Your Personality and Your New Culture

The five main personality traits, collectively known as the Big Five or Five Factor Model, offer a comprehensive framework for understanding the diverse dimensions of human personality. They are Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (Emotional Stability).

Openness to Experience reflects an individual's receptivity to new ideas and their propensity to explore the unknown. Conscientiousness emphasizes traits such as organization, responsibility, and self-discipline, shaping an individual's approach to tasks and goals. Extraversion captures one's preference for social interactions, highlighting their energy and enthusiasm in group settings. Agreeableness delves into a person's inclination towards cooperation, empathy, and harmonious relationships. Lastly, Neuroticism, often referred to as Emotional Stability, gauges an individual's emotional resilience and the extent to which they experience anxiety or mood fluctuations. These five traits interplay to shape our personalities and influence our behaviors, thoughts, and interactions in various contexts.

Below is a description of what it means to be low versus high in each of the five personality traits. The descriptive words will help you identify which traits resonate most closely with your personality. Following this is a table of preferred situations and action items that might work for you.

Low Openness to Experience: Individuals low in openness tend to prefer familiar routines and established ways of doing things. They may be described as practical, traditional, and conservative.
High Openness to Experience: People high in openness embrace novelty and enjoy exploring new concepts and ideas. They are often seen as imaginative, unconventional, and curious.
Low Conscientiousness: Low conscientiousness is associated with a more relaxed, spontaneous approach to life. Individuals with low conscientiousness might be seen as carefree, flexible, and less focused on structure.
High Conscientiousness: High conscientiousness individuals value organization, planning, and structure in their lives. They are often seen as responsible, disciplined, and detail-oriented.
Low Extraversion: Low extraversion indicates a preference for solitude or one-on-one interactions over large social gatherings. Those low in extraversion might be described as reserved, introspective, and quiet.
High Extraversion: People high in extraversion thrive in social settings, enjoying interactions with others and seeking out group activities. They are often described as outgoing, energetic, and enthusiastic.
Low Agreeableness: Low agreeableness individuals prioritize their own needs and opinions over others, and may appear more assertive or competitive. They might be seen as direct, self-reliant, and outspoken.
High Agreeableness: High agreeableness individuals value harmony and cooperation, often putting others' needs before their own. They are typically described as friendly, empathetic, and helpful.
Low Emotional Stability (Neuroticism): A lower Emotional stability may mean that you experience the ups and downs with more nuance. People who score higher on this trait, conversely, can sometimes come across as a bit detached or dispassionate. This is especially true if they also score low on Agreeableness and/or Openness. They are typically described as reflective, sensitive, empathetic, reactive, prone to mood fluctuations.
High Emotional Stability: People high in emotional stability exhibit strong emotional resilience and stability, experiencing fewer mood swings or emotional fluctuations. They are often described as composed, level-headed, and emotionally steady.

Personality and Action Items


  
    Personality Trait
    Preferred Situations
    Actions Items in the Next Week
    General Preferred Actions while Abroad
  

    Low Openness to Experience
    Familiar routines and environments. Predictable and structured activities.
    Stick to familiar activities and routines. (e.g., visit a local cafe you know well).
    Explore places or activities that align with your known interests. (e.g., visit a chain restaurant from your home country).
  

    High Openness to Experience
    Unconventional events and settings. Artistic and intellectual gatherings.
    Attend an art exhibition or try a new cuisine. (e.g., visit a gallery showcasing local artists).
    Engage in activities that challenge your perspective. (e.g., attend a traditional dance performance).
  

    Low Conscientiousness
    Unstructured social gatherings. Spontaneous outings with minimal planning.
    Attend an unplanned meetup or join a group on a whim. (e.g., go to a local park gathering).
    Embrace spontaneity and adapt to changing plans. (e.g., decide to explore a new area without a set agenda).
  

    High Conscientiousness
    Organized workshops and seminars. Well-structured events with clear agendas.
    Plan your week's schedule and stick to it. (e.g., set aside time for sightseeing, learning, and relaxation).
    Research and prepare a detailed itinerary for your trip. (e.g., plan each day's activities and transportation).
  

