Culture Shock

Culture Shock can be defined as “an emotional reaction that follows from not being able to understand, control, and predict another’s behavior.”  It can also be defined as the expected confrontation with the unfamiliar.  Although a culture can be shocking at times, the reaction to differences is usually more subtle because it is the accumulation of many experiences in a new culture that forms our opinions.  For this reason, many experts in this field prefer the term “culture fatigue”.

Adjustments

The success of your experience depends upon your own efforts to acclimate yourself to living and studying in a foreign culture.  You will have moments of exhilaration and moments of real frustration.  Gradually, as you come to terms with the culture, the frustrations will become fewer and fewer.  One of the greatest benefits of living in a foreign country is an added depth of appreciation and understanding of U.S. culture.  The insights into yourself will be of immeasurable value.

In adjusting to your study abroad environment, you will have to deal with real as well as perceived cultural differences.  Keep in mind that people of other cultures are just as adept at stereotyping the Americans, as we are at stereotyping them – and the results are not always complimentary.  The following, for example, are a few of the qualities (some positive, some negative) that others frequently associate with the “typical” U. S. American.

  • Outgoing and friendly, informal, loud, rude, boastful, immature
  • Hardworking, extravagant and wasteful
  • Sure to have all the answers
  • Disrespectful of authority, racially prejudiced
  • Ignorant of other cultures
  • Wealthy and generous
  • Always in a hurry, promiscuous, politically naïve
  • Overweight

While a stereotype might have some grain of truth, it is obvious when we consider individual differences that not every U.S. American fits the previous description.  Keep in mind that this same thing is true about your own host and your preconceptions.  Remember that you are an ambassador of the U.S. and don’t fall into any of these “ugly American” categories.

Survival Strategies

In another cultural context, you will often find that your everyday “normal” behavior becomes “abnormal’.  Unspoken rules of social interaction have changed, and the attitudes and behavior that characterize life in the U.S. are not necessarily appropriate in the host country.  These “rules” concern not only language differences, but also such wide-ranging matters as family structure, faculty student relationships, friendships, gender and personal relations.

One way to handle these social and personal changes is to understand the cycle of adjustment that occurs.

  1. You can expect to go through an initial period of euphoria and excitement as you are overwhelmed by the thrill of being in a totally new and unusual environment.  This initial period is filled with details of getting settled into housing, scheduling classes, and meeting new friends, and a tendency to spend a great deal of time with other U.S. students, both during orientation activities and free time.
  2. As this initial sense of adventure wears off, you may gradually become aware that your old habits and routine ways of doing things are no longer relevant.  A bit of frustration can be expected. And you may find yourself becoming unusually irritable.  Minor problems suddenly assume the proportions of major crises, and you may grow somewhat depressed.  You may write letters, send emails, or call home indicating that you are having a terrible time adjusting to the new country.
  3. However, the human psyche is extremely flexible and most students weather this initial period and make personal and academic adjustments as the months pass.  They may begin to spend less time with the Americans and more time forming friendships with local people.  They often forget to communicate with home.
  4. When the adjustment is complete, most students begin to feel they are finally in tune with their surroundings, neither praising nor criticizing the culture but becoming part of it.
  5. Then you may experience a stage of sadness because you are not ready to leave the host country and return to the U.S.

Recognizing the existence of and your vulnerability to culture shock will certainly ease some of the strain, but there are also several short-term strategies you can use when you recognize culture shock and are faced with the challenges of adjustment.

·        Become more familiar with the local language:  Independent study in the local language should facilitate your transition.  Continue your study of the foreign language until your departure.  Rent and watch foreign films to become accustomed to the rhythm and sounds of the language of your new home.  Do not become so concerned with the grammar and technicalities of a language that you are afraid to speak once you are abroad.

·        Know your own country:  You will find that people around the world often know far more about the U.S. and its policies than you do.  Whether or not you are familiar with current events, particularly foreign policy, expect to be asked about your opinions and to hear the opinions of others.  Start preparing now by reading newspapers and news magazines.

·        Examine your motives for going:  Although you will certainly do some traveling while you’re abroad, remember that your program is not an extended vacation.  Strong academic motivations for studying abroad are critical since much of your time will be spent studying.

