Cambridge: Culture Shock

August 29, 2017

Overall, I have not experienced much culture shock here in Cambridge. The culture is quite similar to Boston’s. In fact, Cambridge feels much more like than U.S. than it does continental Europe. I don’t think I really went through the typical stages of culture shock: honeymoon, frustration, adjustment, and acceptance. Maybe just because I was only here for eight weeks, but I feel a combination of honeymoon and acceptance now, where I feel part of Cambridge but still enamored of it. I didn’t feel much frustration at any point. I did feel – and continue to feel – adjustment, but I don’t think it’s caused by being in a new culture. Instead, I think it was from starting new classes every four weeks and from finding new things to do here.

I’m sure I would feel a greater culture shock if, for example, I struggled with the language. But I think given all the media attention the U.K. gets (both entertainment and news) in the U.S., I knew what to expect (even if those media portrayals are generalized and a bit stereotypical). Also, a lot of U.K. culture seems to be congruent with U.S. culture. So, really I didn’t feel a huge shock.

Written By

Nicholas Napolio

At Northeastern, I study political science with a particular focus on American public administration, public law, and queer politics. While abroad in Cambridge, I plan to immerse myself in British politics and further my understanding of American politics by comparison. I am taking courses on European legal history, British criminal law, and gender & sexuality informed by British culture. These courses are similar to courses I have taken at Northeastern but will allow me to study the differences between American and British conceptions of each. In addition to coursework, the University of Cambridge offers social and cultural opportunities such as pub tours, trips to London, and weekly banquets.