Job Discussion Forums

[renzobenzo1]

So I'm into my second international teaching 'campaign' signing up for another year. Which is actually quite a long time in the spectrum of one's life and also a gruelling task of transitioning into the new country.
So I was wondering if anyone had any general tips for making the experience a more enjoyable and less stressful one.
It's one thing fitting into a new work culture but also getting accustomed to a new living climate also can be testing.
Maybe people could share any ideas or tricks of the trade they have picked up whether it be easening culture shock or do's and don'ts picked up along the way.
Yes cultures and places will vary but you can put specifics if you like

One of mine I'm learning more and more is to learn the local language as much as possible. Even a few basics to get you by.

[Phil_K]

For sure, learning the language is important, and the more you try, the quicker you will learn, or rather absorb it.

Also, try not to mix too much with ex-pats. It is good to have their support and input, but try to make friends with locals, especially those who speak English (but try at the same time to learn some of the language from them).

Be willing to try anything, even if it seems strange to you. Particularly, get used to what the locals eat, and eat it yourself.

Sooner or later, you will start feeling that going back to your own country would be a culture shock!

[Glenski]

Study what you can about the country's culture (daily life, business life in general, school business life in specific).

Don't take your homeland's morals with you (openly). Accept or adapt to the new ones.

Learn some of the language.

Don't mope around and complain with other foreigners about the above 3 points. Learn to live with them, or consider a different place.

[denise]

One year isn't very long at all. It may be a long time to travel around the world, but it really doesn't give you much time to get settled into a new country and a new job. It can take a few months to learn your way around, get a bank account, adjust to your students' learning styles, etc., and if you're only staying for a year, then as soon as you get settled in it's time to think about packing up and starting all over again!

The suggestions already mentioned above are great. I'd just like to add a comment about the short duration of your stay: don't bring or buy a lot of stuff! If you're going to be somewhere for a number of years, sure, bring your whole wardrobe, go out and buy little trinkets for your home, etc.: make your home life comfortable. If you're only staying for a year, the hassle of having to pack it all up and/or leave it all behind doesn't really make it worthwhile.

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[naturegirl321]

Adding to the above. Get a hobby, and find some time for yourself, it helps to get away from it all for a while. LIving in another country and culture can be mentally stressful.

[karoo213]

Don't you think it helps to actually SEE some of the country and travel around a bit before settling in a city? I think that can ease the transition a little bit too, don't you agree?

[spiral78]

Not necessarily. I know many teachers who, like me, went to Prague for a training course, settled successfully into the city, and to whom the surrounding regions came as a pleasant surprise later on.

In the CR, living in Prague is pretty substantially different from living in a small town, in terms of not needing to speak Czech, having a substantial expat community, and something of a constant buzz. All of these elements may be present in some smaller towns, but Prague's quite different from the rest of the country in many ways.

I think it's the same in a lot of places.

Not to say that it's a bad idea to travel around first - just not absolutely necessary!