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Understanding Culture Shock

Culture shock is any kind of emotional or physical discomfort caused by being outside of one's own culture or comfort zone. Symptoms of culture shock may include anger, anxiousness, irritability, sadness, or even a longing to return to your own culture. The following information is useful for students who find themselves experiencing culture shock abroad:

Prescriptions for Culture Shock

1. Understand symptoms and recognize signs of "culture fatigue."
   
   
2. Realize that some degree of discomfort and stress is natural in a cross-cultural experience.
   
   
3. Recognize that your reactions are largely emotional and not easily subject to rational management.
   
   
4. Gather information before you go so at least the difference will seem familiar, if not natural - knowledge is power.
   
   
5. Look for the logical reasons behind host culture patterns. If it "fits" the culture, discover why.
   
   
6. Relax your grip on your normal culture and try to cheerfully adapt to new rules and roles.
   
   
7. Don't give in to the temptation to disparage what you do not like or understand. It probably won't change.
   
   
8. Identify a support network among host nationals, expatriates, work group, or within school setting. Use it, but don't rely on it exclusively.
   
   
9. Understand that it is a passing phase of what will be, in retrospect, a time of great learning and personal growth.
   
   
10. Give yourself quiet time, some private space, and don't be too hard on yourself.
    

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