“Problems become opportunities if the right people come together” – Robert South
An alien cultural setting can be extremely demanding. You will have to communicate in a new language while finding new, culturally appropriate strategies to seek out interactions. What is common to one culture may seem strange, counter-intuitive, or appalling to another. Language barriers and cultural differences will move you beyond your comfort zone and might result in feeling isolated and frustrated. However, overcoming these obstacles will create borderless opportunities for you.
Fear of:
– The “other”
– The “unknown”
– Physical safety
– Diseases
– Nutrition problems
– Being alone
– Making mistakes
– Loss of face
– Leaving behind family, friends, job, and security
– Loss of identity
– Not being able to settle back to one’s own culture
Hardships:
– Stress, frustration, and anxiety
– Unwillingness to change
– Lethargy
– Inconvenience
Constraints:
– Bureaucratic hurdles
– Finances
– Limited time
In short, there are many obstacles – but none is insurmountable. So, now it is up to you! Develop the will, conquer your fears, and learn for life!
Success comes naturally when you realise your opportunities. In fact, your opportunities start to multiply as you seize them. To be able to pursue your desire and reach out to other cultures, tenacity and resilience are indispensable.
Motivation:
– Determination to pursue your particular goals
– Awareness of the unique chance
– Eagerness to learn
– Curiosity to engage on a journey of knowledge discovery
– Will to go beyond your comfort zone
– Resoluteness to keep striving to immerse yourself further and further
– Courage
– Audacity to experiment
– Resilience to deal with inevitable setbacks
Respect:
– Willing to engage other cultures and participate in them
– Acceptance of other customs and traditions
– Critical reflection on your own culture
– Communicative awareness
– Willingness to question yourself, make compromises, adapt, and integrate
– Behavioural flexibility
– Tolerance of ambiguity
– Ability to deal with ambiguous situations constructively
– Appreciation for otherness
– Empathy
Commitment:
– Time
– Patience
– Open eyes and an open mind to see and comprehend differences
– Finances