Thanks largely to our 'Open-door Policy'（对外开放政策）, more and more people have opportunities to work or study abroad. However , while staying in a foreign country , a Chinese may also face many problems, such as language obstacles （障碍）, culture shock, and homesickness （思乡）. If he wishes new living environment , he should continue his language study, enhance （提高）his cross-cultural awareness, and keep in touch with his family members.

Language is often considered as the biggest barrier to most Chinese. Although many Chinese have a fairly good command of English before they leave the country, some of them still find it hard to follow lectures, TV programs, or even daily conversations upon their arrival in an English-speaking country. Due partially to their limited exposure to authentic English at home, some Chinese complain that foreigners speak too fast and not at all clearly. To get used to authentic native speech, a Chinese should try to live with native speakers of English in order to immerse himself in a real English-speaking environment. If he participates in all kinds of activities such as skiing , hiking, barbecues （野炊）and potluck dinners （自备餐）, he will be able to not only make new friends but also learn a great deal of English idioms. Of course, he should always keep two dictionaries handy: an English-Chinese dictionary and a Chinese-English dictionary. So, whenever he is in trouble, he can turn to them for help.

Some Chinese can speak excellent English, yet their lack of knowledge beyond language may cause a potential （潜在的） breakdown in their interactions （交流）with the natives. A Chinese should bear in mind that no one who travels overseas can be free from culture shock; therefore, he has to make adjustments accordingly. The process of adjustments to a new living environment or a different kind of people takes time, usually some months, for he has to learn new skills for coping with the unfamiliar. If misunderstandings really occur, he should avoid quick assumptions（论断）that Chinese customs and traditions are better than the local ones. Confusion, uncertainty, and /or anxiety are normally an individual's first reactions to strange and unexpected situations. Time can be a great healer and work wonders in cross-cultural encounters. With the accumulation （积累）of his personal experience and observation, he may find a new culture acceptable rather than shocking.

After having lived in an English-speaking country for some time, most Chinese have less difficulty understanding foreigners in terms of language, and gradually get accustomed to （适应）the new culture there. However, being away from home for a fairly long period of time, they begin to develop homesickness. To smooth away this problem, they can look at the photos of their family members, make regular long-distance phone calls to China, and write letters back home. In return, reading a letter from home is also an enjoyable experience. Although there is hardly any celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival in most western countries, a Chinese can still make an event of it on the eve by treating himself to a big meal, or having a dumpling （饺子）party together with other Chinese and the host nationals. Geographically a Chinese is kept apart from his family, but emotionally he still feels close to them. With some efforts, however, a foreign country can turn into a home away from home.

In a word, a Chinese living abroad can adapt himself quite well to a completely different environment. After a Chinese removes those three major obstacles, life abroad will appear much easier for him. Consequently, he will be able to focus all his attention on his work and study, and achieve great successes.