ability to be resourceful and adaptable and you will soon come to terms with the newness of your experience.

It's absolutely normal to feel home-sick at the outset. When it strikes, take heart because it's unlikely to last for long. Try to adopt a positive attitude, seek out new friends, and focus on adventure.

1. Boredom
   After all the newness and stimulation of your time abroad, a return old routines, however nice and comforting, can seem very dull.
2. "No One Wants to Hear"
   No one will be as interested in hearing about your adventures and triumphs as you will be in recounting them.
3. You Can't Explain
   Even when given a chance to explain all the sights you saw and feelings you had while abroad, you may fail to make others understand exactly how or why you felt a particular way.
4. Reverse "Homesickness"
   Just as you missed home for a time after going abroad, it is just as natural to experience some reverse homesickness for the people, places, and you grew accustomed to while abroad.
5. Relationships Have Changed
   It is inevitable that when you return you will notice that some relationships with friends and family have changed. Just as you have altered some of your ideas and attitudes while abroad, the people at home are likely to have also changed.
6. People See "Wrong" Changes
   Sometimes people may concentrate on small alterations in your behavior or ideas and seem threatened or upset by them. To avoid or minimize such incidents it is necessary to monitor yourself and be aware of the reactions of those around you, especially in the first few weeks following your return.
7. People Misunderstand
   A few people may misinterpret your words or actions.
8. Feeling of Alienation
   Sometimes the reality of being back home is not as natural or enjoyable as the place you constructed in your mental image. You might see faults you never noticed before, or even become quite critical of everyone and everything all the time. Its best to keep comparisons to yourself until you regain your cultural balance and a balanced perspective.
9. Inability to Apply New Knowledge & Skills
   Many people who return home are frustrated by the lack of opportunity to apply newly gained social, technical, linguistic, and practical coping skills. To avoid ongoing annoyance, be creative and be patient.
10. Loss of Experience
    Being home, coupled with the pressures of study, family, and friends, often causes worry that your will "lose" the experience, that it will somehow become compartmentalized like souvenirs or photo albums kept in a box and only occasionally taken out and looked at. However, you can maintain your contacts, you can talk to people who have experiences similar to yours, and you can practice your new skills. Again, be creative and be patient.