I am a self-professed world traveller – it’s in my blood, or, at least, in my heart. (My first birthday was on a plane, so how much more committed can you get?)

I have had experiences travelling to Europe, to Africa, and to East Asia. While I have by no means been everywhere, I have had enough travel experience to think that I am immune to some of the first-time traveller tropes: loosing your passport, misplacing your tickets, being completely clueless about conversion rates….

I am the type who likes to think they’ve had so many experiences that nothing can surprise them. Let’s just say I get proved wrong….often. You’d think a girl would learn. (TM Megara, Disney’s Hercules)

One thing I always forget to account for when I travel is culture shock. I mean, this is a real thing, even for people who are used to the stresses of new cultures, languages, and places.

As I was polishing up my recent post on the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship I was asked a few reflection questions that really struck me. One of them was, “What were some unexpected challenges you faced?” The one I didn’t really want to admit was that I had experienced culture shock.

The thing is, culture shock does not happen at the same time for everyone. Some people feel it the second they step off the plane, and some don’t feel it for days, weeks, or maybe even a few months. (Sometimes, you don’t even know you’ve been in culture shock until you’re back in your home country and even your home country can give you culture shock.)

The way culture shock manifests itself is never the same. Let me give a few examples:

• Confusing conversion rates make you feel like you can’t buy essentials.
• You can’t find food that doesn’t upset your stomach.
• Your body aches because of jet lag.
• The country you’re in doesn’t have your favorite chain restaurant.
• You can’t read the signs in the subway.
• Your family is 12 hours ahead/behind you.
• You can’t hug your mom over the phone.
• Miscommunication with languages results in confusion and frustration.
• You’re lonely.
• There are too many options (or not enough options).
• Something you say or do that’s normal in your part of the world is rude or offensive in another part and you’re not sure what it is you said or did that offended.

There are easily a thousand other ways to feel culture shock. The most important thing to remember is this: it’s okay. Unless you never leave your comfort zone, you will know culture shock at some point in your life, and it’s okay to ask for help. Even if you feel like you are alone, I promise that you aren’t.

If you are attending school abroad, speak with your teachers; they may know of on-campus expat clubs or counselling you can join for support. Even before you go, seek out other students who have travelled abroad and ask for their advice on how to deal with culture shock.

Schedule time to talk with your family back home.

Set a schedule for while you’re away and, the hardest part, keep it. If you like to run, keep your running schedule. If you always have a coffee first thing in the morning, wake up in time to make your coffee just right. Making a schedule is often hard when you feel like you’re in over your head, but keeping one helps relieve some of the stress.

I don’t know everything, but I do know the following:

• Culture shock affects everyone.
• Culture shock affects everyone in different ways.
• It’s okay to ask for help.