This document discusses the challenges of studying and living abroad, including culture shock. It defines culture shock as the distress experienced when migrating to a new culture. Common causes of culture shock include differences in time zones, currency, food, and climate. Effects include physiological distress, fatigue, poor diet, stress, depression, and isolation. Possible solutions include using team projects, giving international students a voice, and promoting social support. The conclusion recommends studying abroad to gain a global perspective and open opportunities.

1. Challenges of Studying and
Living Abroad: Causes, Effect
and Solution
Babajide Alao
c0628368
July 30, 2014

2. Introduction
• Learning, is an on-going process.
• A need for a global exposure
• The after-math euphoria

3. Culture Shock – The Trauma
• What is Culture Shock ?
• Oberg described culture shock as “the distress experienced by some
expatriate Americans who migrate abroad”
• According to Raymond Cohen, “as long as one lives within the confines of a
single culture it is difficult to achieve cross-cultural awareness”
(Cohen, 2001, pp. 151-160; as cited in Pantelidou & Craig, 2006)

4. Causes of Culture Shock
• Difference in time zone
• Currency Conflict
• Confusion in role expectation
• Absence of familiar food
• A feeling of rejection
• Anxiety and feeling of impotence
• New Climate
(as cited in Pantelidou & Craig, 2006)

5. Effect of Culture Shock
• Physiological Distress
• Fatigue
• Poor diet
• Stress
• Psychological Distress
• Depression
• Isolation
(Brown and Holloway, 2008, pp. 33-49)

6. Possible Solutions to Culture Shock
• Effective use of team projects
• Giving the international students a voice
• Assist international students with locating familiar food items
• Promoting social support and social integration
(as cited in Taras & Rowney, 2007, p. 76)

7. Conclusion and Recommendation
“After all, international relations is above all about the interaction
between communities possessing separate identities and autonomous
wills” (Cohen, 2001, pp. 151-160).
Why?
• It will open diverse opportunities of a first-hand experience of a
different culture
• Open avenues to a global insight to solving social and economic issues
(Cohen, 2001, pp. 151-160)

8. How Can I Help?
Thank you

9. References
• Shaikh, B., & Deschamps, J-P. (2006) Life in a university residence: Issues, concerns and responses. Education
for Health: Change in Learning & Practice, 19(1), 43-51. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com
• Brown, L., & Holloway, I. (2008). The initial stage of the international sojourn: Excitement or culture shock?
British Journal of Guidance and Counselling. 36(1), 33-49. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com
• Cohen, R. (2001). Pedagogy in international studies: Living and teaching across culture. International Studies
Perspectives, 2(2), 151-160. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com
• Pantelidou, S & Craig, T. K. J. (2006). Culture shock and social support: A survey in Greek migrant students.
Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 41, 777-781. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com
• Philip, K., & Yvonne, M. (2012). Culture shock and higher education performance: Implications for teaching.
Higher Education Quarterly, 66(1), 25. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com
• Taras, V., & Rowney, J. (2007). Effects of cultural diversity on in-class communication and student project
team dynamics: Creating synergy in the diverse classroom. International Studies in Educational
Administration (Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration & Management (CCEAM)), 35(2), 76.
Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com