Understanding Culture Shock

Critical Skills for Transitioning to Life Abroad Q U I C K G U I D E

You’ve probably heard the term “culture shock” before, but perhaps you think it should they be present. Instead, you find a middle ground that you’re
won’t affect you. In fact, everyone goes through a process of adapting to a new comfortable with. Some people even excel in this stage, finding their stride in
culture when abroad, and reactions can range from mild irritation to extreme the new host culture and feeling at ease. Note that even after this stage, it is
possible to “relapse” into anxiety or regression. Once your first low is over,
trauma. When entering a foreign culture, the cues and clues you normally rely on
remember that you may have another, and it may be more severe. But keep
are gone. Your routine changes completely, and you may have to get used to a in mind that usually you will reach glorious stage four – and finally adjust.
lack of privacy or personal space. You’ll need to learn new structures, and abide
by new rules. Some people experience culture shock so strongly that they believe (See the U-Curve of Adjustment at the end of this article.)
they need to return home, but the whole process of cultural adaptation is a rite of
passage, and being prepared can make a big difference. How to Deal with Culture Shock
Culture Shock or Culture Fatigue: What Is It? Culture shock is like most any disease; it has symptoms and cures. Try to make
peace with the fact that adjustment will not happen over night, but will instead take
When you move into a drastically different cultural context, all of a sudden your time and effort. Here are a few pointers for coping:
worldview is inappropriate. Not only do you need to learn quickly about your host
• Go with the flow: When you find yourself being judgmental, simply try to
culture, you also need to adjust your own behavior and tolerance in order to accept the different values and behaviors in your host culture. Try to
function effectively. The source of your culture shock may come from marked understand the local culture rather than judging it.
differences in any or all of the following areas of life: customs, beliefs, ceremonies
• Participation: Instead of sitting around your apartment or house reflecting on
and rituals, social institutions, values, morals, ideals, accepted modes of behavior, your sorry state, go out and socialize with locals. Get involved by joining a
ideas and thought patterns, laws, language and the arts. Everything from public class or group. Become engaged, and keep in mind that you are a student of
transportation and accommodation to security and social life may be significantly the local culture, and every experience is an opportunity to learn.
different. The term “culture shock” describes the stress brought on by all these • Tolerance: Undoubtedly, many things will appear strange to you in the
changes, but because the term is sometimes considered to have a negative beginning. Don’t over-examine the local behaviors and customs. Keep in mind
connotation, some experts prefer to use the term “culture fatigue,” while others that although they may be different, they are neither better nor worse than
refer to the reaction as “cultural disorientation” or “change shock.” your own.
• Language: It always helps to understand, if not to speak, the language. Who
(See The Culture Iceberg at the end of this article.) cares if your grammar and pronunciation are muddled? Your efforts will be
appreciated and help you connect.
The Stages of Culture Shock • Find a sympathetic host national: Other expats are helpful, but they’re
usually in the same boat as you. A host national can provide a better sounding
Culture shock is actually part of a completely natural process of cultural board for your concerns. And what could be better for your overall experience
adaptation. Sociologists, anthropologists and psychologists have divided the than having a friend who knows your new country inside and out?
culture shock or fatigue phenomenon into four stages: the honeymoon stage, the • Gather information: Never lose your curiosity. It will give you insight into why
anxiety stage, the rejection or regression stage, and the adjustment stage. Experts people behave as they do. An interest in the history, geography, politics,
agree that half the battle with culture shock/fatigue is to know what is happening to religion and cultural norms will help you appreciate and adjust to your new
you. So, let’s take a look at the four common stages: environment.
• Take a break: Treat yourself to a day off. Bake an apple pie. Take a long, hot
• The Honeymoon Stage: You’re finally abroad after much preparation and bath. Listen to your favorite music. Do something just for yourself, something
anticipation. You just can’t wait to see, feel, taste, experience everything! that is typically North American.
People seem friendly (not pushy), and laid back (not inefficient). They enjoy
the simple things. This is the world seen through the honeymooner’s eyes. • Maintain contact with family and friends back home: Writing or Skype-ing
You have great expectations and a positive outlook. This period may last home can help you cope. Be cautious, however, about potentially alarming
from a few weeks to a month, but a letdown inevitably comes. your relatives about cultural situations they cannot understand or act upon.
Keeping a diary or blog is also a good idea.
• The Anxiety Stage: In this stage, you’re faced with building a new social
• Don’t romanticize your life at home: Although you may want to maintain
structure to replace the one you left behind. You may react to small
difficulties as if they were major catastrophes. You may seek out fellow contact with family and friends, and may long for some elements of life back
expats to reinforce an “us vs. them” attitude. At this crisis stage, any of the home, don’t sulk or spend too much time idealizing your home culture.
following symptoms may occur: homesickness, boredom, withdrawal, • Accept that culture shock is a process and that you will make it through:
insomnia or oversleeping, loss of appetite, compulsive eating or drinking, The most valuable thing you can do for yourself is to accept that culture shock
irritability, chauvinistic or patronizing behavior, negative feelings about host is inevitable. Whether it is mild or strong, you will go through an extended
nationals and their culture, loss of ability to work effectively, physical process of adaptation in your host culture. Understand the phases, recognize
ailments, etc. the symptoms and move through the process with confidence that full
adaptation is just a few weeks away.
• The Rejection or Regression Stage: Your anxiety is compounded by
constantly having to face problems you cannot define. Things don’t work— • Understanding culture shock is an important part of your professional
government bureaucracy is frustrating, Internet access is sporadic, and using international skill set: Once you’ve been abroad, you’ve gained first-hand
the foreign keyboard is a hassle. Things are constantly breaking down and experience of the culture shock process. Demonstrate your understanding to
repairs are shoddy. The streets don’t match the maps. You can’t potential employers; show that you recognize the stages of culture shock, its
communicate properly (can’t anyone speak English?). Tension and anxiety symptoms and its cures. This is valuable in any international workplace.
build up. Your new friends from the first few weeks have disappeared,
carrying on with their lives. Eventually you reject what you had so
enthusiastically embraced in those first weeks, and long for the way things Conclusion
are done at home. Some people manifest antisocial behavior, such as
rudeness or isolation. Others seek a safe haven – an international club, for No matter how many books or videos you watch about your host culture, landing
example. Some people never get beyond the regression stage, even if they on the ground will be a completely different experience. From your first contact
live overseas for years. Others may leave during this stage. There’s no with your new surroundings, the cultural adaptation process begins. Motivation,
shame in going home knowing that you gave it your best. understanding and a sense of humor will be your best friends throughout this
• The Adjustment Stage: Gradually, you recover. You begin to feel less process. We wish you the best of luck on your cross-cultural adventure, and hope
isolated and hopeless. You’re able to greet people in the local language, hail you feel the true satisfaction of arriving at the final adjustment stage!
a taxi and haggle with merchants. You experience a measure of
biculturalism, and acceptance of the differences between two societies. No
one expects you to totally assimilate or to approve of questionable practices,

