Don’t Fear the Culture Shock!

<p>When Marisol Mendoza (UC San Diego) arrived in Barcelona, she thought her Spanish language skills and previous travel experience would help her avoid culture shock. Instead, this nanoengineering student discovered that embracing cultural differences – from quiet Sundays to new perspectives on work-life balance – became one of the most valuable parts of her study abroad experience. Through nine months in Spain, she learned that culture shock isn't something to fear but rather an opportunity for growth that can reshape your future plans and global outlook.</p>

Make It Last: 5 Creative Ways Students Documented Their Time Abroad

<p>Contributors: Annika Sundberg (UC Berkeley), Chloe Margulis (UC San Diego), Corra Nordheim (UC San Diego), Jolene Marie Ku (UC Davis), Leanna Chin (UC San Diego), 2024 blog writing contestants You&#8217;ll take thousands of photos during your study abroad semester—that&#8217;s a given. But what about the inside jokes with your roommates, the taste of that life-changing [&#8230;]</p>

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