Taking an Overseas Teaching Position? How to Prepare for the Culture Shock

Culture shock will hit everyone who chooses to move abroad for an English teaching position. The sooner people accept that this will happen; the easier it will be to deal with culture shock once they take up their TEFL position in another country.

How to Prepare for Culture Shock Before Leaving for an Overseas Teaching Position: Learn About the Country

The first thing teachers should do is to learn as much as they can about the country they will be moving to. Travel guides are a great resource and can provide a lot of useful information such as cultural issues you need to be aware of, food, religion, the country's history and physical landscape. Maps are also provided in travel guides. You will need to become accustomed to the physical landscape of the country and maps will be an invaluable tool at this time. Take the time to study the maps and to locate where you will be moving to.

How to Prepare for Culture Shock Before Leaving for an Overseas Teaching Position: Talk to People Who Have Lived or Who Currently Live in the Country

An English teacher can learn a great deal about the country they will be moving to if they take the time to talk to people who have lived there or currently live in the country they will be moving to. Be sure to ask people for specific advice about the country. How do the locals feel about alcohol? How do people dress? What recommendations would they give about housing?

How to Prepare for Culture Shock Before Leaving for an Overseas Teaching Position: Take a part of home with you

Moving to a foreign country to work is going to be very hard, even if you are excited about the move and are eagerly looking forward to boarding the plane. It is important to acknowledge the fact early on and to not just assume that you will be the exception to the rule. You won't be. One way in which you can prepare for culture shock when you first arrive is to take a part of home with you. A small photo album, a few framed family pictures and other personal items from home can help you to still feel a connection to your family and to your home country.