Australian expats in America are never prepared for the culture shock that inevitably hits them. Socially, economically, and culturally, Australia and America are very similar, so when the differences do appear, it takes us by surprise. The resulting confusion and disillusionment is called culture shock.

Culture Shock can be quite difficult for an Australian expat in America. The excitement, delight, and adventure of being in a new country can quickly turn to homesickness and disillusionment.

One of the best ways of dealing with culture shock is to "be prepared", and that's what this page is all about. There are so many aspects of Australian expat's life that will change, being prepared for them takes a certain amount of the "shock" value away - leaving you better able to adapt and accept. This page will also provide many tips and suggestions for getting past the worst stages of culture shock as quickly as possible.

Reading through the topics below may just help you to be pro-active in dealing with your own personal culture shock. Many of the topics may also be helpful to Americans in Australia, as the differences are easily reversed.

Also, a great resource book for Aussie Expats, is "An Aussie in America - Laughter and Lessons across the Cultural Divide", by Anne Maxwell High.

Use the page index on the left to navigate through each section of the culture shock topics.