How These 4 Challenges You Face While Studying Abroad Prepare You For Life!

The culture and value system in India differ widely from the ones you might encounter in countries like the US, the UK, Australia, NZ or any European countries. So it won’ t be surprising if you experience anything between a mild to extreme case of culture shock! For instance, you would never address your faculty at college/ university in the US as “sir” or “ma’am”, just “professor” would be enough. Similarly, you call everyone by their first name without adding an “uncle” or “aunty” as suffix! In India, if a teacher walks into the class, all the students are expected to stand up and greet them in unison. No such thing in the US! Students keep sitting doing their own thing until the class begins. This does not indicate any lack of respect. Language can also be a communication barrier, especially if you’re studying in a country like France or Germany where English is not the local tongue. What is most challenging is the fact that your classmates could be from 10 other countries, each trying to adjust to the new routine and lifestyle, while holding on to their own native habits!

Getting exposed to such a wide variety of cultures teaches us the valuable lesson of learning to adjust and even appreciate the positive aspects of each culture. In the long run, we end up with a liberal, well-rounded and broad-minded personality helping us become global citizens!