Have you ever experienced culture shock - that strange, unsettling feeling when you're suddenly living in a completely different country? 🌍 In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I share our real experiences of living abroad and how it affected them emotionally, practically… and even gastronomically.

🎧 I will tell you about moving to Spain, despite speaking the language and knowing the culture well - and still being surprised by how challenging it felt. Meanwhile, César reflects on reverse culture shock after returning to Spain from 10 years in the UK.

Together, we talk about:

What really causes culture shock
Why it’s not the same as going on holiday
The unexpected emotions of moving “home” again
Food, supermarkets and missing oat/old milk! 🥲
The unique challenges of living in Germany, China, the US, and the UK
BUREAUCRACY 😩 and why it might be the biggest shock of all

Whether you’re preparing to move country now or are just curious about what it’s really like, this episode will help you understand the emotional ups and downs of building a life somewhere new.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → www.morethanalanguage.com
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Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

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And remember, if this C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

E41 Culture Shock Is Real: what surprised us about life abroad - Advanced level listening practice for English-language students

English and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & Communication

E41 Culture Shock Is Real: what surprised us about life abroad - Advanced level listening practice for English-language students