Life / Culture Shock Since Moving to Poland - Anybody Dealt With This Before? [52]

I've been in Poland for almost 2 months now and I have to admit to hitting a pretty big low about a month ago. I've lived in several countries overseas before and although I'm sure I struggled with it initially, I don't seem to recall it being quite as difficult as this.

For me I think the main difference is that my previous countries of residence have been places where I speak the respective languages. I don't however speak Polish. I'm learning, but it's disimilar to any language I know. My culture shock realisation point arrived one weekend when I was with friends (all Polish) and they spoke more or less for the entire night in Polish. That in itself wasn't my problem - I'm in their country. They are more than allowed to communicate in their own language, and I welcomed the listening practise. However, as the night when on my brain switched off from listening, as it would, and turned to thoughts of "what on earth am I doing here?!"

I had been so happy and mesmerised by my new country for the few weeks after arrival, I hadn't had a chance to take heed on the enormity of change that I had thrown myself into. I had hit a low and I couldn't even talk for want of not crying, although I cried anyway. I just didn't want to cry more...!

The real depression part of it thankfully didn't last all that long and on the whole I am now generally moving past it. As I understand it though, these things are entirely person specific. No time frame can be put on how long it will last or if you can get passed it.

My only advice would be keep yourself busy. I have now managed to find a job and I am taking Polish classes a few nights a week. In all honesty, I don't really have time to think about how difficult things are sometimes. Stay positive. Poland is wonderful and I really believe that it has a lot to offer. I hope you get through it soon and start to enjoy your new country.

Good luck :)

Life / Culture Shock Since Moving to Poland - Anybody Dealt With This Before? [52]

Whilst I don't deny that living in Japan is a huge culture shock, I don't think it's possible to underestimate the effect living overseas can have on a person, not matter how temporary it may be. Like I said before, it depends on the person. It's great that you managed to settle into Poland quickly, but I suppose if you were comparing it to your experience in Japan, I imagine the culture is more somewhat European and what you know, making it easier.

The point is though, culture is to be expected. I know this now - it would have been helpful if my brain had given me a heads up before I came here. It has to be said that when I was feeling miserable intially I had no idea what was wrong with me! Acceptance of the whole thing seemed to help though.

In essence it sounds trivial, but for each person it's different and holds varying levels of importance. Wherever in the world you choose to live however, the same rule applies: life is what you make it!

Life / Culture Shock Since Moving to Poland - Anybody Dealt With This Before? [52]


Firstly, I'd like to point out that I wasn't complaing, but merely sharing my experience, which is what the author of this post was asking for, which is what others were also doing.

I said before in a previous post that I don't deny that someone else's experience may be "tougher" so to speak, and there are those who (believe they) can go to any country in the world without any kind of reaction, but again everyone's experience is person specific.

I have lived overseas enough to know that there are times when you hit a low. It's not necessarily that I miss home, but it's just adapting. This doesn't make me a weaker person for accepting it as some degree of culture shock.

What's more, if you knew anything about me you would know that viewing my native country as "better" is far from what I do. In fact, I have known for a long time that I don't want to live and work anywhere in Scotland or the UK, ever.

I am not naive enough to expect everything in Poland to be the same as the culture I know. That said, I am familiar with several other cultures, so I too see myself as adaptable, despite what you may think. I am well aware of my options and I am living my life. At the end of the day if I weren't such a person I would never have taken the decision to move here. Yes, I now have a job, a flat, friends and am learning the language, but I didn't have any of that before I came here - none of it was guaranteed. I did it because I love my life in Poland and I want to stay here. I don't sit and cry in room everything night and dream about being back home in narrow-minded British culture.

In my post I merely explained my personal, somewhat temporary low seem, but not moaning continuously about how terrible my life in Poland is and how I want to go back home, which couldn't be further from the truth. I love Poland and my life here.

Oh and one more thing, if you name me one person that is ever on a high constantly, regardless of country I'd be more than shocked.

Even if I were at home I would have low moments, because it's normal. Because it's life and it's fecking wonderful! :)

Life / Culture Shock Since Moving to Poland - Anybody Dealt With This Before? [52]

I feel I may have given the wrong impression of my friends. Generally since I've been here they have made great efforts to communicate with me in English - my closest friend (who is also part of the reason I moved here) speaks to me only in English, although now we try and speak Polish for about 15 minutes a day. I understand a little, but speaking always lags behind...

For the rest of them though English is more of an effort and whilst they can communicate to a degree, they struggle. I do get frustrated sometimes when I miss complete parts of sentences and conversations (and don't even get me started on jokes, where I'm at a complete loss), but on the whole it's probably a good thing that my brain is getting used to the language. I know that Poles in the UK are expected to speak English, so in theory it should work the other way around...aah, theory.

As for another city, we'll see. I think I need to give £ódź a chance. I'm getting settled with a job now, which is good so I hope things continue to work out. I will most definitely need to visit Wrocław and Kraków, not to mention Gdańsk.

Thanks for the advice though and I hope I haven't given you too bad an impression of my friends - they're lovely people really :)