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Understanding Culture Shock
Critical Skills for Transitioning to Life Abroad Q U I C K G U I D E

The U-Curve of Adjustment: Four-month Semester Abroad

In the 1950s, Norwegian sociologist Sverre Lysgaard built a visual model month semester abroad. This diagram will help you keep the natural four-part
showing the stages of cultural adjustment. The U-Curve of Adjustment adjustment process in mind as you pack up and head overseas. If you’re
reveals the progress from initial euphoria upon arrival, to the anxiety and going abroad for a full year, you can expect the first three phases to have the
crisis phases, and finally to adjustment and integration. The diagram below is same duration, and the final adjustment phase to be extended.
our interpretation of Lysgaard’s original, and it’s geared toward the four-

The U-Curve of Adjustment

for a four-month semester abroad.

The Culture Iceberg

When we see an iceberg, we first notice the portion that can be seen above When engaging with a new culture, be aware that you don’t just engage with
water. In reality, this part of the iceberg represents only a small part of a the “tip of the iceberg.” This will ensure that you’re on the path towards real
much bigger whole. Cultures also follow this general principle. The cross-cultural understanding rather than just superficial observation and
characteristics that are obvious to newcomers (the “above water” interaction. Keep in mind also that the amount of time spent abroad is a
characteristics) represent the tip of the iceberg. Art, language, social big factor in this equation. The longer you spend in your host
interactions, traditions, etc. can all be seen at this surface level. But country, the deeper your understanding of its culture. A
these elements are directly tied two-week Spring Break visit opens you up to surface
to the deeper, less visible culture, while longer terms abroad give you access
elements of culture – those that to deep culture.
lie below the surface. This
part of the iceberg represents
deep-seated values, beliefs
and worldviews. Observable
behaviors are a direct result
of this invisible reality, but it
takes effort to understand or
even recognize the
connection.

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MyWorldAbroad has everything you need for your global career skills. Reproduction rights for this Quick Guide granted to schools.
Purchase access at www.myworldabroad.com © Intercultural Systems / Systèmes Interculturels (ISSI) Inc .