Traveling Around: California, United States
Can you relate? (to reverse culture shock)
(from an international teacher living in China)
- Pointing to things in the restaurant menu that you’d like to order (like you do in China most of the times, even if you do know Mandarin!) and having your family and friends laugh at you because it is more customary to just say the item on the menu that you want.
- Watching car after car slow down to let pedestrians cross the street as if they have the right of way.
- Not hearing the honking of car horns everywhere when driving down the street.
- Hearing the sound of a lawn mower
- Driving to all the stores we want to go ourselves, not using public transportation or taxis.
(from an international teacher living in South Korea)
- Actually knowing the difference between Korean and other Asian language when I see it on signs while in Los Angeles! (I never had a clue before!)
- Seeing no one walking on the streets……….everyone is in a car or bus.
- Getting a break from AFN (the Armed Forces Network) on the TV
- No extreme climate in California
- Noticing the “larger size” of Americans…..
If you are on a trip right now, away from your host country, write to us at admin@internationalschoolcommunity.com with your “Can you relate?” traveling experiences. Tell us where you are traveling in the world, what you are seeing and how you are coping with any culture shock. Once your Traveling Around experience is posted on our blog, International School Community will give 6 free months of premium membership!
