Culture Shock...don't let it get you down.

Whether you're just going on vacation or planning to live abroad or even visit for a few days, culture shock is a very real possibility.  Sometimes, it doesn't even kick in until a few days later, it is not always immediate.  Being in a new place can be so exciting that, it just doesn't happen until you start getting homesick.  In case you're unsure of what culture shock is, here's a definition: Culture shock is the difficulty people have adjusting to a new culture that differs markedly from their own.  The shock of moving to a foreign country often consists of distinct phases, though not everyone passes through these phases and not everyone is in the new culture long enough to pass through all five.


The five phases you may go through are: the Honeymoon Phase, the Negotiation Phase, the Adjustment Phase, the Mastery Phase, and General Note.  Not everyone goes through all the phases, and if you've traveled enough, culture shock may not happen at all or may be for a shorter period of time.

A different way of looking at the process of culture shock.

For me, I can trace the different phases from my experience in Spain.  The Honeymoon Phases lasted a few days, but not quite a week.  I fell in love with Spain, and while I compared everything to the US, I adored the country.  After moving in with my host family and living in Granada for a few days, I found a new frustration with the language and the siesta hours, in which I could not go shopping even though I had free time.  While adjustment is supposed to take 6-12 weeks, I think I went through an adjustment period of my own and was well adjusted for the following weeks (for about 3 weeks), and I spent that time just enjoying the differences and trying to enjoy my time there.


There was definitely some frustration involved in this process, however I also found I had to experience it all over again when I came back.  Everything here seemed different and I went through the phases all over again.  It took about two months I think to fully adjust back to the point where I wasn't missing/talking about Spain every single day.  I still talk about Spain and often think how it seems better there than here, but I've also been able to enjoy the comforts of home again.


Some things you can do when you're going through the phases:


1. Keep in contact with friends/family at home.
2. Write postcards.
3. Take pictures.
4. Enjoy opportunities/sites around you.
5. Get to know/make friends in the culture you're living in.


For more information, do a Google search.. :)


Ciao,


Lauren