    Low Extraversion
    Quiet, solitary settings. One-on-one conversations with familiar individuals.
    Spend quality time with a close friend or family member. (e.g., have a quiet dinner together).
    Focus on personal reflection and journaling about your experiences.
  

    High Extraversion
    Crowded social gatherings and parties. Interactive group activities and games.
    Attend a local event or party with a group of strangers. (e.g., go to a festival).
    Seek out group activities and events to meet new people. (e.g., join a local sports team or club).
  
Low Agreeableness
    Independent activities without collaboration. Pursuits focused on personal goals.
    Engage in a solo adventure or explore on your own. (e.g., take a hike by yourself).
    Focus on personal growth and development.
  
High Agreeableness
    Volunteering events and group activities. Collaborative projects with others.
    Participate in a local community service event. (e.g., volunteer at a local shelter).
    Build connections by assisting others and participating in group activities. (e.g., join a community cleanup event).
  
Low Emotional Stability (Neuroticism)
    Calming environments for relaxation. Solo moments for self-reflection.
    Engage in meditation or a calming activity to reduce stress. (e.g., practice yoga).
    Seek out peaceful natural settings to unwind and find balance.
  
High Emotional Stability
    Social gatherings and interactions. Events fostering connection and camaraderie.
    Attend a social event or meetup to connect with others. (e.g., join a language exchange meetup).
    Focus on building a support network and forming meaningful relationships.
  

Personality Trait	Preferred Situations	Actions Items in the Next Week	General Preferred Actions while Abroad
Low Openness to Experience	Familiar routines and environments. Predictable and structured activities.	Stick to familiar activities and routines. (e.g., visit a local cafe you know well).	Explore places or activities that align with your known interests. (e.g., visit a chain restaurant from your home country).
High Openness to Experience	Unconventional events and settings. Artistic and intellectual gatherings.	Attend an art exhibition or try a new cuisine. (e.g., visit a gallery showcasing local artists).	Engage in activities that challenge your perspective. (e.g., attend a traditional dance performance).
Low Conscientiousness	Unstructured social gatherings. Spontaneous outings with minimal planning.	Attend an unplanned meetup or join a group on a whim. (e.g., go to a local park gathering).	Embrace spontaneity and adapt to changing plans. (e.g., decide to explore a new area without a set agenda).
High Conscientiousness	Organized workshops and seminars. Well-structured events with clear agendas.	Plan your week's schedule and stick to it. (e.g., set aside time for sightseeing, learning, and relaxation).	Research and prepare a detailed itinerary for your trip. (e.g., plan each day's activities and transportation).
Low Extraversion	Quiet, solitary settings. One-on-one conversations with familiar individuals.	Spend quality time with a close friend or family member. (e.g., have a quiet dinner together).	Focus on personal reflection and journaling about your experiences.
High Extraversion	Crowded social gatherings and parties. Interactive group activities and games.	Attend a local event or party with a group of strangers. (e.g., go to a festival).	Seek out group activities and events to meet new people. (e.g., join a local sports team or club).
Low Agreeableness	Independent activities without collaboration. Pursuits focused on personal goals.	Engage in a solo adventure or explore on your own. (e.g., take a hike by yourself).	Focus on personal growth and development.
High Agreeableness	Volunteering events and group activities. Collaborative projects with others.	Participate in a local community service event. (e.g., volunteer at a local shelter).	Build connections by assisting others and participating in group activities. (e.g., join a community cleanup event).
Low Emotional Stability (Neuroticism)	Calming environments for relaxation. Solo moments for self-reflection.	Engage in meditation or a calming activity to reduce stress. (e.g., practice yoga).	Seek out peaceful natural settings to unwind and find balance.
High Emotional Stability	Social gatherings and interactions. Events fostering connection and camaraderie.	Attend a social event or meetup to connect with others. (e.g., join a language exchange meetup).	Focus on building a support network and forming meaningful relationships.

Identifying your personality type and situations/actions which align to you is a great way to set yourself up for success in a foreign country! Best of luck out there!