EUSA

Culture Shock

New sights, new sounds, and new surroundings can all be very exciting. One minute you’re on cloud 9, nothing can go wrong, you’re invincible. Then the next, something changes, and suddenly you’re clicking your heels and can’t stop saying “there’s no place like home.”

Everyone goes through some degree of culture shock. By understanding the stages and being aware of your feelings, you’ll give yourself greater opportunity to enjoy your stay and find a “new home” abroad.

Knowing about culture shock won’t prevent it, but being aware of it can help you cope. Even long-term ex-pats can experience symptoms of culture shock after years of living in a different culture. You may find somedays feel like you’ve taken one step forward and two steps back. Simply acknowledging culture shock can help to ease its effects.

The 3 Stages of Culture Shock

• The “honeymoon” stage. Your first moments, days, and for some, even weeks in a foreign place. Everything is new, your eyes are wide, and your desire to explore is high along with your spirits. Embrace these days, as you’ll remember everything vividly.
• The “I’m tired of new culture” stage. Novelties have lost their glow and small things are starting to nag at you. Anything, anyone, any action different from back home could negatively affect you. This can all hit hard, making it important to understand. If you find yourself being irritable, angry at other people, locking yourself in your room, sleeping more than usual, or extremely homesick, chances are you are suffering the negative stage of culture shock.
• The “I’ve found a new home” stage. You’ve made it past the worst of it, you are starting to accept and act like those around you. You’re keeping busy (in a good way) by joining clubs, starting traditions, meeting people, and exploring your surroundings. Suddenly, you realize you fit in, you’re cozy, you’re on top of the world and never want to come home.

Recommended ways to beat the “I’m tired of new culture” stage

• Be open minded to things that are different.
• Be quick to explore and slow to judge.
• Take advantage of your precious time abroad and do not let it go to waste by constantly chatting on the internet, watching TV, or calling home for hours a day (once a week is more than enough!)
• If you find yourself spending your time with people who constantly complain about the new culture, surround yourself with others who embrace it.
• Stay active, get out of the house.
• Learn to laugh at yourself.

Advice from the World Citizens’ Guide for Americans abroad

• Look, listen, and learn – see the sights, hear the sounds, and try to understand how people live.
• Think big, act small, and be humble – boasting can be considered quite rude in some countries.
• Live, eat, and play local – try to get out and meet some locals!  Try the cuisine, visit the bars, museums, and other local attractions.
• Dialogue instead of monologue – when you are talking about your life and the U.S. ask others how it compares to theirs and how they live in their own country.

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