The first time travelling away from your family to a country half way across the world is extremely terrifying for any individual. Even if you have gotten used to living in a different area than your relatives for college or work, travelling across the world to a country which does not speak English is a concept that would displease many. But for the brave hearted travelling to China does not have to be as dramatic as you believe. It is very true however that during your first month as an expatriate you will experience times of homesickness and moments which can be overwhelming. However if you persist you will be to first cope, then adjust, and then flourish within this exotic culture. In order to help with the transition, it is recommended that you join a study abroad program. Below are 4 good tips, whether you plan to only be in the country for a semester or whether you have signed on for several years, to use in order to help you through the first few moments.

1) Study Abroad Progam
One great aspect of using study abroad programs to study in China(www.glchinese.com) is because from day one you will be introduced to people exactly like you. Students whom have just arrived to China will be placed together and go on excursions which will not only allow your body to adjust quicker to the new environment, it will also create a safe comfortable environment were new friendships can be made even before your class semester begins. It is amazing how in a place so different how a simple sharing of culture can make friends out of people who are polar opposites.

2) Get Familiar with your local surrounding
Getting to know your surrounding area is the next step in allowing yourself to adjust. Identify the restaurants you would like to try, located the local stores and convenient shops. If you plan on taking the bus to school become familiar with the bus routes. When you join a study abroad program you will be accompanied during your tour of your local surrounds. All accommodation will be close to you place of study, and most of the stores will be in walking distance.
 
3) Make a Fantastic Western Meal
This one can be a challenge for many, however filling your home with similar smells of the foods within you home country really can produce a cosy feeling. This however will probably take a couple tries to pull off, especially as you are still getting accustomed to the Chinese kitchen you have and the limited ingredients you might find. If needs be prepare a cook book before travelling to China. This will allow you to learn the dishes you are most familiar with.
 
4) Find a place you fill comfortable with
During your study in China most time will be spend in class or at home. What is however very important is that you identify a third place you feel comfortable at. This can be café, pub, bar, mall, or a study abroad program lounge. It doesn’t have to be fancy or even foreigner-friendly, although the latter might be the thing that ultimately helps you feel at home in the beginning. Whatever place you choice, it must be a place which will allow you relax when you start to feel overwhelmed.

When you go to study abroad in China, you may have spent all your time before the course starts preparing for your lessons and the academic work you are going to do. Whilst this is obviously important, there is another aspect of preparation that needs to be taken into account. For many people, moving to China can be a shock to the system at first, because it is after all a different cultural environment than you might be used to in Europe or North America. Preparing for culture shock doesn’t mean you won’t find some things strange, but it does mean that you can reduce the adjustment period. Here are some hints and tips on how to prepare yourself for the inevitable culture shock, and some of the things that you might encounter.

Whether you decide to study in Beijing or a much smaller city, you may find the first shock you experience is the food. It is very likely you have eaten Chinese food before, but much of the Chinese food in China is pretty different to what you might be used to. Bones are generally left in most meat dishes, and a wider variety of meats and offal are eaten. There are also flavours that you might not have come across before, including bitter melons, preserved bamboo, and mouth-numbing majiao pepper. Although there will be things you don’t want to eat, if you take the time to try new foods and perhaps spend some time in Asian supermarkets before you leave to see what is available, you will be more familiar with the food. You will soon find some great new foods to eat, and will wonder how you did without these great Chinese dishes all your life!

Personal hygiene standards and practices in China can be quite different to what you might be used to, and this is often something you don’t really get taught in your Chinese language lessons. The first time you use a squat toilet will probably be as daunting as the first few Mandarin lessons you have, but you will soon get used to it. Also, even though there are efforts to stop it, spitting on the street is still very common, even in big cities. If you are particularly fastidious about germs and hygiene, then you might want to take a hand sanitizer with you when you are out.

If you are studying in Shanghai or one of the other big cities, then you may be shocked at the crowds that fill the city, particularly in rush hour. Add to this the fact that queuing in an orderly fashion isn’t a cultural norm in most parts of China, and these crowds can be very difficult to navigate. The best way to prepare here is just to practice being patient, and try going with the flow.

Culture shock can be an issue when you study abroad in China, but as long as you take the time to know what you are going to face, then you will quickly adapt and start really enjoying your time studying in China.