Foreigner Smash!

 While in a foreign country three approaches can be taken

• F*** that culture I'm from the best country in the world (this is not limited to Americans)
• I'm in love with this culture I want to be this nationality
• Don't mind me just passing through

I've seen all of these approaches and let me tell you they all make you friends and they also come with enemies.

F*** that culture approach: This is often seen from the fresh out of college crew who get the easy to come by jobs in Asia (Currently this is the ROK's problem) and they haven't really put any investment to learn about where they are going. They go with the stereotypes they were brought up on and not much else. 

                   Pros: These types are great people being the loud spoken jokers who don't really care what the locals think of them when they are having a good time. They are usually pretty good when you are feeling grumpy and just hate where you are because chances are they hate it too. They like to explore the touristy places and take fun pictures and party hard into the night with some drinking as a bonus.

                    Cons: The downside of this fun loving bunch is that they are often immature and not grown up. As stated before they DO NOT care what the locals think and if you want to take the other approaches being associated with them could cause problems. At work you may see some unprofessional behavior that upsets you. Being immature they can be gossips and drama llamas and let's face it if you have your own problems, do you really need them making more?

I'm in love with this culture I want to be this nationality: Ah the people who have fallen in love with a culture, often do to the public face they show outsiders and has never actually been there. They go by many names in different social groups and regional places, but we all know them and have our own takes.

                Pros:Usually these are the best people to go to for language study help or etiquette tips just in case you don't want to inadvertently offend your co-workers or the population in general. They can be great friends with the catch of being an introvert, but hey sometimes introverts are the best kind of friends.

                 Cons: They are almost obsessed with the culture and often times are obsessed with getting with the natives. So if you befriend them expect to be included on this get a native significant other quest and it is not always pretty. The country of their obsession can do nothing wrong, it could be killing babies in the street and they would say "Hey it is their culture" (that was an over dramatization btw). So your gonna have to stomach a lot to hang out with them.

Don't mind me just passing through: I feel like these people make up the bulk of the work force because they've come here for a job and not necessarily the love of a country. I find myself currently in the category so I feel like I can't really rate the pros and cons of them objectively. I will say that language learning is not always at the top of our list, but we will give it the college try to make our time easier. While we try not to blatantly offend the natives, we can't be expected to know every little gesture to make in every situation to keep things agreeable.

Anything to add? Feel free and I will edit these to include input.

 

Foreigner Down!!!

Unless you are made of sunshine and rainbows you are bound to get sick while abroad. Odds are it will be within the first week, especially if the place you are moving to is vastly different in cuisine or climate than your home country. Don't worry it is usually just a mild to bad case of food poisoning.

After the first week the fun begins, and how much fun all depends on how you got to your foreign country of choice.

1. Study Abroad - This one can be tricky because it covers the rainbow spectrum of fun because of all the variety we have in study abroad programs. It also depends on how lucky you get with your program. My personal experience with study abroad was all across the rainbow. After declaring myself sick and asking for help I was sent to a nurse.....who did not speak English, instead she had a chart of English diseases or symptoms with the Japanese counterpart. After much hyming and hawing I was told to go to a clinic where the first time my university was kind enough to drive me (it was ~40 minute bus ride alternatively) and all was slightly well. For the follow-up visit, I was told to get there myself and I would not be provided with a translator, instead I got to try and hijack any Japanese student who was walking by. Not so fun and not so helpful because the odds of them knowing medical terms turns out to be very low. 
2. Work - Again this is a rainbow runner, because it all depends on how great your company is. For company mandated things, you will get an escort and a translator I mostly guarantee that because you have to do that to be able to work there. When it is not work related and you just managed to hurt yourself or get sick....that is where the fun begins. At one point during my job my tonsils were so swollen that I couldn't eat solid food and drinking was painful enough to make me cry. I had a high fever and was extremely tired and dizzy (probably lack of food and dehydration) I came into work not knowing what to expect, they told me not to work and see a doctor. That was the good part, they then proceeded to tell me to walk to the hospital (~20 minutes away when you are healthy and walking at a decent pace) or I could go to the clinic across the street. The clinic across the street doesn't sound so bad right? Well they didn't know where it was in the building and this building had 11 floors and no one would go with me. I ended up getting lost and ending up in a chiropractor's office and it turns out I had herniated one of my lumbar as well. I have also twisted my ankle, and been given the look like I was complaining about a paper cut when I had to use a computer chair to wheel myself about and refused assistance in getting crutches. So yes it runs the rainbow.
3. Marriage - I have no idea on this one, if someone would like to tell me I'm all ears. I would assume you'd get treated better than #1 and #2 because you have someone who loves you.
4. Traveling - I would assume you are just screwed in this department because well, no one has a financial investment in you (#2), no one will be in trouble if you die (all the above) unless you are traveling with a company, and you really are just relying on the kindness of strangers if you don't know the language on a fairly high level of comprehension.

I think that covers the main reasons for traveling. I will say that improving your diet will definitely aid in preventing illness. If you want avoid street food, in certain countries it doesn't really matter, same with the tap water. Feel free to add personal experience and advice.