Cat CDZ

The culture shock of being an international student For any student, moving away from home can be a bit scary. But I did not expect student life in Scotland to be all that different from my home of the Netherlands. After all, we get the same news and TV shows online. Many students find the northwest climate can affect them a lot. You may find the grayness and dampness, especially during the winter months, difficult to get used to. However, when I moved from Amsterdam to study at the University of Stirling, I began to realise that a few minor issues were catching me off balance. I was suffering a minor cultural shock. In my first year, I quickly found out my English was not as good as I had assumed. Most of my roommates were born and raised in Scotland, and I constantly found myself having to ask people to repeat themselves. Their Scottish accents did not help and I was mispronouncing names and places all the time. I also got confused about minor cultural things. Much to my flatmates’ amusement, it took me two Christmases to figure out that mince pies are not actually filled with minced beef. The linguistic barrier meant that public transport was tricky at first. I found the lack of information about bus prices and how and where to get tickets really surprising. It turned a simple 15-minute journey into a daunting task. Then I had to adjust to a new social life. I was surprised by the campus culture in the UK – in the Netherlands, most universities don’t have one main campus where you can attend university, as well as live and exercise all in the same place. But here, you never have to leave campus if you don’t want to. I had to adapt to everyone being so close to each other all the time. Parties are different here too. In the Netherlands, the less effort you put into getting ready, the better. I’d normally slip on my trusty Converse shoes, along with some clothes I could get away with wearing to class tomorrow, and wear minimal make-up. But, in my experience, partying is more formal in the UK. Your make-up needs to be flawless and your hair needs to be immaculate. You’ll preferably be wearing a dress and heels, too. I was constantly having to borrow clothes off my friends just to fit in. Parties finish early and everyone just wanders off, whereas in my country that would be the time I’d leave the house. But it is not all early closing times and strange pastries. Social behaviours may also confuse, surprise or offend you. For example, you may find people appear cold, distant or always in a hurry. Cultures are built on deeply-embedded sets of values, norms, assumptions and beliefs. It can be surprising and sometimes distressing to find that people do not share some of your most deeply held ideas, as most of us take our core values and beliefs for granted and assume they are universally held. However, I have found lots of pleasant surprises in the UK too – and so have many other international students I know. My friend Agnes was taken aback by how sociable people are. She says she was shocked when complete strangers started talking to her at the bus stop. I, personally, was surprised by how smartly male students in Stirling dress compared to my home country. Culture shock can knock your confidence in the beginning. But you are not alone in taking time to adapt, and soon you start to come to grips with all experiences. Studies suggest that taking a gap year or studying abroad can positively influence your brain to make you more outgoing and open to new ideas. Looking back, most of the ones I experienced made good stories to tell my friends. 2. Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a reason for the author’s culture shock?

Fill in: in, of, by, with, for, at or to. The comedian is famous ____ his monologue about winning the lottery.

Fill in: in, of, by, with, for, at or to. The Scots are famous ____ their economy.

Choose the correct word. You should know local _____ (habits, traditions, customs).

Fill in: for, of, with or in. The streets were crowded _____ shoppers.

Choose the correct word. There were no _____ (spectators, audience, crowd) of the accident.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. The comedian is famous _____ his monologues.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. I'm getting tired _____ your silly tricks.

Choose the correct word. The actor looked at his _____ (spectators, audience, crowd).

Fill in: for, of, with or in. His main reason _____ making this journey was to visit his family.

Choose the correct word. This funny play made the _____ (spectators, audience, crowd) laugh.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. He's interested _____ making films about war.

Choose the correct word. A _____ (spectators, audience, crowd) gathered around him.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. Kostya was especially pleased _____ his parents' gift.

Choose the correct word. Grandparents are often creators and bearers of _____ family (habits, traditions, customs).

Choose the correct word. You have an _____ (luck, chance, opportunity) to comment.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. She's interested _____ all the latest trends.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. The Scots are famous _____ their economy.

Choose the correct word. My parents always _____ (let, make, allow) me wash the dishes. I hate doing it!

Fill in: for, of, with or in. I didn't tell her because I was afraid _____ upsetting her.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. The narrow roads were crowded _____ holiday traffic.

Choose the correct word. _____ (Habit, Tradition, Custom) is a second nature.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. She's afraid _____ swimming in deep water.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. Eugene is pleased _____ his new computer.

Choose the correct word. My parents always wish me good _____ (luck, chance, opportunity), when I go to important meetings.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. I'm tired _____ working for peanuts.

Choose the correct word. Women are not _____ (let, made, allowed) to enter the mosque.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. Nick is interested _____ starting his own business.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. Don't be afraid _____ this horse!

Choose the correct word. Give me a _____ (luck, chance, opportunity) to prove that I can do the work.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. He gave me a cockamamie reason _____ not going.

Choose the correct word. Don't _____ (let, makes, allow) her go to this horrible place.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. At noon the sidewalks are crowded _____ tourists.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. Do you believe _____ fairies?

Fill in: for, of, with or in. I'm sick and tired _____ your excuses.

Choose the correct word. You are not Japanese by any _____ (luck, chance, opportunity), are you?

Fill in: for, of, with or in. Does she believe _____ God?

Fill in: for, of, with or in. This restaurant is famous _____ its spicy cuisine.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. His father was very pleased _____ his grades.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. That was the reason _____ telling her.

Fill in: for, of, with or in. A lot of people believe _____ reincarnation.

Choose the correct word. Thinking negatively can become a _____ (habit, tradition, custom).