Culture shock

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 feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do things in a new environment, and not knowing what is appropriate or inappropriate.

We can describe culture shock as the physical and emotional discomfort one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place different from the place of origin.

It is an anxiety that results from losing all our familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. Often, the way that we lived before is not accepted as or considered as normal in the new place.

Everything is different, and for example, we don’t speak the language, don’t know when to shake hands and what to say when we meet people, when and how to give tips, when to accept and when to refuse invitations, when to take statements seriously and when not.

Like most ailments, culture shock has its symptoms and cure. The symptoms of cultural shock can appear at different times.

Symptoms:

Sadness, loneliness, melancholy

Preoccupation with health: aches, pains, and allergies

Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little

Anger, irritability, unwillingness to interact with others

Lack of confidence

Longing for family

A desire to depend on long-term residents of one’s own nationality

Culture shock has several stages. The 1st stage is the incubation stage. During the first few weeks most individuals are fascinated by the new. This time is called the "honeymoon" stage, as everything encountered is new and exciting. This stage may last from a few days or weeks to six months, depending on the circumstances.

Afterwards, the 2nd stage presents itself. It is characterized by a hostile and aggressive attitude towards the host country. This happens due to the difficulties a person faces in daily life, such as communication or transportation problems.

In this stage one criticizes the host country, its ways and the people.

The 3rd stage is characterized by gaining some understanding of the new culture. A new feeling of pleasure may be experienced and sense of humor begins to exert itself.

Instead of criticizing, they now jokes about people around them and even crack jokes about their own difficulties. They are now on the way to recovery.

In the 4th stage, the adjustment is complete. The visitor now accepts the customs of the country as just another way of living. They realize that the new culture has good and bad things to offer.

The feeling of anxiety is lost.

Some ways to combat stress produced by culture shock:

- Learn the language of the host country

- Develop a hobby

- Be positive

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