Culture Shock
CULTURE SHOCK
What is culture shock?
A physical or emotional discomfort or anxiety that one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place that is different from the place of origin.
The Symptoms * Loneliness, melancholy, sadness * Loss of Identity * Lack of confidence * Longing for family * Developing stereotypes about the new culture * Anger, irritability, unwillingness to interact with others * Aches, pain, and allergies * Feeling depressed, vulnerable, and powerless * Insomnia * Feeling lost
The Four Stages of Culture Shock
Honeymoon Stage * Person is excited and a experiencing a new lifestyle * Everything goes by smoothly * Duration: Could last up to 6 months or longer Emptiness or Rejection Stage * Dealing with problems such as transportation, different foods, communication, etc. * Feeling alienated by the host country * Complaints about the host country may arise * Individual can use to find comfort with the host country or simply go back to the country of origin
Conformist Phase * Gaining more understanding of the new culture * Feeling a sense of humor and pleasure about host country * The newcomer is approximately 90% adjusted
Assimilation Phase * Acceptance of food, habits, drinks, and the customs of the host country * Realization that there are different lifestyles * A feeling of comfort
Variation
* Not everyone will experience all of the phases in the sequential order. * It is normal to experience culture shock. It is also normal to experience as few as one stage or as many as all four phase.
Tips for Minimizing or Fighting Culture Shock * Recognize Accept Focus * Don’t forget the good things that you’ve accomplished * There are always resources for you to take advantage of * Ask for help if you need to do so * Exercise, swim, do aerobics, etc. * Be patient and
What is culture shock?
A physical or emotional discomfort or anxiety that one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place that is different from the place of origin.
The Symptoms * Loneliness, melancholy, sadness * Loss of Identity * Lack of confidence * Longing for family * Developing stereotypes about the new culture * Anger, irritability, unwillingness to interact with others * Aches, pain, and allergies * Feeling depressed, vulnerable, and powerless * Insomnia * Feeling lost
The Four Stages of Culture Shock
Honeymoon Stage * Person is excited and a experiencing a new lifestyle * Everything goes by smoothly * Duration: Could last up to 6 months or longer Emptiness or Rejection Stage * Dealing with problems such as transportation, different foods, communication, etc. * Feeling alienated by the host country * Complaints about the host country may arise * Individual can use to find comfort with the host country or simply go back to the country of origin
Conformist Phase * Gaining more understanding of the new culture * Feeling a sense of humor and pleasure about host country * The newcomer is approximately 90% adjusted
Assimilation Phase * Acceptance of food, habits, drinks, and the customs of the host country * Realization that there are different lifestyles * A feeling of comfort
Variation
* Not everyone will experience all of the phases in the sequential order. * It is normal to experience culture shock. It is also normal to experience as few as one stage or as many as all four phase.
Tips for Minimizing or Fighting Culture Shock * Recognize Accept Focus * Don’t forget the good things that you’ve accomplished * There are always resources for you to take advantage of * Ask for help if you need to do so * Exercise, swim, do aerobics, etc. * Be patient and