culture shock Archives

Sydney
The University of Iowa
2017 Spring

When in Paderno, Do as the Italians Do: The Top 5 Places in Town to Interact with Locals 02/10/17

After four weeks on campus and experiencing more culture shock than I’d like to admit, I’m starting to get the hang of the Paderno del Grappa lifestyle here at CIMBA. While I’m sure I still stick out like a sore thumb when I venture beyond the CIMBA bubble, through insight, observation, and self-awareness, I’ve begun […]

Carley
University of Missouri
2017 Spring

Factual vs. Actual: How Study Abroad is Way Different Than I Thought It Would Be 02/08/17

It’s officially week three (time really does fly when you’re having fun) and now that I’m basically a local (not even close), I think it’s a good time to share what I thought studying abroad was going to be versus what it actually is. So for those of you who are interested in studying abroad […]

Adam
Western Michigan University
2016 Fall

How to Readjust to Life After Study Abroad 01/06/17

It’s been about three weeks since leaving Paderno del Grappa and saying “‘Til next time” to so many great people. Coming back to the states hits you really quick. It was a harsh reality to face that in the span of 10 hours I left my CIMBA family and flew back to where it all started; […]

Adam
Western Michigan University
2016 Fall

How to Adjust to the Italian Way of Life 10/03/16

Ciao, If I was truly adjusted to the Italian way of life, this third week’s post would be up being posted during week five. The Italians have a very different way of viewing time and sense of urgency than Americans. You’re in for a treat, because it’s story time: A friend and I took a trip to […]

Adam
Western Michigan University
2016 Fall

LIFE Lessons From My First Week Abroad 09/20/16

Oh man, where do I begin, This first week has been nothing but fun, experiential, and a giant stepping stone for myself. I was/have been able to connect with so many people in so little time. Whether it was through the Leadership Institute (LIFE) or just finding commonalities between complete strangers, I can already say […]

Katie
The University of Iowa
2016 Summer

The Marvelous Hues of Life Abroad: A Reflection on the Greatest Month of My Life 06/28/16

The ground suddenly jerks below me. We have definitely hit American ground. It’s more nerve-wracking than I expected it would be. It takes everything I have to open up the shutter next to me. I see visions of deep gray and moody. Yep, this is definitely Chicago. Don’t get me wrong, I love my country. […]

Megan
Western Michigan University
2016 Summer

Italy Surprises! 5 Common Things You Weren’t Expecting on Your Trip to Italy 06/14/16

The large majority of Americans are not accustomed to European lifestyles. For me, it took around two weeks to finally grasp the common ins and outs of daily Italian life. My frequent comment of, “I was not expecting that”, quickly became, “It’s an Italian thing”, as I continuously ran into the following five Italian norms: 1. Bathrooms […]

Katie
The University of Iowa
2016 Summer

From Paderno to Paris: How Culture Shock Follows You Everywhere 06/13/16

The ever-so-familiar sound of Italian chatter swarms around me in the train station. After three weeks abroad, these conversations are simply backround noise. I used to be overwhelmed with confusion. I did not understand a word of what people were saying. I would sit in awe at how much I misunderstood. Now, my experiences are […]

Kaden
Kansas State University
2016 Summer

From America to Italy: Adjusting to the Italian Lifestyle 06/06/16

After three weeks I have adjusted to life in Italy and there were definitely some adjustments that had to be made. The first change you will notice is the major difference in time culture between America in Italy. In America, everything is fast-paced, everyone is busy, and everything runs efficiently. This is not a priority […]

Katie
The University of Iowa
2016 Summer

Facing Adversity: What You Actually Learn from Study Abroad 06/02/16

If there’s one lesson to be learned from studying abroad, it’s to never expect anything to go smoothly. EVER. Adjusting to a foreign country simply isn’t enough. There are a variety of obstacles to be thrown in the mix. Whether it’s on or off campus, you are going to encounter barriers and difficulty. Having a positive […]