Culture Shock
You have obviously clicked on this link for a reason. You are either just getting abroad and wanting to get prepared for the next few months of your life, or you are having problems overseas and want answers, “Why am I not having fun?,” “Why does it seem like everyone around me is happy, and I am sad?,” “What’s wrong with these people?” These are common questions. Read through the rest of this page, and I am sure you will understand a little bit better.
So, you are abroad and the first few weeks have been great. Everything is exciting; the food, the people, the buildings, the sites, the sounds, the gestures… Enjoy it! This is the Honeymoon Stage of the cultural Adjustment process.
Shortly after this stage, you start to feel a little confused, frustrated, stressed… Why can’t someone speak English with you? The food really isn’t that great; the people are rude, too. Classes are boring, and most of the other students aren’t as friendly as they were when you first arrived. You don’t feel like you have made any friends and don’t have a group to hang out with… Welcome to the second stage of Culture Shock. This is called the Irritability and Hostility Stage. This is the most difficult stage of culture shock, but don’t worry; you are not alone!
Eventually your will start to adapt; you will begin to understand the language better, the customs and the culture. You will make new friends, meet the locals, and begin to enjoy things. This is the start of the third stage of culture shock and cultural adjustment; it is called Gradual Adjustment.
Finally, after several months of ups and downs, you have adapted; you are now “one” with the culture. You have your favorite places. You have your new lifelong friends. You have a new “home.” Congratulations, you made it through Culture shock! Sadly though, it is time to come home… and guess what? You get to go through it all over again!
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When things get rough, simply follow these steps to help you alleviate Culture Shock:
• Learn more about your host country. One of the best antidotes to culture shock, though when you're in the midst of it this may not make sense, is knowing as much as possible about where you are.
• Look for logical reasons behind everything that happens. This will help you view things in a more positive way.
• Don't succumb to temptation to disparage the host country. Resist making jokes and comments which are intended to illustrate the stupidity of the "native," and don't hang around the Americans who do make them; they will only reinforce your unhappiness.
• Meet locals. Talk with these people about specific situations and about your feelings related to them. Talking with Americans can be helpful, but only for a limited extent.
• Keep your sense of humor! Remember to laugh. It is one of the few things every culture understands.
• Go out on a limb. It is important to remember that when you are abroad you will fail at something. Everyone will; don’t be afraid to.
• Take care of yourself. If you are not sleeping enough or eating enough, it will only make things worse for you.
• Have faith in yourself, in the essential goodwill of your hosts, and in the positive outcome of the experience.