Culture shocks are inevitable. I think that much is fairly obvious; although, for whatever reason, I believed that since the languages between my home country and my host country were the same, I would have no problem fitting right in. However, I was from a small town in the middle of Missouri traveling to one of the busiest cities in the UK; now looking back, I understand how ridiculous it sounds to think I was somehow above the concept of culture shocks. Spoiler alert: I am not above them, and they truly are unavoidable no matter the language similarities or geographical proximity to your home. For any traveling students with the better idea of researching what to expect before arriving, here are a few of the more surprising culture shocks I experienced within the first month of living in London and a bit of personal advice in overcoming them.
Language Barriers – Accents and Dialects
Whether this is the first time you’re reading about culture shocks or the twenty first, I’m sure you are no stranger to one of the most obvious differences between the US and the UK: the accents. Sure, both countries speak the same language, but that definitely did not exempt me from the continuous use of the words “what” or “huh” when speaking to locals. It is more than a difference in accents, it’s a difference in dialect of the language itself, and truly proved to be a struggle crucial enough in my experience to make note of. The best advice I could give for this culture shock, as I would for many, is to do some research. English in the UK and American English, although the same language on paper, are not the same and approaching the experience with that in mind would be extremely beneficial when first arriving.
