From what I've read, culture shocks comes in waves of frusteration and acceptance. And from what I've experienced, this is also true. Studying abroad is a constant flow of being incredibly excited and loving all the new experiences one minute, to hating everything about the host country the next. Well, maybe not hating everything, but vehemently disliking.
I would say that my acceptance recently peaked around my birthday, and now I'm plateauting at the what-the-fuck-Spain stage for the moment. Seriously. Why must people pee on the stone walls near my apartment in broad daylight? Why does the guy sitting behind me in the cafe light up a cigarette when I am trying to study? Why don't old Spanish ladys know how to walk with an umbrella without putting someones eye out or making me walk in the street? Why do I always almost get hit by cars? Why is there so much dog shit everywhere? ¿Por qué, Spain? ¿POR QUÉ?!!!
To get over culture shock in the beginning I kept telling myself "Different doesn't neccesarily mean bad. It's just different." Now though I feel like hey, I know different is different, and it's not bad per say. But maybe I prefer things like they're done in the U.S. If anything I will come back home with a healthy appreciation for all things and customs American. Until then I will probably get lung cancer from second hand smoke...That is if I don't get run over by a car first.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
aren't they ridiculous with their umbrellas? how can you really get through life living somewhere it rains without properly learning how to use an umbrella? they seem to have no concept of space there. too bad your head is in the space they want their umbrella to go, huh?
hang in there, chica. it gets better, te prometo.
te mando un beso de los eeuu... que te pase mejor!
Post a Comment