Culture Shock

Culture Shock, what is it? “The term, culture shock, was introduced for the first time 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.” (Dr. Carmen) It can also be described as a physical or emotional discomfort experiencing by those adjusting to a new environment (another country or place that is not known and is completely new to a person). The place to which we are not used has another culture, language, traditions, value system, people, climate, customs and etc. so it is natural that people has some difficulties while adapting to a totally different environment. Some people have a stronger character and psychology so they are more adaptable to a new environment and some are weaker, so these people have bigger culture shock consequences. Symptoms of Culture Shock According to Dr.Carmen Guanipa, culture shock has different kinds of symptoms. Some of them appears earlier some of them later. One of the symptoms is sadness and loneliness. People who are in a new environment feel lonely and separated from their family and closest friends. As they were used always to have a company, a good friend near or an advice in a critical situation, in this case they see their loneliness as a big problem which causes other symptoms, such as insomnia, depression, aggression, nervousness and anger. If a person does not feel safe and comfortable he feels nervous and not self confident. It is difficult for him to solve problems, find proper solutions and answers to simple questions. Another symptom is loss of identity. If a person is trying to adapt to the new environment he/she is automatically changing his attitude, behavior, or in other words his identity. He uses the language of other culture, traditions and life style, which might be food, everyday life conversations, work and free time environment, facial expressions, dialect, gestures and other norms which change person’s character and life style. You have get used to the new surrounding: how to use different technology systems (banking, shopping, public transport), when to shake hands, when to give tips, what to say when you meet different people, what gestures are appropriate in that culture what are not and a lot other things which from the first look seems not important but in real life situations they play a big role and might damage your reputation and image if you use them incorrectly. Another symptom would be fear - fear to be robbed, injured or cheated. This fear shows your insecurity and distrust in another country. As you do not know the people, culture, values, you do not know what to expect from others, how do they behave and if you can trust them or not. One of the symptoms that show your unstable emotional or physical condition is longing to be back home. People start missing their relatives, family members and friends. They do not need anything else just these people. From this comes another symptom – ignoring of everything. People become passive, they do not want anything, and everything starts to be annoying, not pleasant and close to them. A person might also feel that there is something wrong with his health; he might be too much worried about his health than previously. “Other people find they become more irritable or tearful and generally their emotions seem more changeable. All of these effects can in themselves increase your anxiety.”(International) Of course everything depends on an individual, everybody is different and everybody of us would act differently while experiencing a culture shock. “Individuals differ greatly in the degree in which culture shock affects them. Although not common, there are individuals who cannot live in foreign countries. Those who have seen people go through a serious case of culture shock and on to a satisfactory adjustment can discern steps in the process.”(Dr.Lalervo) Phases of Culture Shock Honeymoon phase. In the first few days or weeks everything seems so beautiful and nice. People are open to new things, culture, traditions, everything seems interesting and everybody (native people) is trying to help and serve you while you are abroad. But of course it depends in what country you are and under what circumstances. “But this "Cook's tour" type of mentality does not normally last if the foreign visitor remains abroad and has to seriously cope with real conditions of life. It is then that the second stage begins, characterized by a hostile and aggressive attitude towards the host country.”(Dr.Lalervo) When the visitor starts to face everyday life problems such like maid, school, language, house, transportation and shopping trouble, the positive attitude to that country changes to the opposite one; then comes to the air culture differences, moral standards and norms, different understandings and etc. Native people do not understand your needs and even if they are trying to help you, you feel that it is totally different from your culture and beliefs, norms; people do not understand you in that way you would like them to. “And the result comes that, "I just don't like them." You become aggressive; you band together with your fellow countrymen and criticize the host country, its ways and its people. This second stage of culture shock is in a sense a crisis in the disease. If you overcome it you stay, if not, you leave before you reach the stage of a nervous breakdown.” (Dr.Lalervo) The third stage is when an individual already adapts to the culture and has less difficulties while communicating and participating in that different and not acceptable atmosphere. The person already has some understanding of that culture and he even start to use humor. “The individual is more familiar with the environment and wants to belong.”(Dr. Carmen) The fourth stage is when a person starts to see and recognize what good and bad that culture gives to him: differences and similarities, customs and traditions, food, drinks are already accepted; the person sees the culture and all details from the other side and starts to enjoy them. An individual starts to create the goals for his life. (Dr. Carmen) “Somehow it no longer troubles you; you no longer project your discomforts onto the people of the host country and their ways. You get along under a new set of living conditions.” (Dr.Lalervo) And finally, the fifth stage of culture shock is "re-entry shock." This occurs when a person comes back to his home country (where he used to live before) and realizes that his homeland is not the same anymore, meaning that some customs have changed, there is something totally new and maybe not acceptable to that person, people have changed, values and other things are no longer the same. How to Fight Culture Shock Though culture shock is a temporary phase, people should know how to fight with it and help themselves in order to lessen it. “Culture shock can hit whatever culture you come from and however experienced or well-travelled you are.”(International) Dr. Carmen Guanipa offers some of the activities how to help yourself. Firstly, a person should be busy or interested in something; he should find a hobby or find some clubs and things what makes him be involved in some kind of interesting activity. It can be some kind of sports, relaxation program, meditation or yoga, which helps you in stress situations. Also, individual should not forget that he has some good things left: family, friends, famous movie or food or a beautiful sunrise or sunset, it depends what is important to a person and what values does he have. Remember to take from your home some familiar things such as photos, sweet presents or things which always make you feel better. Another good advice how to survive the culture shock is to be patient. You just have to wait because time is a good doctor. In order not to feel lonely and sad individual should keep close contact with his family, friends and the ethnic group: go to meetings and other community activities, which will help to learn the language and traditions of other country. If a person wants to adapt more quickly he should be more open to new things, to the culture and people, and then it is easier to communicate and to accept other culture. Before you leave your own country you should learn something about other culture, traditions and customs, this will also make your adaptation easier. People who live abroad sometimes require from themselves too much, they set very high goals and not always seek them, and if they fail, this leads to a depression and yourself dissatisfaction. You should not try too hard and demand from yourself too much, just maintain confidence in yourself, follow your ambitions and plans for your future. If you feel not self confident and stressed just look up for a help, there is always someone who wants to help you or listen you uncritically and with understanding and support. “Finally, it is important to stress that culture shock is entirely normal, usually unavoidable and not a sign that you have made a mistake or that you won’t manage.”(International) While facing culture shock you get some experience which is useful for your general knowledge, intellect and self perception. You broaden your world-view and ken. Nevertheless, you learn a new language; you also get an understanding of other culture values, traditions and customs. Your cultural education becomes more international and skills you have gained will help you in future. Works Cited: Dr. Carmen Guanipa “Culture Shock”. March 16, 2004

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