San Francisco State University

So What is Culture Shock?

Who am I?
Culture Shock Curve
 Culture Shock Symptoms

o Anxiety: worrying and stressing out

o Over or under-eating
o Over-consuming alcohol
o Feeling sick all the time--stomach or headaches
o Homesickness: spending lots of time video chatting with friends and family at home,
complaining about life here
o Helplessness
o Sleeping all the time, stop showering
o Only spending time with home nationals, avoiding & stereotyping host nationals
o Self-doubt: Not able to concentrate on studying, question ability to make friends
 What to do?

● Remember: You’re not alone, and this is normal! It takes time to make friends and get
to know a new place and culture
● Don’t compare your experience to others--you are a different person, on your own
unique journey
● Have self-compassion. What would you tell your friend in this situation?
● Work out at the rec center
● Reflect:
○Why did you come here?
What are your goals?
○What is in your control and what is not?
○Is there another way to see this situation that is bothering you?
● Get outside of your comfort zone!
 Get Involved on Campus!
● International Education Exchange Council (IEEC)
● IEEC buddy
● Join a club! List at: http://www.sfsu.edu/~sicc/organizationdirectory.html#top
● Attend events on campus! Student Activities Calendar:
http://sfstate.orgsync.com/calendar
● Sign up for an intramural sport: Basketball, outdoor/indoor soccer, volleyball, flag
football: http://campusrec.sfsu.edu/Intramural-Sports sign up at www.imleagues.com
● Ask to form a study group with some classmates
● Go to tutoring (Learning Assistance Center) for academic help:
http://bulletin.sfsu.edu/resources/tutoring-services-academic-support/
● Go to office hours to get to know your professors
● If you’re feeling overwhelmed and alone--talk to someone!! Me, a professor, someone
back home, or the counseling center (CAPS): https://psyservs.sfsu.edu/
 Explore San Francisco
● SF FunCheap: Free or cheap events happening locally https://sf.funcheap.com/

● 7 x7 Bay Area, local lifestyle magazine https://www.7x7.com/

● San Francisco City Guides http://www.sfcityguides.org/ Great free walking tours all

over San Francisco with different themes.

● Campus rec trips: http://campusrec.sfsu.edu/trip-offerings

● Check out local Facebook events--there are concerts and festivals happening all the

time!

● Local news: SF Gate www.sfgate.com; San Francisco Chronicle

https://www.sfchronicle.com/

● Instagram: @sfbucketlist @bayarea_buzz

CULTURE SHOCK BINGO
Contact Us

oip@sfsu.edu
https://oip.sfsu.edu/officeinternationalprogramsoip
https://www.facebook.com/SFSUInternational