So you've done all the research, you've received your acceptance letter and booked your travel, and now you're landing in your host country for a semester or a year of studying abroad. Then it hits you, you've never even been out of your state before! Living in a foreign land is a very real culture shock, and getting used to the myriad of differences between your new life and what you've been so accustomed to in America can take some serious effort. It's not impossible, and since you chose your host country carefully chances are you've already got some sort of affinity for that culture or the people. Regardless, you'll feel like a local after just a short amount of time if you follow these tips for assimilating when you study abroad.

First of all, take the time to really learn the language. This is a moot point in an English-speaking country (although the accents and slang in some parts of the world can make English sound like a foreign language), but in many other places you will be truly lost if you don't learn to speak the local tongue. Get yourself in a foreign language class as soon as possible, and speak it in your daily life, even if it is a struggle at first. Hang out where the locals are and listen even more than you speak. After a few weeks it will start to come more easily.

One great option is to find a host family to put you up for your first few weeks in the new country. There's no better way to assimilate into the local culture than to see if from the local's perspective. Your host family will obviously help you learn the language, but will also give you the lay of the land, showing you where the best deals are and how to pick up what you'll need to get by. And family dinners are a great way to experience local food as well.

You'll also want to try and make some new friends as quickly as possible. The school may be able to help you out in that regard, as they'll often pair foreign exchange students with a local student who is willing to give you a proper introduction to the community. But also look to hang out where the local students gather, generally at cafes, bars and
restaurants just as in the United States. If you are going to venture out with other Americans you meet at school, just go out in pairs. You don't want to scare away the locals with you 'gang'!

Extracurricular activities are another great way to assimilate. The sports that people play in other countries are frequently different, but you should be able to find something you enjoy. Look for a pickup game and get to know the regular players. Or even check out a league if it exists. Joining a gym and taking part in classes are another great option. If you aren't the athletic type, go check out a sporting event as a fan. You won't need to speak the language to get the gist of what's going on.

While it may be uncomfortable at first, stop yourself from choosing American experiences. You've got to immerse yourself in the culture, and recognition will come in time. That means go to movies made in your host country, read the local newspaper, listen to local radio stations and watch local TV. You probably didn't pick your host country because they offer the best career counseling degrees. There is something about the culture that drew you in, and now is not the time to hedge your bets. The sooner you immerse yourself fully the sooner you'll feel comfortable. And that comfort level will lead to a healthy assimilation to take you through your study abroad experience.