STRESS & MENTAL HEALTH

 The beginning of any new academic program can be a stressful experience. This stress can be magnified by the pressures of adapting to a new environment and uncertain academic or social expectations. This concern has long been recognized by advisors in study abroad offices and study destinations. These offices often serve as transitional support for students dealing with personal issues such as stress and adjusting to new circumstances. Their offices also serve as the point where other forms of support, such as peer activities, originate. Seek their advice and help whenever possible.

CULTURE SHOCK

The primary mental wellness concern associated with study abroad is culture shock. The term “Culture Shock” has been used to describe the effects associated with any transitional situation. You may have already observed it in friends or acquaintances in their first year of college or university. Think about those situations and reflect on what may have been helpful for that individual. How may have they better dealt with their new situation? Your answers should have applications for your study abroad experience. Some common thoughts are:

Make an effort to mentally prepare for the experience in the same manner you would pack for your physical needs. Work to become knowledgable about the new culture. Get other experienced perspectives – read about it, speak to advisors and those that may have participated in the program previously. You should also make sure that you participate in any pre-departure forum offered by the program. The discussion in these meetings may help bring up issues that you had not thought of and may help forge relationships that you will rely on later.

Anticipate different emotions, or highs & lows. Sometimes these have been presented as stages, such as the excitement of the “honeymoon stage” or the disillusionment associated with the “Hostility Stage” when the frustration of the extra effort to deal with ordinary tasks sets in. (See Texas A& M’s http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/travel_shock_stages.asp ). Others found their experience did not follow this pattern. They experienced their highs & lows in less predictable periods. Whatever, or whenever you are experiencing culture shock, there are several common suggestions of coping:

• Prepare by anticipating some difficulty – do not expect to be able to function at the same level you did back home. Many tasks, whether related to your studies or simply using a phone will require some adjustment.
• Keep in touch with your traditional & familiar support structure – your family and friends back home.
• Expand that support by making new friends.
• When making new friends, avoid meeting with only other North American or other international students. Balance these friendships by also making an effort to make friends with locals. This will help you adapt more quickly to your new situation.
• Try not to become too critical or focus on what you perceive to be the negative aspects of your new culture. Equally, be careful about socializing with those whose perspective is overally negative.

OTHER MENTAL WELLNESS ISSUES

Finally, if you have concerns that your (or a friend’s) mental or emotional state is beyond the normal homesickness or culture shock, share this with a friend or family member and find out what mental health resources may be available. If you are not familiar with counseling and mental wellness, there are various informational sites available which may be of help. An example of a school site that that discusses the issue of adjustment into a new culture on a single page is http://www.psc.uc.edu/SH/SH_Internatl%20Stud%20Adj.htm For a self help page, check out the material at the University of Buffalo counseling web site http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/selfhelp.shtml

If you would like to first visit a questionnaire site that may help in self-assessment, try http://www.healthyplace.com/site/tests/index.htm and one through the National Institute of Health, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/soundlikeyou.htm . If you have concerns about an eating disorder, consider "15 Questions" http://www.caringonline.com/eatdis/misc/edtest.htm

Note that the role of these self help sites is to not to replace formal evaluation or care. Their primary purpose is to help you think further about the problems you may be facing (or avoiding).

If there are circumstances where you or a friend is experiencing disorder that is more serious or urgent in nature, please seek care or help as soon as possible. Early recognition of a concern will be a relief. It will also hopefully lead to treatment and improvement.