Transitioning Effortlessly Between Cultures

Having travelled abroad to many different regions of the world, sparked my interest in learning about different cultures. In order to fully understand people holding dissimilar customs, beliefs, and values, I had to put myself in their shoes by, in a way, becoming them. This would be done through both observations of consistent patterns, and mirroring their lifestyles. Immersing in any culture at any given time should be experienced by taking in a culture through both a fish, as well as a bird’s eye perspective; meaning, in order to fully grasp the true understanding of any questionable aspect to life, people must find ways to wear someone else shoes and be in sync, as well as make close observations from a distance. This practice can be done interchangeable and should be done consistently.
Although my encounters overseas has allowed me to grow in more ways than one, and has taught me to appreciate the very little things the average person takes for granted, I still find myself in challenging situations; sometimes being quite emotionally draining. Despite this though I am able to find my way out each and every time. Fluency is definitely apparent in every aspect to my everyday life.
Learning how to deal with Culture Shock, and overcoming Reverse Culture Shock enables me to become self-aware and open-minded to all pieces of a cultural puzzle, and therefore, placing myself in a unique position for self-growth and distribution of knowledge to those I meet as life unfolds before me.
What can only be gained from living and/or working overseas for a significant period of time? How are individualized understandings and new learnings able to contribute to the everyday life both within and outside people’s cultures and sub-cultures? What are the tools which can be used to transition smoothly in and out of “comfort”? Where do those new life-changing experiences lead to? Let’s explore this together.