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When you apply to come to Australia, you may not necessarily be thinking of the cultural hurdles you could potentially face. From language barriers to difficulty maintaining relationships, new Australian visa holders can experience a variety of emotions in a variety of situations. While we have covered some of these potential problems on our blog in the past, each issue is multi-faceted and complex.
With this in mind, today we are going to dive deeper into one of these topics: culture shock. It’s a common phenomenon faced not only by those living in a new country, but even those visiting for a short amount of time. So today, we are sharing thirteen ways you can manage culture shock if you happen to be experiencing it.
#1: Keep a record of what you love about your new host country
When you’re feeling homesick, sometimes all you need is something to remind you why you came to Australia. Part of keeping a positive mindset is all about positive affirmations, and the more of these you have, the less likely you are to feel a sense of imposter syndrome.
Keeping a personal track record of what you love about Australia can be a great form of positivity to hold close to you. There are many ways you can keep personal records. Three of these include:
- A blog that can be shared with people back home
- A private journal or diary
- An annotated photo album full of memories
#2: Aim to constantly learn
Keeping an open mind about Australia will allow you to absorb the new information you are receiving. From the slang words to the work culture, there are many things that can only be learned by asking questions or living in Australia for some time.
You can speed up the learning process by setting yourself some weekly learning goals. Some examples of Australian learning goals include:
- Aiming to master baking lamingtons (a favourite local dessert)
- Challenging yourself to learn five new slang words in a week
- Asking locals where the best cafés or restaurants are, and visiting them
- Participating in a locally-loved activity (such as watching the footy)
- Watching an Australian TV show
#3: Try to make new friends
Making a conscious effort to get to know your new Australian peers is a good way to make friends, especially if you have newly arrived. Try to start conversations with people in your office or class. Say yes if the work group is going out for a coffee, or if a few of your classmates have asked if you want to have lunch with them!
For some, actively seeking friends can be overwhelming and far out of their comfort zone. If this sounds like you, consider making friends in indirect ways instead. For example, involve yourself in groups that celebrate your interests (such as book groups or a movie buff club). Or perhaps you can join a fitness class, or a local photography club. Shared interests will inevitably draw you closer to new friends.
#4: Get into a routine
Organising your weekly schedule can help bring some structure into your new life in Australia. It can also help you figure out exactly where you can slot in a fitness session, or a social event, or a relaxing night in for yourself. For many, getting into a routine is the first step in minimising overwhelming emotions.
#5: Talk about how you feel
You shouldn’t feel ashamed, no matter how you’re feeling. But you should talk to someone if you’re feeling homesick, stressed, anxious, depressed or lonely; these are common emotions experienced by new visa holders in particular.
If you are studying, your Australian university will offer some kind of on-campus counselling that you can attend. If you’re working in Australia, consider opening up to your friends or close colleagues. If these outlets don’t feel accessible to you, it’s always a good idea to call back home and let someone know how you’re feeling.
There are also a number of free, anonymous chat services that you can access online or over the phone. These services allow you to be heard by a complete stranger:
#6: Try new things
Participating in new activities, trying new foods and going new places all allow you to grow your level of cultural experience. It can be fun more than anything else, but it also helps you become accustomed to the local way of life. Plus, not having tried a local tradition can be a fantastic excuse to get together with new friends.
#7: Treat home contact like a support system
Calling home might be a surefire way to make you feel better in times of stress in your new home. However, you should hold back on calling every single night just because you feel like you’re missing out. Contacting home too frequently can heighten the feeling of homesickness and can even make you resent your new surroundings.
Instead, limit how much you call home. This will allow you to catch up with friends and family while living your own life at the same time.
#8: Become a local of your new town or city
Becoming a local might sound unachievable, especially if you are very new to your Australian town or city. But if you set yourself some learning goals, it’s actually not that hard to become experienced in at least some areas of the city – especially if you enjoy them.
You can become knowledgeable in local activities and navigation by:
- Taking public transport more often
- Visiting lesser-known sites of attraction (such as smaller or more niche galleries and theatres)
- Going for walks and organically discovering great spots
- Listening to a local’s advice on where to go and what to do on the weekend
Building up knowledge of your new town or city means that you will strengthen your database of things to do. It has a domino effect: you’ll meet more people in that community, and you’ll even be able to recommend things back to people.
#9: Take care of your health
Something as simple as a good diet or casual exercise can make all the difference to your mood and energy levels in your new host country.
You don’t have to fork out hundreds of dollars to join a gym, either. There are plenty of refreshing walking trails in Australia – even in the cities. There might even be community walking groups you can join, allowing you to socialise while taking care of your health at the same time.
#10: Involve yourself with local communities
Just because Australia might be your new country, it doesn’t mean you need to give up your old hobbies. If you are religious and attended church every Sunday at home, for example, investigate your local churches and implement a Sunday visit into your routine. Join sports clubs or reading groups if that is what you enjoy doing, and you are sure to meet some like-minded locals.
#11: Treat yourself
While making friends by joining clubs and communities is a great way to combat culture shock, having some valuable alone time is another way you can recoup in your new host country. It can allow you to reflect on your experience thus far and rebuild your energy.
Everyone has a different idea of his or her perfect alone time. For you, this might be:
- Exploring the city or attending an event (such as an exhibition) alone
- Treating yourself to something you’ve wanted for a while
- Relaxing at home and watching a movie
- Pampering yourself with a massage
#12: Give yourself time
So, you’ve done your research on culture shock. You know that you should be exploring, making friends, getting into a routine and talking about your feelings with your peers and family.
But you don’t need to do all of that in your first week! Putting unnecessary pressure on yourself to rush into these things can make you even more tired or anxious, leaving you feeling burned out. Instead, pace yourself and ease into activities. Develop a routine that is a mix of work or study, exploration and alone time. And don’t be afraid to change that routine if you realise something doesn’t work for you.
#13: Don’t be too hard on yourself
Moving to a new country is never going to be easy. You’re going to make mistakes, even if Australian culture is similar to what you’re used to. You might get lost in your new city, or accidentally take the wrong bus. You might feel homesick. And you might feel like you’ve tried everything.
The most important thing to keep in mind as a new Australian visa holder is that all this is okay. It’s normal to run into hurdles in a new host country. Going through the motions is all a part of settling into your new home.
If you’re looking for an immigration lawyer for your visa application, AHWC Immigration Law can help with the process. Our skilled team can ensure the application is handled carefully from start to finish. Get in touch with an immigration lawyer today on 1300 887 818.
