Culture Shock
The term culture shock was introduced in 1958 to describe
the anxiety produced when a person moves to a completely
new environment. This term expresses the lack of direction,
the feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do things
in a new environment, and not knowing what is appropriate
or inappropriate. The feeling of culture shock generally
sets in after the first few weeks of coming to a new
place.
The symptoms of cultural shock are not limited to moving
between countries. Moving from a work to a school environment
can induce culture shock. Typical symptoms that can
appear at different times, include:
- Sadness, loneliness, melancholy
- Preoccupation with health
- Aches, pains, and allergies
- Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little
- Changes in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless
- Anger, irritability, resentment, unwillingness to interact with others
- Identifying with the old culture or idealizing the old culture
- Loss of identity
- Trying too hard to absorb everything in the new culture
- Unable to solve simple problems
- Lack of confidence
- Feelings of inadequacy or insecurity
- Developing stereotypes about the new culture
- Developing obsessions such as over-cleanliness
- Longing for family
- Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused
Although culture shock can be painful, it is also an
opportunity for redefining one's life objectives. It
is a great opportunity for learning and acquiring new
perspectives. Culture shock can make one develop a better
understanding of oneself and stimulate personal creativity.
Stages of Culture Shock
Culture shock has several stages. Each stage can be
ongoing or appear only at certain times. In the first
stage, the new arrival may feel euphoric and pleased
by all the new things. This time is called the "honeymoon"
stage, as everything is new and exciting.
In the second stage, a person may encounter some difficult
times and crises in daily life. In this stage, there
may be feelings of discontent, impatience, anger, sadness,
and feeling incompetent. This happens when a person
is trying to adapt to a new culture that is very different
from the culture of origin. Transition between familiar
routines and new methods is a difficult process and
takes time. During the transition, there may be strong
feelings of dissatisfaction.
The third stage is characterized by gaining some understanding
of the new culture. A new feeling of pleasure and sense
of humor may be experienced. One may start to feel a
certain psychological balance. The new arrival may not
feel as lost and starts to have a feeling of direction.
The individual is more familiar with the environment
and wants to belong. This initiates an evaluation of
the old ways versus those of the new.
In the fourth stage, the person realizes that the new
culture has good and bad things to offer. This stage
can be one of double integration or triple integration
depending on the number of cultures that the person
has to process. This integration is accompanied by a
more solid feeling of belonging. The person starts to
define him/herself and establish goals for living.
The fifth stage is the stage that is called the "re-entry
shock." This occurs when a person returns to the
original culture. One may find that things are not the
same as remembered, and the newly acquired customs are
not in use in the old culture.
The stages of culture shock are present at different
times and each person has a different way of reacting.
As a consequence, some stages will be longer and more
difficult than others. Many factors contribute to the
duration and effects of culture shock. These factors
include personality type, previous experiences, socio-economic
conditions, familiarity with the language, family and/or
social support systems, and level of education.
How to Fight Culture Shock
The majority of people who move between cultures have
the ability to positively confront the obstacles of
a new environment. Some ways to combat stress produced
by culture shock are:
- Develop a hobby.
- Don't forget the good things about the new environment.
- Be patient, it is going to take time.
- Learn to be constructive.
- Don't try too hard.
- If you encounter an unfavorable environment, don't put yourself in that position again.
- Be easy on yourself.
- Learn to include a regular form of physical activity in your routine. This will help combat the sadness
and loneliness in a constructive manner. Exercise, swim, take an aerobics class, etc.
- Relaxation and meditation are proven to be positive for people passing through periods of stress.
- Maintain contact with your ethnic group. This will give you a feeling of belonging and you will reduce
your feelings of loneliness and alienation.
- Maintain contact with the new culture. Learn the language.
- Volunteer in community activities that allow you to practice the language.
- Allow yourself to feel sad about what you left behind.
- Recognize the sorrow of leaving your culture. Accept the new culture.
- Focus on getting through the transition.
- Pay attention to relationships. They will serve as support for you in difficult times.
- Establish simple goals and evaluate your progress.
- Find ways to live with the things that don't satisfy you 100%.
- Maintain confidence in yourself.
- Follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the future.
- There are resources that you can use. If you feel stressed, look for help. There is always someone or
some service available to help you.
Adapted from an article by Dr. Carmen Guanipa, Amigos
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