Culture Shock Bingo: What No One Warned Me About Teaching Abroad

So, you’ve finally done it — you’ve packed your bags, completed your TEFL course, and hopped on a plane to start teaching abroad. You’re ready for adventure, language barriers, and a little confusion over foreign menus. But what you might not be ready for are all the small, funny, and sometimes bewildering moments that make up culture shock.

Everyone talks about the big differences — new foods, new languages, new customs. But the truth is, it’s the tiny, everyday surprises that get you. One day you’re confidently navigating your new neighborhood, and the next you’re sweating over how to pay your electricity bill at a convenience store counter while a line forms behind you.

So, to help you laugh through it (and maybe recognize yourself along the way), we’ve put together a lighthearted game of Culture Shock Bingo — featuring the real-life moments every TEFL teacher abroad eventually experiences.

Grab your imaginary marker — let’s play.

🧩 BINGO SQUARE #1: The Grocery Store Guessing Game

You stroll into your first grocery store with the confidence of someone who once memorized all the vocabulary in Unit 3: Food & Drink. But 15 minutes later, you’re standing in the condiment aisle holding a bottle that might be soy sauce… or maybe vinegar? The label is all in Korean, or Thai, or Spanish, and Google Translate is struggling.

You buy it anyway, because why not? Later, when you pour it over your rice and discover it’s actually sweet syrup or fish sauce — congratulations, you’ve hit your first bingo square.

(Pro tip: always check the pictures on the label. They’re your new best friends.)

🥢 BINGO SQUARE #2: The Chopstick (or Utensil) Fumble

You told yourself you’d master chopsticks in a week. It’s been two months, and you’re still chasing slippery noodles across your plate while your students watch in amusement.

Or maybe you’re teaching in Costa Rica and the shock isn’t chopsticks — it’s how nobody uses knives. Instead, you’ll see people cutting everything (even steak!) with the edge of a spoon.

Every culture has its quirks when it comes to food etiquette, and until you adapt, every meal is part performance art.

💬 BINGO SQUARE #3: The Accidental Language Slip

You’ve been practicing greetings in your host country’s language. You’re nailing it — until you confidently bow in Costa Rica, or say “gracias” to your barista in Seoul.

Culture shock has a way of jumbling your brain. You’ll mix up words, overthink gestures, and sometimes use the wrong tone entirely. It’s all part of the fun. The key is to laugh at yourself — locals usually appreciate the effort, even if you sound a little silly.

🎓 BINGO SQUARE #4: “Teacher! Selfie!”

You were warned that your students might adore you. You weren’t warned that you’d feel like a celebrity. In many countries, students are excited — even fascinated — to have a foreign teacher. You’ll be asked for selfies, autographs, and maybe even invited to family dinners.

It’s sweet and sometimes a little overwhelming. But those small moments of connection are what you’ll remember most when your contract ends.

🏠 BINGO SQUARE #5: The Apartment Mystery

Your new apartment is small but cozy — until you realize the washing machine doesn’t have a dryer setting, or that there’s no oven (hello, toaster dinners). Maybe you’re in Thailand and find a tiny lizard living behind your fridge, or in Korea where you’re still not sure how to work the floor heating (ondol) system.

Don’t worry — everyone’s been there. Every teacher has that one appliance or feature that takes weeks to figure out. By the time you do, you’ll be laughing about it with the next newbie who moves in.

🚌 BINGO SQUARE #6: The Public Transport Adventure

You hop on the bus, confident you’re heading to school — until you realize 20 minutes later you’re on the wrong one, heading the opposite direction. You press every button in sight, panic quietly, and then end up taking the scenic route through town.

Transportation abroad can be confusing, but it’s also where some of the best travel stories begin. You’ll learn to love those “oops” moments — they’re part of the adventure that makes living abroad unpredictable and unforgettable. We get it! Public transport can be confusing- so here’s a link to Korea’s public transportation guide for anyone who may need it.

🎉 BINGO SQUARE #7: The “Wait, This Is a Holiday?” Moment

You show up ready to teach… but your school is empty. Turns out, it’s a national holiday you didn’t know about — and now you have a surprise day off!

Every country has local celebrations, religious observances, and quirky public holidays. In Thailand, it might be Songkran (the water festival). In South Korea, it could be Chuseok. In Costa Rica, there’s Día de la Independencia, complete with parades and fireworks.

Your best strategy? Always keep an eye on the local calendar — and keep your sense of humor when plans suddenly change.

😅 BINGO SQUARE #8: The “What Did I Just Eat?” Moment

You’re at a staff dinner. Everyone’s laughing, the food looks delicious, and you eagerly take a bite of something new — only to realize halfway through that you have no idea what it is.

It might be fermented, spicy, or unexpectedly chewy. But whether it’s Korean sundae (blood sausage), Thai durian (the famously stinky fruit), or Costa Rican chicharrones, one thing’s for sure — it’s a story you’ll tell for years.

🤯 BINGO SQUARE #9: The Emotional Rollercoaster

One day you’re over the moon, in love with your new country, your students, and your routine. The next, you miss your favorite snacks from home or feel lost without your usual comforts.

This is the classic square — the real heart of culture shock. It’s not always funny in the moment, but it’s a rite of passage. Over time, the highs last longer, the lows get softer, and your new home starts to feel just that — like home.

✨ BINGO SQUARE #10: The “I Can’t Believe I Live Here” Moment

You’re walking home after class, the air smells like street food, the city lights are glowing, and your students just called you “their favorite teacher.” You stop for a second and realize — you actually did it. You moved abroad, built a new life, and made it work.

That’s the final square on your bingo card — and the one that makes all the others worth it.

How Many Squares Have You Hit?

If you’ve been abroad for even a few weeks, chances are you’ve already checked off a few of these boxes. And if not, don’t worry — they’re coming.

Culture shock isn’t something to fear — it’s something to embrace. It’s proof that you’re stepping outside your comfort zone, learning, and growing every day.

So grab your bingo card (real or imaginary), mark off your squares, and remember: every awkward, confusing, or hilarious moment is part of the story you’ll tell for the rest of your life.

Ready to start your own TEFL bingo card?
Get certified with myTEFL and teach abroad in amazing destinations like Thailand, South Korea, Costa Rica, and beyond. Because culture shock is just another word for adventure. 🌏✨