[ID:8885] When you go abroad, everything is new and different. You’re absorbing a huge amount of information in a short amount of time. The cultural cues you normally rely upon have disappeared. Suddenly, you must adapt to new foods, new routines and new rhythms of life. Such immersion is thrilling but can also lead to a process known as “culture shock.”

Culture shock refers to the journey of entering a new culture, from first contact to full adaptation. Reactions vary from person to person, but the vast majority of travelers experience some version of the four common stages below:

The Honeymoon Stage

Every sight, sound and smell is intriguing!

Casey, 19, studied in Barcelona: “Arriving abroad I felt euphoric! I fell in love with absolutely everything about Spanish culture and thought the feeling would last...