Are you prepared? Having a open mind usually help when you visit other cultures and countries. Complaining about things doesn’t help anything. So if you’re in a country where you don’t understand ANYTHING, ZERO, NADA then take time to learn a word or two each day. Trust me it helps.

When I went to Finland for my first season overseas I had never even heard of the country or the language Finnish. It was very different from the other languages that I studied and heard before. It took time to get adjusted. Thank goodness I had a great roommate who started to ask and learn a word a day. I caught on and borrowed books from the library to get a better understanding of the language. I learned enough to understand but speaking Finnish was/is a different story. It is a difficult language. After three years of visiting and playing in Finland I still can’t speak fluently. Only bits and pieces here and there but my understanding is average. Enough to know what the team and coach were talking about most of the time

So the key is to try to your best to acquaint yourself with the culture if you wish you make your stay worthwhile and fun. Visit the library when you’re there for language books and tapes or plan and study before you leave your country. That is the best advice I have. Planning before you leave is better and you can find the translation dictionary that you need in your home country.