The culture in Asia is not the same as in the West. What may be considered appropriate or inoffensive in your culture, can be viewed completely different here. Respect, and personal safety, should be paramount. Also, culture shock in Thailand can occur, and people react differently - some are homesick, some get depressed, and others withdraw into themselves, so prepare thoroughly for your stay be reading all the available information. It important that the candidate is emotionally able to handle situations confidently, capably, and calmly.

Cultureshock is totally normal, but experienced differently by each individual.

Transition shock is a state of loss and disorientation predicated by a change in one's familiar environment which requires adjustment. There are many symptoms of transition shock, some which include:

• desire for home and old friends
• homesickness
• boredom
• withdrawal
• excessive concern over cleanliness and health
• feelings of helplessness
• irritability and anger
• moody
• glazed stare
• physiological stress reactions (i.e rashes, getting sick)
• getting "stuck" on one thing
• excessive sleep
• compulsive eating/drinking/weight gain
• stereotyping host nationals
• hostility towards host country

Click below to read about the strategies of coping with culture shock.

Strategies for Coping

Be happy and excited for this opportunity, and don’t expect things to be the same as your home country. Foreigners who follow this advice cope well with culture shock.

When you survive culture shock, you’ll find that you have a fresh outlook on your own culture and its roots, and will gain new ways of understanding yourself.

And always remember, what you are feeling is normal, and will pass.