Fall 2022 #2

September 26, 2022

by Maddie Reisinger, MUDEC student

Personally, I have certainly experienced different aspects of culture shock. This semester is my first time out of the country, so it was a very drastic change from my life back home. The next couple months are going to be some of the most memorable, so I put together a guide on how to navigate and combat feelings of culture shock. 

One of the biggest struggles I have faced since coming to Europe has been the communication gap with my friends and family. For many, family is a sense of comfort and support, so when we are separated by distance and timing, it can be difficult to communicate. My biggest piece of advice is to document your day! Sending photos or videos throughout your day to family and friends provides a sense of relief that despite the distance, you can still talk. Short text exchanges and even calls make a huge difference. 

Me saying goodbye to
my sister

Self-Care is one of the most important things to focus on during your study abroad experience. It is a personalized hobby that could include working out, getting enough sleep, or even mindfulness exercises. Back at home I used to go on long walks all the time, so after class I enjoy walking around Differdange and exploring new areas. AquaSud is a very popular gym that many MUDEC students go to for working out. They even have a student discount!

My afternoon walk in Differdange

Back in Oxford, our advisors stressed the point of digital storytelling. Many students create separate Instagram accounts to document their experiences around Luxembourg and other countries. This allows you to hold on to these memories long after the semester ends. Another thing that I have been keeping up with is a travel journal. After each trip, I take time to write about my trip. You can write about where you went, what food you ate, and your overall opinion on the area. These are fun yet effective ways to document your journey for yourself and people back at home!

Some posts from my Digital Storytelling!

This is one of the most important steps in overcoming culture shock. Here in Luxembourg, they speak three different languages which can be difficult to navigate. While we aren’t expected to be fluent in any of these languages, we should still make efforts to communicate with others. A more simple way of doing this is to order your daily coffee in French or Luxembourgish. I know many students stop at Berto on the way to class, so this is a great starting point. From there, you can visit different events around the city and try out traditional foods and experiences. 

Eating local cuisine is also a great way to immerse yourself into new cultures!

In the end, this semester is going to be an experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives. That being said, it won’t always be sunshine and rainbows. Culture shock is a very real concept and not one that is to be brushed off. My last piece of advice is to customize these ideas to your lifestyle. If journaling is not your style, that’s ok! There are so many different ways to get your thoughts and feelings off your chest. Each person’s time abroad is unique to them and that is what is most important. I hope that you find these tips useful and that you begin to incorporate them into your daily routine here in Luxembourg!

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