Culture Shock
University of Iceland
Business and intercultural
Communication (VIÐ512G)
Teacher: Þóra Christiansen 30.11.2010
Culture shock * my personal experience
Eydís Brynjarsdóttir kt:091085-3569
Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Definition of culture shock 3 3.0 Culture shock lifecycle 4 4.0 Culture shock triangle 6 5.0 My personal experience 8 6.0 Ten steps to minimize culture shock 8 7.0 Conclusion 9
1.0 Introduction
I chose culture shock for my discussion in this assignment. I will discuss the definition of Culture shock and how it affects people. I will also discuss some theories and in the end I will give a short story from my own experience.
2.0 Definition of culture shock
The definition of culture shock refers generally to the unpleasant experience that people get when they are coming in contact with other cultures than their own. Their experience of a new culture is seen as unpleasant surprise/shock that occurs when expectations do not match reality. Working in a new culture can lead a variety of reactions for an example: * Confusion about what to do * Anxiety * Frustration * Inappropriate behavior * Depression
All of these are possible reactions to culture shock, which is the shock that we experience when we are confronted with the unknown.
Researches show that culture shock can be both short and sharp or long term and deep, and what appears to be the identifier is the degree of difference from one´s own and the host culture, the degree of preparation, social support networks and individual psychological characteristics. The longer time that the individual experiences the culture shock, the greater is the feeling of helplessness and performance deficit.
There are several symptoms of cultural shock, but the most common are: * Feeling isolated * Anxiety and worries * Reduction in the job performance * High energy * Helplessness
The inclusion of high energy is
Business and intercultural
Communication (VIÐ512G)
Teacher: Þóra Christiansen 30.11.2010
Culture shock * my personal experience
Eydís Brynjarsdóttir kt:091085-3569
Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Definition of culture shock 3 3.0 Culture shock lifecycle 4 4.0 Culture shock triangle 6 5.0 My personal experience 8 6.0 Ten steps to minimize culture shock 8 7.0 Conclusion 9
1.0 Introduction
I chose culture shock for my discussion in this assignment. I will discuss the definition of Culture shock and how it affects people. I will also discuss some theories and in the end I will give a short story from my own experience.
2.0 Definition of culture shock
The definition of culture shock refers generally to the unpleasant experience that people get when they are coming in contact with other cultures than their own. Their experience of a new culture is seen as unpleasant surprise/shock that occurs when expectations do not match reality. Working in a new culture can lead a variety of reactions for an example: * Confusion about what to do * Anxiety * Frustration * Inappropriate behavior * Depression
All of these are possible reactions to culture shock, which is the shock that we experience when we are confronted with the unknown.
Researches show that culture shock can be both short and sharp or long term and deep, and what appears to be the identifier is the degree of difference from one´s own and the host culture, the degree of preparation, social support networks and individual psychological characteristics. The longer time that the individual experiences the culture shock, the greater is the feeling of helplessness and performance deficit.
There are several symptoms of cultural shock, but the most common are: * Feeling isolated * Anxiety and worries * Reduction in the job performance * High energy * Helplessness
The inclusion of high energy is
Bibliography: Elisabeth Marx. (1999). Breaking through culture shock. London: Nicholas Brealey publishing. Hofstede, Geert H. (2001).Culture′s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. Thousand Oaks. Marie-Joelle Browaeys and Roger Price. (2008). Understanding cross-cultural management. Edinburgh: Prentice Hall.