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Cultural Adjustment: Culture Shock

As you embark on your exciting journey of studying abroad here in the U.S. you will undoubtedly experience some discomfort while trying to adapt to a new culture. This discomfort, as you are "culturally adapting," is known as culture shock. But rest assured that culture shock is a very normal process that nearly everyone goes through.

Some possible indicators of culture shock include:

• Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, irritability, loneliness
• Homesickness
• Sleeping more than usual
• Feeling depressed
• Getting angry easily
• Stereotyping of host country/culture
• Increase in physical ailments or pains
• Compulsive eating or lack of appetite
• Boredom or fatigue
• Extreme cleanliness
• Unexplainable crying
• Emotional & intellectual withdrawal

Cultural Adjustment
Studying abroad means making big changes in your daily life. Generations of students have found that they go through a predictable series of stages as they adjust to living abroad. Following are four common stages of cultural adjustment. These stages may not always follow the order in which they are listed.

Stage 1: The Honeymoon Stage:
Characterized by exhilaration, anticipation and excitement. In this stage you are fascinated with all that is new. You are now engaging in your "dream come true": studying in the U.S. During this period you may show extreme eagerness in pleasing people and cooperating with others. In your eagerness to please, you may forget to tell people when you do not understand something. If you forget to tell others when you are feeling lost or misunderstood, you may experience mounting frustration and enter into the next stage of cultural adjustment.

Stage 2: The Hostility Stage:
Characterized by frustration, anger, anxiety and sometimes depression. You may find yourself frustrated with the college bureaucracy and tired of speaking and listening in English every day. You may feel upset because although you have studied English, you do not feel as though you understand those around you. You may begin to blame the external environment for your uncomfortable feelings. Many academic problems begin at this stage.

Stage 3: The Humor Stage:
Characterized by easing of tense feelings, relaxation and openness. At this time you begin to relax in your new situation and are even able to laugh at minor mistakes and misunderstandings which, previously would have caused major headaches in the "Hostility Stage". You will become more relaxed after you have made some friends and are able to manage the size and complexity of the University. You begin to feel more comfortable with your studies and do well taking tests.

Stage 4: The Home Stage:
Characterized by greater comfort levels in the U.S. and an appreciation for the home country. During this stage, you not only retain allegiance to your home culture, but you also feel at home in the U.S. You have made a significant adjustment to the norms and standards of the University and the new community and environment in which you now live.

Minimizing the Impact of Culture Shock

• Be aware of the existence of cultural adjustment. Realize it is natural to miss your family, friends and home. Talk about these feelings with someone you feel comfortable with.
• Find friends from your home country to talk with. However, try not to spend all of your time with fellow nationals. Resist making jokes, stereotypes and negative comments about Americans and the U.S. Try, instead, to focus on the positive aspects of this new culture.
• Find an American to be a "cultural informant" in order for you to gain a proper prospective. Be curious and don't be afraid to ask questions and get genuine feedback about your interpretation of American customs, values and behavior. People will enjoy responding to your interest in understanding Americans.
• Maintain your sense of humor. Be able to talk & laugh about your mistakes.
• Set realistic goals to avoid disappointment. It will take you longer to accomplish tasks in a new culture, academic environment and in a new language.
• Have an ability to accept failure. Those who study abroad are successful people in their own culture, and therefore are not used to being unsuccessful. When living in a new culture it is natural to experience difficulties and occasional failures.
• Remain flexible in your attitudes. Look for the logical explanations for host behavior and values.

*For readings related to culture shock and cultural adjustment contact the Intercultural Press in Yarmouth, Maine at 1-800-370-2665. (This is a free phone call.) You can also request to be on their mailing list to receive a free copy of the "Intercultural Press".