International Travel Handbook

ADJUSTING TO A NEW CULTURE

Having a successful international experience depends on your ability to adjust to a different lifestyle, schedule, environment, food, climate, time zone, social habits, and often a new language. Different students require different levels of independence and support. Identify and seek assistance in areas in which you need support while continuing to challenge yourself.

While cultural differences may seem exciting at first, they can also cause psychological and social disorientation, frustration, confusion, and other stressful responses. There are techniques to help you deal with cross cultural adjustmant and to calm down and refocus when you are feeling distressed. It is not necessarily easy, but with practice, it can work well. Redirect and divert your attention by playing a sport, joining a club, doing volunteer work, or doing another activity that you enjoy.

Recording Your Experiences Abroad
What really happens when you leave your familiar surroundings, your routine, your friends, family and community for a time abroad? One way to notice and understand the nature of the changes that are likely to take place for you, as well as to share them with family and friends abroad, is to keep a journal or blog. Observing, describing, recollecting, capturing, and composing allow you to reflect on what has taken place and make sense of what you are discovering. Perhaps you will learn best by simply talking about your experiences. Everyone has a different way of learning. By reflecting on experiences, the writer, photographer, or artist who is painting the scene shapes his or her views about the place and the people and about him or herself. Since your pace will likely change while you are abroad, you may find that you have time to pick up a pen and write airmail letters to your friends and family. You might also create a photo essay or enter the Harvard College International Photo Contest held every fall.

Gender, Ethnicity, Race and Sexual Orientation Abroad
The meaning of gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation and disability are perceived and treated differently from country to country. Everyone should be prepared for some discrimination in other countries and it is important to be realistic about this in advance, so that you may be able to anticipate and better handle interactions. It is helpful to speak with past participants who have similar backgrounds to you and program staff about what to expect in your destination country. Harvard encourages all students to go abroad, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation and disability status, and puts a priority on helping all students to understand the challenges presented by international education.

Women Abroad
Attitudes toward equality and gender roles differ widely around the world. Women may also experience unwanted attention, based on stereotypes of American women drawn from the media. Your host culture might limit women’s mobility, which can be frustrating. Strategies for managing your frustrations include understanding the cultural roots of different treatment of women and seeking support from others. To avoid harassment, dress conservatively and behave in ways considered appropriate in the host culture, and learn culturally appropriate ways to handle unwanted attention. It is important to differentiate between sexual harassment and cultural differences. Seek assistance from your sponsoring department or center, or local contacts.

BGLT Students Abroad
Attitudes and laws pertaining to sexual orientation vary throughout the world and it is important to know the laws and mores of the country in which you will be living, since there can be serious penalties for breaking them. In many countries, sexual orientation is not a public part of one’s identity, though there may be a BGLT scene or support system.

Useful links: • Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus
• NAFSA Rainbow SIG
• International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
• The International Lesbian and Gay Association

Students with Disabilities Abroad
Students registered with Harvard Student Disability Resources (SDR) who are eligible for academic and other disability accommodations are also eligible for accommodations overseas when such accommodations can be arranged. SDR is able to facilitate this process with adequate notice. Contact sdr@fas.harvard.edu for more information.

Mobility International USA is a US-based national non-profit organization whose mission is to empower people with disabilities around the world through international exchange, information, technical assistance and training. It is their goal to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in the international exchange and development programs.


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