European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 24, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Looking foolish a she said. Many americans obviously manage to serve successful overseas Tours despite having been drop kicked into a foreign culture. But for others drinking is a popular Way of a numbing the edges a Rosengard said especially in the military where there is a lingering feeling that a a gentleman should be Able to drink and hold his  Sleszynski noted that excessive drinking can be a big problem for Young single people trying to make the transition into a new life overseas. A i think a lot of kids Are vulnerable to an increase in drinking when they leave one familiar cultural surrounding and they have to adapt to another one Quot he said. A a it scoping and its coping that a reinforced by the Young military culture where a High intake of alcohol is considered to be Normal and in some cases even  others turn to overeating and often spend a great Deal of time shopping for american items in the commissary where the a package of oreos Means More than it Ever did a Rosengard said. Feelings of depression that follow the resulting weight gain often Lead to More overeating forming a vicious Circle that can take professional help to break the experts said. Military spouses who often Are left alone for Long periods and who face poor Job prospects overseas Are the most Likely to fall into the food trap. New health problems such As first time asthma also Are common among people having trouble adapting As is vulnerability to viruses and the common cold. Others suffer insomnia changes in sexual behaviour sinus headaches or constipation. The most common reaction is the Barracks rat syndrome. Sleszynski estimates that perhaps 30 percent of military personnel assigned overseas us Lyndo Dovidio top the shopping District in Forth Germany May be quaint but its no american mall. Above Elise Schubert leads Oft base orientation Tours for new arrivals at Ramstein a Germany. Opt to isolate themselves on american facilities rather than try to break into the foreign culture. Rosengard thinks the figure is even higher and that it May represent a majority of the service members who Are planning on a single two or three year tour. A the longer you know you re going to stay Here the More you la commit to friendships relationships the More you la try to learn a language the More you la get Down to the town and find out about it a she said. Married Servic members usually have the most Success in coping with new cultures because they have the support of other members of the family. Parents and children also have established roles within the family that done to change much by location and that offers additional Security the experts said. Conversely Young people especially those still coping with the problems of separating from their parents have the most difficult time. Rosengard thinks women generally handle change better than men largely because of social its Effla Balkan skills. A fall the time that the boys arc out engaging in sports the girls Are together talking. That s a great  people who manage to Cope with the loss of America can expect to appreciate Home in new ways As a result of the experience the experts said. Sleszynski suggests that americans will return to the United states Quot less provincial More sophisticated less inclined to Sec american culture As the Only  ,. Borrelli the Berlin based psychologist agrees a living in another culture allows you a better ability to evaluate what your own culture is like a he said a because you get something to compare it  and finally Gerald cell Etc the founder of the trend tracking socioeconomic research Institute of America believes Servic members overseas May be in better touch with their country than they realize. Quot americans outside the country have the Catbird a seat he global View Quot on change said cell Etc who is headquartered in Rhino Buck , a people Here in America done to see the change happening just like a kid does no to Sec himself growing up. It takes a relative or a Friend to visit and say a wow look whats happened to  a a that a what people stationed overseas should feel about  24, 1991 sunday a