Culture and Identity Abroad

Student identity resources for study abroad participants

One of the most rewarding aspects of study abroad is the experience of being immersed in another culture.

First, what is culture? 

One possible definition among many is that culture is the set of basic life assumptions shared by a group of people. Some cultural differences are easily observed, such as what people eat, how they speak, and how they dress. But to really learn about another culture, you need to go deeper. Studying abroad provides you with the opportunity to be immersed in another culture to better understand its values.

There are numerous rewards from cultural immersion, including:

Increased self-reliance
Desirability in hiring and graduate school
Enhanced language and communication skills
Discovery of new priorities and interests
Reduced use of stereotypes and expanded world view

While these rewards make the study abroad experience worthwhile, they may come with unique challenges and opportunities, particularly regarding your identity. Your background and identity help shape your perspectives, and a key part of the study abroad experience is encountering and understanding new perspectives. At Purdue, we want students from all backgrounds to benefit from study abroad in ways that are meaningful to your identities and goals.

Continued learning

Before you travel, try to learn about the culture of the country you will visit.  While abroad, maintain an open mind about what you experience.  If something seems strange, try to understand it by discussing with your program leader or someone who understands your host country’s culture. Follow these best practices:

Research travel blogs, local news and topics of interest, well-known people, and the key history of your host country
Observe others, including how they speak and communicate nonverbally, and apply what you learn to your own behavior
Learn at least a little of the local language including key phrases and questions
Don’t be afraid to ask for help; in fact, many people will delight in the opportunity to explain their culture and help a friendly visitor

Cultural adjustment is a process

“Culture shock” is a name given to the collection of feelings that sometimes arise when travelers are overwhelmed by cultural differences. The symptoms can include feeling lonely, homesick, overwhelmed, fearful, angry, confused, or judgmental.

We can’t prevent you from experiencing culture shock, but we can reassure you that culture shock has been overcome by thousands of Purdue students before you. Below are some resources that can help prepare you for your intercultural journey abroad:

Returning home is an intercultural experience, too

Many people find it challenging to return to campus from study abroad or other international experiences. See the section on re-entry and reverse culture shock on our Returned Students page for resources to manage this challenge.

Identity-based resources

If you want to discuss identity-related topics and studying abroad, you can always make an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor. Our office staff will assist you by helping you choose an appropriate program, working closely with partners abroad to advocate for accommodations and support, and sharing relevant information through advising materials like the Savvy Student’s Guide. In addition, below are some resources you can use to prepare yourself for study abroad.

Accessibility

Accessibility is an important consideration for many students who want to live and study in another country successfully. While we cannot guarantee that all our programs can accommodate your needs, we will do our best to inform you of your options abroad and work with partners to advocate on your behalf.