This summer, Tallahassee worked internationally with a number of Florida State University students studying in places like Spain, Italy and England. These students applied through the FSU International Program and, once successful, were given the opportunity to study in various locations for 4 weeks or she for 6 weeks. Many of these students had traveled before, but some stated that this was their first experience officially “living” abroad. As with any trip to a new place, customs and cultural differences are to be expected, but some of her FSU students said they still experienced culture shock.
One of the common cultural differences many FSU students experienced was the language barrier. “When I saw Italian in the grocery store, I never thought I would be unable to read anything,” says Junior Kayla Bakaneck, who studied in Florence, Italy.
Others had similar reactions, describing their shock when they tried to read simple things like dishwasher and washing machine instructions, or communicate with the server.
Language barrier aside, the difference in food service in Europe was a big culture shock. In the United States, attentive service is the norm in the hospitality business, while food service in Europe is more relaxed, and certain accommodations such as split checks and free water are often not available. To the surprise of many of his FSU students, public restrooms are also inaccessible unless you pay a fee.
Students also noted changes in Europe’s finances compared to the United States. Ms. Michelle Liebman, Jr., who studied in London last summer, said she missed familiar items that she couldn’t find in London or could simply buy cheaper in the United States. She noticed that British citizens have different shopping patterns than US citizens, she said. In the United States, people tend to buy items in bulk, but shop less frequently. ”
Some of her study abroad companions in London found that they had trouble learning how to walk on the left side of the road. I noticed that I was walking on the sidewalk.
FSU students studying in Valencia and Florence shared a common denominator of being withdrawn from the lack of central air conditioning. In the United States, most buildings were expected to blow up their air conditioners to beat the summer heat, and many students in Florence and Valencia were unaware of how dependent they were on their air conditioners before traveling abroad. says.
What struck FSU students most about their large-scale European adventure was the overall lack of convenience they experienced in the United States. When asked what they missed most about America and American culture abroad, the students responded with answers such as Target, air conditioning, free water, and athleisure in everyday wear. You can see how our culture has influenced how we view hospitality, prioritizing overall convenience as well as the overall consumer experience in stores and restaurants.
Lauren Albarino, a junior who studied at Valencia, found herself indifferent to basic details such as small talk and focused on deeper, more interesting topics of conversation. “It was interesting to see how little small talk people do in Spain,” Alvarino said. “They seem to want to talk about bigger things, more substantive things.” Everyone says so, but it’s true: they don’t work to live, they work to live. ”
As expected, the students who studied abroad experienced various culture shocks and even realized that part of American culture was missing. However, these FSU students also describe how rich and wonderful their experience has been and highly recommend it to fellow students considering studying abroad.
Leaving familiar customs and culture to explore another country can be daunting at first, but experiencing culture shock can make FSU students and other Americans more worldly. and participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.