Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Valencia, Spain
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Valencia
Did you receive any cross-cultural training for your move abroad? If yes, was it before or after the move?
Studied Anthropology In Sydney, Australia
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With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.
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With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
If they speak another language in your new country, do you speak the language? If yes, did you learn the language before you moved or while abroad? If no, are you planning to learn the language?
Yes, learnt Spanish in last 5 months.
Were you worried or concerned about culture shock before you moved abroad?
No
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Traveling Mailbox serves thousands of travelers, expats, digital nomads, businesses, individuals and others in over 47 Countries by scanning their postal mail so they can view it online anywhere in the world. They provide customer service 7 days a week so if you need assistance, it is just a phone call away. Traveling Mailbox works with Evernote, Bill.com and Dropbox. And, there are Traveling Mailbox apps available for iOS and Android devices.
Traveling Mailbox
Traveling Mailbox serves thousands of travelers, expats, digital nomads, businesses, individuals and others in over 47 Countries by scanning their postal mail so they can view it online anywhere in the world. They provide customer service 7 days a week so if you need assistance, it is just a phone call away. Traveling Mailbox works with Evernote, Bill.com and Dropbox. And, there are Traveling Mailbox apps available for iOS and Android devices.
How significant was the culture shock you experienced when you moved abroad?
Did not experience culture shock or any other shocks, including COVID-19.
Expats often talk about going through the "stages of culture shock." Examples include the honeymoon phase, the irritation-to-anger stage, the rejection of the culture stage, and the cultural adjustment phase. Do you feel like you went through these or any other stages as you settled into the new culture?
No
What, if any, were some of the changes you noticed in yourself that might have been caused by culture shock? These might include things such as anger, depression, anxiety, increased eating or drinking, frustration, homesickness, etc.
None. I am a perpetual traveler & embrace change wherever I experience it.
What are some things you appreciate most about the new culture?
The ability to interact & communicate to understand another view of the world.
What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?
Cannot think of any.
Did you "commit" any embarrassing or humorous cultural blunders? If you did and you'd like to share them, please do tell!
Pronunciation of words in local dialect but I boldly embrace errors & place empathy towards others above my fears.
Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?
I don't believe in culture shock. If anyone choose to be shocked then it will happen, if the choice is not to be shocked then no shock will happen. Keep an open mind, because like a parachute, it works best when it is open.
Additional Information:
- Expat Guide to Valencia
- Health Care in Valencia
- The Essential Guide to Valencia
- Moving to Valencia
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Spain
- Best Places to Live in Spain
- Real Estate in Spain
- 15 Best Places to Live in Spain
- What It's Like Living in Valencia
- Pros and Cons of Living in Spain 2024
- 2024 Guide to Moving to Spain