+31 (0)6 811 33 988
At Home Abroad
  • Home
  • Corporate Solutions
    • Challenges
  • Individuals
    • The Dutch Culture Blog
    • Services
    • Workshops
  • Testimonials
  • About
    • Who am I?
    • Partners
  • Contact

My Week only had 6 Days...

1/6/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
How Does Culture Shock Affect You?

Do you ever feel lonely or alienated living in the Netherlands? Or do you ever feel like you hate the Dutch? Or do you ever get angry and frustrated at your partner for ‘making’ you move here? Culture Shock is the term used to describe the reaction we have to the stress of living in another environment. Whilst it’s not always nice, it’s a normal part of adjusting to a new country. Everyone goes through it, some people get through it quicker than others, some people suffer more than others, but we all go through it.

1 Comment
Niamh Quinn
7/6/2013 02:00:01 am

Excellent article!! I lived in Groningen for 2 years and since then have returned on many work trips from one week to six months at a time and indeed for short holidays to visit my friends in the Netherlands.

I can absolutely relate to the stages of Culture Shock. Even though I am from Ireland which is only an hour and a half travel distance to Schiphol on the plane - there are very significant differences in culture. When inevitable feelings of homesickness occur, these differences are magnified and it can be easy to wallow in the "I Don't Like It Here" phase.

However, I agree that that the "Deal With It" and the "Surviving and Being Happy" phases are obtainable. For example, there are many
- clubs sports, dance, language evening classes in Holland where you can join with others in a common interest
- internationals are working in the Netherlands and it is possible to find friends who are in the same boat
- interesting places to visit.

I also enjoyed the opportunity to easily take a train journey to visit another country which is not a choice from the island of Ireland. I also travelled to all parts of the Netherlands and indeed discovered that with this country there are many different regional culture differences that my Dutch friends also commented on when they moved to live in another part of the Netherlands from where they were born.

When you live abroad, your friends can become your family. For me, the best times I had in Netherlands is when I really connected with people.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe to our Newsletter and receive
     Top 10 Tips for Living & Working in the Netherlands
    * indicates required

    Archives

    March 2016
    December 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013

    Categories

    All

Our Solutions
Corporate Solutions
For Individuals


Testimonials

Company Information
About
Who am I
Partners
Contact

Picture
At Home Abroad is a registered company with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, the Hague, the Netherlands. 
KvK number: 57088136