Living overseas, especially for extended periods means getting over culture shock. People move different, they speak different, they even think different in foreign societies. Not to mention the time difference from place to place that shocks one’s system. So, getting used to living in another country is not easy.

So, prepare before you travel and get ready for the changes you will encounter. This is not as essential for short visits as it is for longer stays. The larger things are important and need to be researched. But, please don’t neglect to look into things that many not be as clear at first. It will save you much frustration.

People worldwide are obsessed with their appearance. However, in Asian countries it may be even more extreme. Plus, Asians tend to be fascinated by the physical appearance of Americans even more so. Just to give a small example, we in American have all manner of hygiene and skin product. But, we don’t have anything yet like the intense bb cream that is popular overseas. It works as a cure all for moisturizing, cover-up, acne and many other things. Asians go to extremes like removing the extra skin in their eyes to look more Western. They also aren’t inhibited about staring and even touching an Americans naturally kinky hair for instance.

It is a fact that Americans are obese and Asians are not so. In Japan you already stick out being Caucasian but, if you are obese and tall as well, you might as well have a blinking light no your head. You may want to get a personal trainer before you go to better fit in with the Japanese people if you don’t want the stares.

Finally, space takes on a whole new meaning in Asia. With overcrowding and lack of space do to large factories, abundant crop planting as well as urban sprawl depending on where you are in Asia, home storage solutions are really an American phenomenon. Your living space and your room for putting your stuff is quite limited in many Asian countries. So, leave things behind or send them home.

There are so many things to think about when traveling. As I have done above, it is important to really think over the obvious as well as the not so obvious things that you may encounter in your stay

Preparation an acceptance of culture shock is one of the biggest keys to living overseas for long periods. It is also one of the things that people consider the least if they have never traveled for long periods. And, therefore, it is even greater of a shock when they experience it.