·        Recognize the value of culture shock:  Culture shock is a way of sensitizing you to another culture at a level that goes beyond the intellectual and the rational.  Just as an athlete cannot get in shape without going through the uncomfortable conditioning stage, so you cannot fully appreciate the cultural differences that exist without first going through the uncomfortable stages of psychological adjustment.

·        Expect to feel frustrated and angry at times:  You are bound to have communication problems when you are not using your native language or dialect.  Moreover, people will do things differently in your new home, and you will not always think their way is as good as yours.  Once you accept that nothing you do is going to radically change the different cultural practices, you will save yourself real frustration.  Remember that you are the foreigner and a guest in the other culture.

·        Expect to hear criticism of the U.S.:  If you educate yourself on U.S. Politics and foreign policies, you will be more prepared to handle these discussions as they occur.  Remember that such criticism of U.S. policies is not personal.  Don’t’ be afraid to argue if you feel so inclined.  Most foreign nationals are very interested in the U.S. and may know more a great deal about U.S. policies.

·        Talk to someone if you have a serious problem: The resident director, faculty leader, or other institutional staff member is there to counsel students with serious problems.  He/she has first-hand experience with adjustments abroad and can be a real friend in times of need.  Share smaller problems with other students since they are going through the same process and can provide a day-to day support group.

·        Keep your sense of humor: Almost all returned study abroad students have wonderful stories about how much fun they had during their time abroad.  If you have a terrible, frustrating day (or week) abroad, remember that it will pass.  Time has a way of helping us remember the good times and turning those horrible times into fascinating stories.

·        Write a journal:  One of the best ways to deal with cultural adjustments and to reflect thoughtfully on the differences between U.S. and the other cultures is to regularly write in a journal. As you write, you will think your way out of the negative reactions that may result from your unfamiliarity with language and cultural behavior.  When you return home you will have more than just memories, souvenirs, and photos of your time abroad, you will have a written record of your changing attitudes and process of learning about the foreign culture.

·        Expect to change your life: Studying away will be a life changing experience for you.  Your perspectives on the world, your home, and yourself will be completely redefined.  Remember that you only have one life to live and this may be the only chance you have to study abroad.  Therefore, you must keep an open mind, have an inquisitive spirit, and a desire for fun.  Realize that you are one of the lucky few to study abroad, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and always be positive.

Returning to the U.S.

Reverse Culture Shock

As difficult as it is to adapt to an entirely new culture, it can be just as challenging to come back home after being away for any period of time.  Immediately after you return you can expect to go through an initial stage of euphoria and excitement.  Seeing your family and friends will be exhilarating, however unfortunately, it will wear off.  You have become accustomed to a high level of activity and stimulation that your home and campus may not be able to match at first glance.  As a result, you may feel restless or depressed after you return. 

Reverse or re-entry shock can be defined as the unexpected confrontation with the familiar.  Remember that the world at home hasn’t stopped for you while you were gone.  Upon your return home, you may find you aren’t the only one who has changed during your absence.  Everyone and everything else will have changed too.  Remember to take time to readjust slowly.

You will notice that you think differently about the United States.  You will spend time reflecting on the differences between the U.S. and the former host country, just as you did when you left.  Friends and family may be interested in stories or pictures for a while, but “really don’t understand.”  It may be difficult to express your feelings in words.  Remember that many people may have difficulty relating to what you are saying because it hasn’t been a part of their experience.

There are countless ways to use the interests and skills you gained while abroad.  Be creative in applying what you learned so your growth can continue:

  • Talk with students from your program or others who have studied and traveled extensively abroad.
  • Start thinking about when and how you will return.  Some students have applied to graduate schools in the country in which they study, have found employment possibilities while they were on the program, have joined the U.S. Peace Corps, or have just returned to visit their host family and friends.
  • Submit a paragraph description to the campus newspaper or other publication.
  • Develop a Web site for your experience.
  • Get connected with international Students on your campus.
  • Share your experience with clubs and groups, including adults and children.
  • Join international organizations and clubs.
  • Continue your foreign language training or take courses with an international focus.
  • Continue studying your host country by taking related courses, reading international papers, viewing films and videos, writing research papers, etc.
  • Integrate the best parts of the two cultures.  Don’t feel you must give up one at the expense of another.