Reversing the Shock

Many of you have heard of the term "culture shock" meaning the feeling of confusion, doubt and nervousness in an unfamiliar place that is very different from what you are used to. Most people experience this when staying in a foreign country for an extended period of time, such as studying abroad. It can be a result of not being used to the time difference, weather, the social norms, laws and the way people are and how they interact on a daily basis. On the contrary, reverse culture shock is the feeling of returning to your home culture and country after growing accustomed to a new one. This happens because you get used to the place you have been living in and have difficulty settling back into every day life at home. You may feel like you have an idealized view of what home is like and there becomes an inconsistency between expectations and reality. Also, you may feel an expectation of total familiarity in that nothing has changed while you have been away. 

There are many ways to deal with reverse culture shock. First, share your experiences with others. You may feel like constantly sharing stories about your trip will bother your friends and family, but they are there to listen and want to hear about your many experiences and memories. One way is to show them your many pictures and what happened in each. Explain what you did in the picture, where you were and the feelings you had. Also, starting a blog to explain your trip abroad will help cope and you will soon receive an audience that will listen intently. 

Severe reverse culture shock usually occurs with people who have been sent off to war or who have moved away from their home country for an extended period of time such as a couple of years. For ones that study abroad for a couple of months to a year, they do not experience the same reverse culture shock that those other people that have been away for longer time. 

So, once you return home from an adventure of a lifetime, do not get overwhelmed with the reverse culture shock! It might be hard to ease back into the life you used to have in America, but your family, friends and familiar surroundings will definitely help the transition. 

Avoiding a Currency Crisis

Before attempting to understand currency exchange rates, it is important to know what a currency exchange rate really is. The term "currency exchange rate" essentially represents the value of a particular country's money in comparison to another country. A country's monetary value often fluctuates and is heavily dependent upon the strength of their economy at a particular point in time. 

As we all know, communication is a significant barrier when traveling to foreign countries, especially when there is a language barrier preventing you from communicating effectively. However, it is important to be aware that money can also be a significant barrier to traveling. Currency exchange rates can be extremely confusing for individuals traveling in various countries because there are various currencies used around the world. Although the euro is commonly accepted throughout Europe, many countries have other preferred currencies and even the euro can be confusing to work with if you haven't had a lot of practice.

Check out the steps we have listed below to avoid a currency crisis while traveling abroad!  

Step One: Determine the two currencies you will be working with. Select the currency you will convert from and the currency you will convert to.

 Step Two: Research the rate for converting your money in the new currency. Each country’s conversion rate can be found online.

 Step Three: Establish the relationship between the two currencies. Be aware that when you are converting money to a stronger currency, you will lose some purchasing power in that particular country.

 Step Four: Visit your local bank to convert some of your money to the local currency before leaving for your trip. Exchange rates tend to be much higher in airports or hotels, which may be your only option once you have arrived at your destination.

 Step Five: Be aware of surcharges that may be required to convert money. There may be a percentage rate on the transaction or a flat rate to complete the transaction.

 Step Six: Contact your credit card company to inquire about exchange rates and fees when using your card. Exchange rates and fees will vary by company.