I asked myself what I consider a culture shock. Coming from India, being almost on the other side of the planet, anything and everything is different from my own culture. Weather, food, dress, religion, festivities - everything! But how much of all that has been an actual ‘shock’ to me? Living in a cosmopolitan city in India, I was aware of what a ‘European’ lifestyle could be like, and what the heritage and culture of the continent might entail. I admired the beauty of Europe and the vibrant lives of its inhabitants - watching it on TV in my home in Kolkata.

As I touched down in Europe for the first time during a Dutch summer, the excitement of experiencing it myself came as a thrill. The real shock came with the snow. I loved snow when I was still in India, but now it appeared plain pale and depressing. On top of that, the sun rose in the afternoon and set way before Dutch dinner time (which is already so shockingly early)!

Fortunately, I got a most wonderful ‘shock’ travelling around Europe. The clear water of the Mediterranean, the sharp contrast the Dutch and German landscape, and the well-preserved Nazi concentration camps - it was a real culture shock to see all of those with my very own eyes. I felt shocked, thrilled, and amazed at the same time during the first year of my stay here, and I’m sure there’s more to come in the upcoming winter and the summer after that! Hey internationals, are you ready?