How to Survive Culture shock
When you are preparing for your college adventures abroad， it's easy enough to make sure you get all the right forms filled out，have your passport ready， your bags packed， and your textbooks waiting for you at the other end， but how do you prepare for the adjustment1 to a new place？ Especially， how to survive culture shock2？
If your language is not the main language spoken， make sure you take some classes in the local language before you go. Phrase books are all very well， but listening is the best way to learn. Audiotapes are a good alternative.
Any travel agent can tell you what the average rainfall will be and where the best tourist destinations are， but that doesn't help much. Ask around to find out if anyone you know has been there. Ask the travel agent for any less tourist-oriented information and check libraries and bookstores. Make sure you pack toiletries3， medicines， and personal items before you leave. Sure， you can find a lot of things in the new country， but the brands and ingredients4 might be different and confusing， so go prepared. That will make it easier when you eventually do have to do some shopping.
Take a phone card so you can phone home for the sound of a familiar voice.
When you get on the plane， set your watch to the new time zone and try and place yourself in it. Drink plenty of water because flying dehydrates5 you. Stretch your legs and get some sleep.
Make sure you know where your consulate office is in case of emergencies. If you don't know， ask airport staff， university staff or use a phone book， but find it before you need it.
Remember， if you take an umbrella， it won't rain. Use the university resources available to you. Be diligent about attending things like orientation6. It might seem like a drag， particularly when you are tired and don't know anyone， but it will be worth it in the long run. Prepare a list of questions before you go to orientation or welcome functions so that you don't forget to ask for information you need. How do I get a drivers license？ Open a bank account？ Get a bus into town？ Can I use my electric razor / hair dryer here？ Where is the nearest medical center？ Ask to be put in touch with other students from your country or who speak your language. Many colleges offer a mentor or buddy system and if you are not staying with a family， making new friends can really help you settle in. Go for short walks to familiarize yourself with your area， and set yourself a task each time， maybe to find a newspaper stand that sells international papers， or to find a restaurant that serves familiar food， locate a currency exchange center， laundromat7 or cinema.
Later on. Remember， culture shock takes a while to get used to， so give yourself time. Even the most simple things aren't always the same in another country. Buses are different， so get maps and timetables. Road rules are different， so use extra care. The currency is different， so familiarize yourself with the money. Habits are hard to break. To get the most out of your study abroad experience， find a happy medium between home and your new environment. It's important to look for the balance. This is a little bit like changing the water in a fish tank.You are supposed to keep one/ third of the old water and replace two/ thirds with fresh water.That way， the fish don't completely freak out8.Their new environment is diluted9 with some water from their old environment. That makes sense to the students who study at another country. And once you think you got the water right， you can start to enjoy the swim！
如何克服文化冲突
当你准备踏上赴国外求学的冒险之旅时，填写各种表格、准备护照、打点行李、以及在学校那边为你准备好课本等等都相当容易，但你如何准备去适应一个新的地方，特别是如何克服文化冲突呢？
如果你讲的语言不是当地的主要语言，在你出去之前应当学点当地语言的课程。各种短语词汇书是必要的，但学习语言的最好方法是听。听录音磁带是一种很好的选择。
任何一个旅行社都会告诉你所去地的平均降雨量是多少和最好的旅游景点是哪些，但这没有太大的帮助。问问你周围是否有人去过那里。应到旅行社打听其他各种有关旅行的信息，并到图书馆和书店去查查。确保在你离开之前带上了化妆用品、药品和个人用品。毫无疑问，你可以在你所去的国家找到许多东西，但品牌和成份可能不同，让人搞不清楚，所以应该有所准备。这将使你最终在需要买东西时容易些。
带上电话卡，这样你就能打电话给家里，可以听到家人的声音。
当你上了飞机，把你的表调整到新的时区，并尽量使自己适应这个时间。飞行会使你脱水，所以要多喝水。伸展你的腿并睡上一会儿。
你得知道自己国家的领事馆在哪儿，以备出现紧急情况。如果你不知道，应询问机场工作人员、大学工作人员或从电话簿里查找，但应在你需要之前找到领事馆所在地。
记住，即使天不下雨，也应带上雨伞。应充分利用大学所能提供的资源，尽量参加像帮你熟悉环境这样的活动。参加这类活动看起来似乎有点烦人，特别是当你疲劳不堪而且跟谁都不认识时更是如此，但从长远看这是值得的。在你去参加熟悉环境的活动或去欢迎会之前，准备一个提问的单子，以便询问自己需要的信息。我如何取得驾驶执照？如何开银行帐户？如何乘车进城？这里（的电压）可以用我的电动剃须刀或电吹风吗？最近的医疗中心在哪儿？请他们帮助你跟那些来自与你同一国家或讲你们国家语言的学生建立联系。许多大学都有交友指导机构，如果你不是住在当地人家里，结识新朋友可以真正帮助你安顿下来。出去走走使自己熟悉所在的地区，并且每次都应有一个目标：或是找一个卖外国报纸的报摊，或是找一家卖家乡菜的餐馆，或是找一个兑换货币的地方、自助洗衣店或电影院。
过后，要记住，文化冲突需经过一段时间才能适应，因而要给自己一些时间。即使最简单的事情在另一国家也会不一样。公共汽车是不同的，所以要带上地图和时间表。交通规则是不同的，因而要格外小心。货币是不同的，所以要熟悉当地货币。原有的习惯是很难改变的。充分利用你在国外读书的经历，在家乡和新的环境之间找到一个愉快的结合点。找到这种平衡是重要的。它就像给一个鱼塘换水。保持1/3的旧水，换上2/3的新水；在这种情况下，鱼就不会十分反常。旧环境的那些水冲淡了新环境的氛围。对那些到异国学习的学生来说也是这个道理。一旦水合适了，你就可以开始享受游泳！
注释：
1.adjustment n.调整，调节
2.culture shock文化冲击，文化震惊（指面临异族文化或生活方式时可能经受到的一种困惑不安的感觉）
3.toiletry n.化妆品
4.ingredient n.成分，组成部分
5.dehydrate vt.使脱水，使干燥
6.orientation n.（主美）迎新情况介绍
7.Laundromat n.（美）自助洗衣店
8.freak out（俚）扰乱，使躁动不安，激乱
9.dilute vt.稀释，冲淡，减轻
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