Culture Shock From Thailand to the United States
Navigating the New World of Culture Shock
At fifty-seven, newly divorced and yearning for companionship, I ventured into the world of online dating. A seasoned traveler with grown children, I felt free to explore wherever life led me. After some missteps, I connected with a remarkable woman in Thailand—a Public Relations Manager and Psychologist at a government hospital. Our bond grew over six months of emails and Skype calls. Two trips to Thailand later, we celebrated our union in a traditional Thai ceremony. I returned to Arkansas, working as a database administrator, while she waited ten months for her visa. Once her paperwork was approved, she joined me in the U.S., where she faced a world of culture shock.
Adjusting to Time Zones and Climate
Her first encounter with culture shock began with the climate and time zone changes. After a long journey across the Pacific, compounded by jet lag and the chilly November air of Los Angeles, she was exhausted. The twelve-hour time difference meant sleepless nights and groggy afternoons.
Overcoming Language Barriers
Although she had studied English for four years in high school, her exposure was limited. Her previous work at an international resort provided some practice, but rapid American speech and unfamiliar slang were daunting. In Thailand, she was an eloquent speaker, yet here she felt like a novice, grappling with confidence and homesickness. Everyday phrases seemed strange, and cultural nuances like eye contact and personal space required adjustment.
Navigating American Roads
Driving in America presented new challenges. Used to driving on the left in Thailand, adapting to American roadways was disorienting. She tackled unfamiliar signs and strict traffic laws, like speed limits, which required two attempts to pass the driver’s test. A warning for speeding reinforced the need for caution on American roads.
The Culinary Learning Curve
Food became a daily puzzle. At quick-service restaurants, understanding menus and ordering systems, like side dishes versus portion sizes, was challenging. Miscommunications were common, and the concept of tipping was entirely foreign. At restaurants, she embraced trying new foods but faced confusion, such as expecting a glass of wine that was actually in the sauce of her meal. The cultural expectation of tipping, regardless of satisfaction, and understanding when ID was required for alcohol, were all new to her.
Shopping and Financial Transactions
Shopping also required adjustment. Clothing sizes differed, leading her to the teen section for a proper fit, and online orders often disappointed. Financial transactions posed puzzles, too—terms like cashback were unfamiliar, and drive-through banking presented unique challenges. Daily tasks like using vending machines, cooking appliances, and even grocery shopping involved learning new systems and products.
Grappling with Healthcare Differences
Healthcare in America added another layer of culture shock. Obtaining prescriptions required navigating a system entirely different from the straightforward process in Thailand. Understanding medical costs and insurance intricacies proved overwhelming.
Finding Employment and Identity
Her professional experience was vast in Thailand but starting anew in America was difficult. Language barriers and the challenge of gaining credential recognition limited her opportunities, but perseverance led her to a supervisory role in a care facility. She embraced new ventures, starting a business and exploring further education.
Embracing a New Life
Time and patience helped her adapt. Embracing activities like meditation, exercise, and social connections eased the transition. She sought out her Thai heritage within the community and maintained connections with family through technology. A supportive network and an optimistic mindset pulled her through culture shock, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
To anyone experiencing culture shock, the advice is clear: Stay calm and open-minded. It’s a journey, and with resilience, you’ll emerge stronger and happier, ready to embrace a new way of life.
—
For dental care needs in the Hillsboro area, contact East Wind Hillsboro Dental Care at 503-614-0198. Located at 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA. Visit our website at https://www.eastwinddentalcare.com.
East Wind Dental Care
Dental Implant placement in Hillsboro, Oregon, and Beaverton Oregon
family dentistry in Hillsboro
https://eastwinddentalcare.com
amily and Cosmetics Dentistry in Hillsboro, Oregon.
East Wind Dental Care Family and cosmetics dentistry in Hillsboro Oregon. We at East Wind Dental Care are committed to providing quality dental care to families located in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients' oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients' objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful. East Wind Dental Care at Hillsboro, Oregon provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our website includes information on the following items: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Dentures, Dental Crowns and more. Our Dentist and expert staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This comprehensive approach sets patients of East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro on the road to recovery and long term oral health. When you walk into the office of East Wind Dental Care you will be immediately greeted by our friendly staff who are dedicated to making sure that you feel comfortable during your entire appointment. We understand that patients can feel anxious when going to the dentist, and our staff will take the time to listen to all of your concerns and help you understand exactly what your procedure is going to be like. At East Wind Dental Care we pride ourselves on being an affordable family dentist that accepts a variety of insurance plans and payment options like cash and credit cards, because we want to provide a beautiful, healthy smile to everyone in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area. Call East Wind Dental Care today at 503-614-0198 to see why we are the dentist of choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area.
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Website: https://www.eastwinddentalcare.com
Dentist in Hillsboro, OR - East Wind Dental Care provides general dentistry in Hillsboro. Make your next family dentist appointment at East Wind Dental Care. General Dentistry, Preventative Dentistry, Pediatric (Kids!) Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Tooth Replacement. Crowns and Bridges, Dental Implants & Mini Dental Implants Dentures (with specialty), Complete denture, Partial Dentures.
East Wind Dental Care
Family and cosmetics dentistry in Hillsboro Oregon.
We at East Wind Dental Care are committed to providing quality dental care to families located in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients' oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients' objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful.
East Wind Dental Care at Hillsboro, Oregon provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our website includes information on the following items: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Dentures, Dental Crowns and more. Our Dentist and expert staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This comprehensive approach sets patients of East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro on the road to recovery and long term oral health.
When you walk into the office of East Wind Dental Care you will be immediately greeted by our friendly staff who are dedicated to making sure that you feel comfortable during your entire appointment. We understand that patients can feel anxious when going to the dentist, and our staff will take the time to listen to all of your concerns and help you understand exactly what your procedure is going to be like. At East Wind Dental Care we pride ourselves on being an affordable family dentist that accepts a variety of insurance plans and payment options like cash and credit cards, because we want to provide a beautiful, healthy smile to everyone in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area. Call East Wind Dental Care today at 503-614-0198 to see why we are the dentist of choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area.
East Wind Dental Care
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Opening Hours Mon - Fri: 8:00 - 17:00 and Saturdays with appointments.
Website: https://eastwinddentalcare.com/
Make an appointment online at https://eastwinddentalcare.com/contact-3/
