What do I need to be successful?
Key Learnings
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Prepare for living in a new country by researching language, climate, living accommodations, social norms, etc.
Minimise culture shock by investing time to experience your new cultural surroundings and understand local customs.
Know how to present yourself in any situation in order to make positive impressions that help you stand out and build stronger professional relationships.
To give an effective presentation, there are three elements that you need to keep in mind: have a presentation plan, know your audience, and engage your audience.
Effective visual aids can help the audience remember your messages.
Visuals should be an aid to the presentation – not the focal point.
Improving your professional skills in different areas (attitude, behaviour and presentation) will strengthen your level of professionalism and make more positive impressions.
Professionalism takes effort, commitment, and application.
Left unresolved, personal conflict can seriously affect your performance on the field.
Once you know your own natural response and understand the style of the other person with whom you are in conflict, you can adjust your response in such a way that leads to resolution more quickly and effectively.

Preventing or minimising culture shock

While time is the best antidote for culture shock, people can take proactive steps to prevent or alleviate it:

  • Anticipate it ahead of time.
    Understand that going to a new place (or returning to your home country) will not be as easy as it sounds and prepare mentally for a period of adjustment.
  • Try to learn about the new country/culture.
    Understand the reasons for cultural differences.
  • Be aware of the symptoms.
    Once you realize that you are experiencing culture shock, you can then take steps to deal with it.
  • Remember that it’s normal to feel this way.
    Stay proactive and don’t focus too much on the negative aspects of transitioning.
  • Ask for help.
    Be honest, in a judicious way, about feeling disoriented and confused. Ask your teammates or national federation for helpful resources. People want to help you adjust because the faster you feel at home, the more focused you can be on playing basketball.
  • Keep in touch with home, but don’t be dependent on home.
    Remember to reserve time for settling into your new surroundings and meet new people.
  • Make room for familiar practices.
    Doing the things you usually do will make life feel more “normal” in your new location.
  • Make friends with other expats.
    Many of your teammates, coaches and trainers may be expats as well, so they have probably experienced many of the same challenges (and adventures) that you will. Get to know them and share your thoughts, frustrations, and observations.
  • Make friends with local residents and join local groups.
    Don't seal yourself off—try to meet and socialize with the locals. You may find that local residents offer many opportunities to engage with the culture directly. Making friends with locals will help you feel like you are part of the culture.
  • Don't indulge in thoughts of home.
    Stop constantly comparing it (favourably) to your host country and accept the differences.