I think I am experiencing culture shock, and I haven’t even left yet.
After the world’s longest winter break, I leave tomorrow for Krakow, Poland. This will be my third trip to Poland, following closely on the heels of a six-week language course I did last summer in Lublin, in eastern Poland. Having studied abroad so recently, I feel almost as comfortable packing for Poland as I do packing for Georgetown each year. I know that I can probably wear long sleeves well into the summer in Poland. I know which toiletries to bring, which to buy, and which to leave behind when I return in July. I already have a Polish cell phone number.
But having studied abroad so recently is a double-edged sword. On one hand I feel more prepared; on the other hand I feel like I know too much. Anticipating my life in Poland for the next five months, I identify with the feelings of the second stage of culture shock: “discontent, impatience, anger, sadness, and feeling incompetence.” I know I am terrible at navigating the Polish rail system and making small talk in Polish. I know I will get tired of mild Polish cuisine and angry that I can’t anticipate exactly what a specific menu item will be like. I know I will be frustrated that there is no 24-hour CVS or grocery store. I should be careful about reimagining all the challenges I faced in Lublin reemerging in Krakow, but when faced with an unknown situation, it’s a struggle to not project the experiences I’ve had in Poland to try to mitigate that uncertainty. But the reality is I’m not flying to Krakow a blank slate, and everything will not be new and exciting.
As I struggle with my predeparture culture shock, which compounds my general nervousness about living an ocean away from everything I know, I have to try to look at the bright side. First, while everything about Krakow may not be new and exciting, there will be lots that is. Second, perhaps the fact that my six weeks in Poland last summer left me seemingly stuck in the second stage of culture shock is actually positive. When I get to Poland, instead of dwelling in stage two, I hope I will be able to quickly work out strategies to accept and cope with my frustrations. I hope that stage two propels me into stage three—an increased understanding of Polish culture and the beginnings of feeling like I could belong.
