Preparation for culture shock

Culture shock Experience when in a different culture is like a roller-coaster…there are ups and downs, high and low points…

Culture shock is the sense of confusion,

discomfort, disorientation, and uncertainty

that might be felt by those exposed to a

different cultural environment.

“The Iceberg Model”

Time Space Attitudes

“evident culture”

“deep

culture”

Environment

Interpersonal Relations

Fundamental Ideas (Values)

Evident Characteristics language, appearance, fashion

Friends Co-workers/boss Lovers

Custom Way of living

Symptoms of Shock Culture

•People who are experiencing culture shock worry and complain about all aspects of life — food, weather, people, everything.

•They worry about minor ailments and pains. •They often become frustrated and angry over small problems, and some even refuse to learn anything about their host culture’s language.

•Overall, they feel helpless and homesick and just want to go home to see people who “make sense.”

What Causes Culture Shock? • Culture shock is caused by unfamiliarity with a new

environment. • This could be due to the inability to speak the language, eat

the food, make friends, get around town independently, etc. • People going through culture shock often feel like children

who must rely on natives to help them do basic tasks (i.e. go to the grocery store, send a letter, open a bank account, take a taxi, etc.).

Stages of culture shock

• HONEYMOON STAGE

• CONFLICT STAGE

• CRITICAL PERIOD

• RECOVERY STAGE

Honeymoon Stage

Co

mfo

rt L

evel

Time

Exciting Amazing Beautiful

I can’t wait to tell all my friends about this place!

Honeymoon symptoms

• VIP feeling (everybody is nice to you, showing you around, taking you to places)

• Constantly excited

• Amazed, happy, (a lot of things are different)

• Curios to see more and more new and interesting things

What is happening? • Being busy (registration, apartment, bank account, etc.)

• Observing the new culture and familiarizing yourself with your new environment

• Meeting helpful and friendly people

• First social contacts with members of the host culture

• Seeking out new things to do and thoroughly enjoying your new world

• You may feel proud that you can are taking such a huge challenge.

Conflict Stage (2nd week)

We would never do that at home! These

people are so ___!

Conflict Indicators

Unmet expectations

Frustration

Unable to understand

Self doubt

Helplessness

Loneliness

Homesickness

Feelings of inadequacy

Depression

Confusion

What is happening?

• Desire for more personal relationships with members of the host culture.

• Feeling isolated and out of place. • You may feel tired, sick, depressed, angry and / or frustrated. • Growing awareness that your home culture’s behaviors may

not be accepted in the host culture. • You may have to give up, suspend, or modify your own

behavior. • High expectations remain unmet. • Blaming the host culture for your problems.

• You are not excited anymore about the differences, but less tolerant.

Critical Period

Gradual Adjustment - I am ok

• You feel more relaxed about your situation

• Confidence starts to grow

• Ironic humour replaces anger

• You choose to become an “explorer” in the new culture • You accept the challenge of self-reflection. • You assume responsibility for your own cultural adjustment.

Recovery Stage

Recovery Indicators

• Developed greater tolerance

• Became part of the community

• Improved language skills

What is happening?

• You begin to understand why members of the host culture do what they do.

• You have finally made friends. • You develop a greater tolerance for what is strange and new

in the host culture. • You become a mediator between your culture and your host

culture. • You are able to laugh at yourself – take yourself less seriously.

HOW WOULD YOU PREPARE FOR THE DOWNSIDES?

A good preparation should be…

• Reading books, internet about the cultural differences of the host country

• Talk to aiesecers who were on internship

• Create a “to-do” list

• Remember why you

went you abroad

How to overcome the downsides…

• Be objective • Develop a routine so you feel more like a member of the

community, not a tourist • Make friends with natives from your host country as they can help

you immensely throughout your stay • Know your weak points when you are under stress • Use your eyes and ears, but also use your brain

Solutions…

Don’t exaggerate Watch yourself to not stick to your first “flight” or “fight” reaction

First reflect, then act It’s nobody’s fault - it’s a culture shock. Sleep it over before you make your judgement or even start doing or saying stupid things. Don’t complain about host culture to locals – may offend them.

THANK YOUUUUUUU!

Any questions?