Welcome to my brand new Blog! In here I will share my experiences of life and career in order to help you succeed with 5 easy steps. Who is MO? I am a Venezuelan girl living in Canada, married, graduated as an Industrial Engineer, actually studying Business Management and I love to do yoga.
The very fist thing I will like to write is about the Culture Shock. Since globalization is the new black, a lot of people are moving out overseas to obtain better professional opportunities and quality of life. Since I am one of them, I know that in some point you will feel what is called the "Culture Shock", which happens in the period of time of adaptation when moving out to a foreign country. The firsts months, everything is perfect and it feels just like a honeymoon or a holiday this is the first stage, however, that can change quickly when the responsibilities start to overwhelm, the fact that you are living in a different culture, also the feeling of irritability and hostility start appearing and you know you are in the second stage, then you notice that the differences in cultures are greater than what you expected. This may lead to the third stage which is frustration, when you think that your ability to finish things is not as it used to, soon enough will starts lowering your self-confidence and in that moment is when the sirens begin to sound in your head and you are feeling homesick by now. But let's stop for a second and comprehend that this can be change and I’m here to give you the Easy 5 steps that helped me to overcome this stages and successfully adapt in a foreign culture:
The very fist thing I will like to write is about the Culture Shock. Since globalization is the new black, a lot of people are moving out overseas to obtain better professional opportunities and quality of life. Since I am one of them, I know that in some point you will feel what is called the "Culture Shock", which happens in the period of time of adaptation when moving out to a foreign country. The firsts months, everything is perfect and it feels just like a honeymoon or a holiday this is the first stage, however, that can change quickly when the responsibilities start to overwhelm, the fact that you are living in a different culture, also the feeling of irritability and hostility start appearing and you know you are in the second stage, then you notice that the differences in cultures are greater than what you expected. This may lead to the third stage which is frustration, when you think that your ability to finish things is not as it used to, soon enough will starts lowering your self-confidence and in that moment is when the sirens begin to sound in your head and you are feeling homesick by now. But let's stop for a second and comprehend that this can be change and I’m here to give you the Easy 5 steps that helped me to overcome this stages and successfully adapt in a foreign culture:
1. Exercise! A busy mind will keep you away from
feeling homesick: it is proven that exercising will increase your "happiness hormone" which are the endorphins. This hormone can be release by doing activities that are aerobics or cardiovascular such as running, jogging, yoga and hiking.
2. Involve in activities you like (yoga, volunteer, social events, dancing, TIP: google activities or clubs near you)
Whatever activity or sport you like, find a place or studio near you where you can subscribe. Also, a lot of countries are more than happy if you like to volunteer. For example, in Toronto there is a centre that offers the chance to volunteer in any area you like, you can search in your favorite explorer tool if there are any of this centres where you want to move or are currently living in.
3. Expand your network (in steps 1&2; i.e.: neighbors, classmates, gym friends): be the ice breaker in the room, with a polite tone try to get to know as much people as you can while doing step 1 and 2, this will maintain you entertain as well as giving you the possibility of knowing future best friends and/or coworkers.
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| Niagara Falls
4. Get to know the culture (i.e.: language, traditional cuisine, holidays, festivals, weather) Since you are going to be living in the new country for a period of time, try to like it, to open your mind to new things and to take advantage of this opportunity.
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| CN Tower |
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| Canada's Wonderland |
5. Create a “home zone”: this place will make you feel instantly in home, this can be a room in your house with paintings or pictures that reminds you your home and give you the comfort you are missing, it also can be an activity you usually did when you were at home such as going to the movies, restaurants of your traditional cuisine, among others.
If you are Venezuelan, you will love to know that in Toronto you won't miss our traditional "arepas" or "pabellon" since there are restaurants in the city that prepare our delicious plates and also some markets like no frills sales our cornflour plus all the ingredients you will need to cook.
I hope that these Easy 5 steps helped you to achieve the adaptation stage wherever you are and to have a better feeling in the new environment you are now! Thank you for reading. See you in the next post of Easy 5 by MO.
Your feedback is more than welcome.
Your feedback is more than welcome.
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