Why everyone should experience it in their lifetime!
If you ever have the chance to travel to an outlandish country, would you go? I mean, going to a place that is completely out of your comfort zone? You might discover children in Japan running errands for their parents and see extreme poverty in India. Experienced travelers call this a “culture shock.” A culture shock can be defined as “a feeling of disorientation, experienced by someone when they are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes”, according to Google, and it should definitely be on your bucket list!
This escapade makes me think of a typical fairytale. The princess is stuck in her mundane castle and she is only used to the real royal treatment every day. She longs to break free and see what is beyond her normal perspectives. She eventually gets out and learns that the people in the village have a lot less, but are still living a happy life. She sees them laughing and welcoming her into their homes. In the end, she makes friends with the village people and she changes her life. She learns to dance bare feet, eat with her hands and love deeply. This was exactly how my first culture shock happened.
I had just finished high school and had no idea what to do with my life. So, I decided to be an Au Pair in the Netherlands. I grew up in South Africa and travelling to Europe alone for the first time was quite daunting. Not knowing how my host family would be. The thought of staying with them and working for them seemed like a crazy thing to do.
After four months, I hopped on a plane, wearing my big girl shoes and embarked on a life-changing experience. Upon arrival, I quickly discovered that most of the Dutch people had their own misconceptions about us South African girls. They were shocked to hear that we don’t use wild animals to get to work and that our parents are not all black. On the other hand, I come from a country where crime is a problem. We sleep with our front gate and doors locked. This is not the case in Western Europe and I learned that in some parts it is so safe that people sleep with their front doors open! Children play in the streets and ride their bikes fearlessly. People leave their cars unlocked while they shop calmly.
For me, this was quite shocking. The only time I rode my bike in the street as a child was when we were on a camping trip, and we could ride around the camping area. Besides the lifestyle differences, I also learned that Dutch people are very direct and there is no beating around the bush. That is why they have no curtains in their homes. This is their way of saying we have nothing to hide.
In all of this, it was an amazing experience and my eyes were opened. I was so fascinated that I wanted to know everything there was about the world. This experience has taught me a few things.
You meet amazing people
First of all, you see and encounter amazing people. By looking at them, you can acknowledge that there are differences. That is what makes it so beautiful! You can make friends from all over the world and know that you will always have a place to stay. You can hear different accents and learn a new language. (Even if you suck at it, it’s a nice feeling to say a word or two in another language.) I am lucky enough to have a second home now in Amsterdam after living and working there for a year. You have to let your guard down and interact with people; otherwise, this culture shock might turn into a lightning strike.
You’ll understand the world a whole lot better
This experience will teach you to be more open-minded and let go of your prejudices. You can learn amazing things from others if you choose to be open and allow yourself to be vulnerable. You can learn and teach others too, so we can be better. Let go of racism, class differences and entitlements. These are all man-made things anyway. Rather come to an agreement with beautiful sightings and attitudes toward life. I could've simply allowed myself to believe that Dutch people were rude for being so direct. Now I’ve learned this is how they are in their culture, I can now look at them with new eyes and accept them. If I ever need to do some serious introspection, I will be sure to give my Dutch friend a call.
Self Reflection
By using the eyes of others, you’ll be able to reflect on yourself. Am I living in a country where I’m truly happy? Am I thankful or ungrateful for the way I have lived my life until now? What do I want to change in my life?
There are a lot of questions that can be asked. In the end, you can decide to maybe move abroad or find a partner or job that is more compatible with your needs. I’ve learned that I want to feel safe wherever it is that I might live one day.
Absorb the world’s history
Some people might have hated history as a subject in school, but learning about the world is much more captivating.
Understanding why the Chinese people leave their plates unfinished, why there are major traffic jams in Egypt and why South Africans say “robot” and no traffic light is all part of the culture shock.
You know that there is no place like home, but it depends on where you choose to be.
In all my travels, I have learned that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you believe in, we all want to be loved and understood. Shock yourself with love and people!