The first time I traveled abroad, I experienced real cultural shock. I visited Japan, and everything felt different—the language, the food, even the way people lined up quietly at the train station. One morning, I tried to tip a waiter, and he politely refused. I thought he was upset, but later I learned tipping isn’t common there. Moments like that made me feel confused, but also opened my mind. Cultural shock can be uncomfortable, yet it teaches us to respect other traditions and see the world with fresh eyes.