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Culture Shock
What is culture shock?
"Culture shock" is a term used to describe some of these more pronounced reactions to spending an extended period of time in a culture very different from your own. Culture shock can be characterized by periods of frustration, adjustment, and even depression. All students, regardless of maturity, disposition, previous experience abroad, or knowledge of the country in which they will be living, experience some degree of culture shock.
What causes culture shock?
Culture shock is caused by unfamiliarity with the new country, inability to speak the language fluently or understand the many new idioms, and not knowing how to behave in an unfamiliar culture. Not only is the language different, but gestures, facial expressions, and traditions are also different. Newcomers can sometimes feel like children because they cannot understand all these new things at once.
What are the stages of cultural adjustment?
There are four stages of culture adjustment, though each lasts a
different length of time for every individual who experiences it. In
general, the stages are:
- Stage 1
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During the first stage, foreign visitors often feel excited. The new
country is interesting, the people are friendly and helpful, and the
future looks promising.
- Stage 2
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Problems! School, language, shopping — everything is difficult. Things
that were simple back home require more effort in the new country. It
seems hard to make friends, and at this point, foreign visitors may
begin to believe that the local people are unfriendly. Homesickness
begins, and along with it complaints about the new country. This is
the stage we hear referred to as "culture shock."
- Stage 3
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Recovery. The foreign visitor begins to use the language more
fluently, so communication with locals becomes easier. Customs and
traditions become clearer, and slowly the situation passes from
impossible to hopeful. Minor misunderstandings which were stressful in
stage 2 become manageable.
- Stage 4
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Stability. Eventually foreign visitors begin to feel more at home in
the new country. What they do not like about their new country no
longer makes them so dissatisfied and unhappy. Life has settled down,
and they are now able to find humor in the situations in which they
find themselves.
People who are experiencing culture shock worry and complain about all
aspects of life — the food, the weather, the people, etc. They worry
about minor ailments and pains. They often become frustrated and angry
over minor problems, and some even refuse to learn the new
language. Overall, they feel helpless and homesick, and want to go
home to see relatives and to talk with people who "make sense."
People often do not fully understand culture shock until they return
home to their country, when they are surprised to see their own
country with new eyes. Although culture adjustment takes place every
time a person moves to another country, with each move the shock
usually lessens.
From Kay Clifford, University of Michigan
MORE:
How to Cope with Culture Shock
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