Another aspect that varies due to culture is the entertainment:
Entertainment can go two ways. One, I’ll be focusing on movies, and two, I will focus on actual entertainment and things to do. With regards to the movie aspect, if you’re from a very religious and non-secular country, you know for a fact that a lot is cut out of movies and shows. Whether you’re watching T.V. at home, or a movie at the movie theatres, swearing, kissing and sex scenes are cut out. So, in Qatar when you’re going to see an R-rated movie, it’s more of a PG-16 movie. If you aren’t from the United States and you’re planning on going to see an R-rated movie, coming from a very religious country like Qatar, brace yourself. You’ll see more vulgarity in an hour and a half, than you’ve ever seen on T.V. in your life.
Way to deal with this: If it really makes you feel uncomfortable, then maybe you should stick to a PG-13 movie, and if it is a movie you really want to see, then man-up and be an adult about it. Just prepare yourself for what you may see so that you aren’t gasping in the middle of a movie like something bad has happened to you.
The second way the entertainment section can go is considering things to do for entertainment.
Back home, you probably know the drill: go to someone’s house, go see a movie (where half the scenes are cut out), or go out to eat. We cannot really have large parties because if they get out of hand, the police will get involved. If the police get involved and you are not drinking in your own home (with a liquor license or at a restaurant (with a liquor license), you are in A LOT of trouble. So, it usually is not even worth the hassle. Here in the US, the possibilities are overwhelmingly endless. You could go to other people’s houses, there are bars or clubs for 18+, you can go hiking, or fishing, or sledding, or take a trip to the city and go to a museum. There is so much to do and so many places to see!
Way to deal with this: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT ALL! It’s amazing to be able to be given such great opportunities, and whatever interests you, take advantage of it, and do it! I went properly hiking for the first time a week ago, and it was the most amazing experience! In Qatar, we have sand dunes upon sand dunes. We do not hike. But here, my friends and I hiked up a mountain that overlooked the Hudson River, and it was one of the most amazing experiences.
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TAKE AWAY LESSON:
There are so many cultural differences. Sometimes you need to know where you stand with certain issues, and sometimes you need to try new things and embrace the differences. Either way, you wouldn’t want someone coming to your country and expecting you to change the rules, cultural, and social norms to meet their standards, so you shouldn’t expect that either. Embrace the differences and the changes. Learn to live with them. And take advantage of every great opportunity that presents itself, because if you don’t, it may pass you by.
Dealing With Culture Shock: A Student's Perspective 