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.

Last, but not least, personal living space is a different issue altogether in many Asian nations. In rural areas, space is taken up by crops. In urban areas, it’s skyscrapers, factories and other sprawl. Yes, we have these things here but we don’t also have the denseness of population that makes space so valuable. Home storage solutions are very creative overseas in Asia and, if you live there, you will probably need to get accustomed to having less stuff.

These are only some things to think about. I have purposefully chosen things that you may not consider to illustrate how much difference there can be.

Detailed preparation and careful study of other cultures is key to getting along there. Most people consider culture shock but not to any great extent and so, aren’t properly prepared for it. If you are planning to live overseas, don’t underestimate the extent to which you will be shocked.