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| By Ianpassion |
I have stayed in Thailand for some years. The period of my stay marks a significant milestone journey of my life. Living away from my home country, I have experienced ups and downs as part of the adjustment process.
Staying abroad can be an experience of both fun and daunting. I have immersed in the community for some years, and I have found three fundamental principles that are important to aware of yourself as you decided to come.
1. Trust relationship
When you are in a foreign country, you can't keep away from being lonely. But if you have the right people around, it is going to be easy. Trust is the bases of all lasting relationships. However, having someone whom you can really trust is not easy except your family. Thus, It is essential that you are in a safe environment, which you are accepted and above all respected for whoever and whatever you are.
If you are single, living alone is somewhat good although not always. There are times you need companionship (Ecclesiastes4:9-12). That is why it is necessary to find a friend with whom you can share your heart. Finding someone whom you can really trust is a risk. However, as you keep going, you eventually come across on the same path with the right person. Then going out together can be an unwinding moment. What is most important, you can be who you are, and there is no need to fake yourself. You and your friend can support each other for counseling and guidance which helps a lot to overcome emotional heaviness.
If you are single, living alone is somewhat good although not always. There are times you need companionship (Ecclesiastes4:9-12). That is why it is necessary to find a friend with whom you can share your heart. Finding someone whom you can really trust is a risk. However, as you keep going, you eventually come across on the same path with the right person. Then going out together can be an unwinding moment. What is most important, you can be who you are, and there is no need to fake yourself. You and your friend can support each other for counseling and guidance which helps a lot to overcome emotional heaviness.
2. Cultural adjustment
The most common problem when you are in another culture is to assume that they are like you. However, after several days of staying with your host country then you eventually find out gaps between you and them. Examples of the cultures that you and your host country might be different: hierarchy vs. equality, community vs. individualism, direct vs. indirect, reality vs. superstition, career vs. relationship, punctuality vs. diplomacy, and religion vs. philosophy, and more.
Therefore, it is essential to have some knowledge of the cultural background of a host country so that you may know how to behave, relate, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Know how they resolve disputes, how they respect the elders and parents, know how they make a relationship, and what are the taboos. Most of the misunderstanding happens not because you are bad or them racial, but it is because of cultural differences. Therefore, cultural adjustment is essential. Not in the sense that you need to give up your identity, but being flexible, tolerant, and sensitive to differences and ambiguities of others.
Therefore, it is essential to have some knowledge of the cultural background of a host country so that you may know how to behave, relate, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Know how they resolve disputes, how they respect the elders and parents, know how they make a relationship, and what are the taboos. Most of the misunderstanding happens not because you are bad or them racial, but it is because of cultural differences. Therefore, cultural adjustment is essential. Not in the sense that you need to give up your identity, but being flexible, tolerant, and sensitive to differences and ambiguities of others.
3. Learning the language
It is challenging if your host country does not use much English. I remembered that Nelson Mandela once said "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. But If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." Yes, it is true. If you speak English always with your host or with the locals in the community, yes you can do it yet you are limited. You can't touch their emotion. However, if you try to speak the native language in the community - their local dialect, then you can start connecting their whole being.
For places that English is not an official language, English is somewhat the language of the most educated. So using it in the village may sound like you are showy. Hence, If you want to have a local friend, then learning his language is not optional. You have to study. Get used the free tutorials available online. You are going to be detached until the last day of your departure if you failed to learn the language. Don't worry about mistakes. It is normal since it is not your language. And when the locals found you interested in their language, then in return they will be interested in you, they will be happy and more than willing to assist you.
More about culture click here:
For places that English is not an official language, English is somewhat the language of the most educated. So using it in the village may sound like you are showy. Hence, If you want to have a local friend, then learning his language is not optional. You have to study. Get used the free tutorials available online. You are going to be detached until the last day of your departure if you failed to learn the language. Don't worry about mistakes. It is normal since it is not your language. And when the locals found you interested in their language, then in return they will be interested in you, they will be happy and more than willing to assist you.
More about culture click here:
