Lecture 12Lecture 12

Culture ShockCulture Shock

Adaptation & Re-entryAdaptation & Re-entry

The stress or disorientation associated The stress or disorientation associated with adapting to a new culture or unusual with adapting to a new culture or unusual contextcontext

CausesCauses Loss of usual cues, signs and signalsLoss of usual cues, signs and signals Collapse of normal interpersonal interactionCollapse of normal interpersonal interaction Sense of danger to our personal unitySense of danger to our personal unity

Stages: Honeymoon, Homesick, Hate, Stages: Honeymoon, Homesick, Hate, HomeHome

Culture ShockCulture Shock

Cycle of Culture ShockCycle of Culture Shock

Phase 1:

Tourist phase

(Euphoria)

Phase 2:

Crisis phase

(Depression)

Phase 3:

Readjustment phase

(Rebuilding)

Phase 4:

Back to Normal Phase

PhysiologicalPhysiological Overly concerned with health & cleanlinessOverly concerned with health & cleanliness Not feeling “well” Not feeling “well”

Headaches, Tension, Upset stomach, SleeplessnessHeadaches, Tension, Upset stomach, Sleeplessness Low energy level / TiredLow energy level / Tired

PsychologicalPsychological Feelings of powerlessness & helplessnessFeelings of powerlessness & helplessness Fear of being cheated or robbedFear of being cheated or robbed Fear of injuryFear of injury HomesicknessHomesickness Stress, anxiety, loneliness, irritability, frustration, paranoia, Stress, anxiety, loneliness, irritability, frustration, paranoia,

disorientation, defensivenessdisorientation, defensiveness

SocialSocial Withdrawal from relationships and conversationsWithdrawal from relationships and conversations

Excessive frustration and complainingExcessive frustration and complaining

““Local native” bashingLocal native” bashing

Defensive communication styleDefensive communication style

Symptoms of Culture ShockSymptoms of Culture Shock

U-curveU-curve

anticipation adaptation

shock, disorientation, identity crisis

Re-entering one’s home culture = Re-entering one’s home culture = repeat U-curve resulting in a “W-curve”repeat U-curve resulting in a “W-curve”

Preliminary State

AdaptationState

Spectator State

Shock State

Participant State

Preliminary State

AdaptationState

Spectator State

Shock State

Participant State

Entry into New Culture Re-entry into Own

Culture

Preliminary StagePreliminary Stage Planning & Packing: Planning & Packing: Airplane tickets, passport, Airplane tickets, passport,

visavisa

Spectator StageSpectator Stage Many strange sights, new experiences & Many strange sights, new experiences &

peoplepeople Things happen so fast, everything is a blurThings happen so fast, everything is a blur

Participant StageParticipant Stage Sightseeing has ended Normal life beginsSightseeing has ended Normal life begins

Housing, food, shopping, commuting, bankingHousing, food, shopping, commuting, banking

Stages of W-curve Stages of W-curve

Shock StageShock Stage Problems surface which can’t handle aloneProblems surface which can’t handle alone Tired of strange food; Work quality declinesTired of strange food; Work quality declines Depressed, lethargic, irritable, critical of host countryDepressed, lethargic, irritable, critical of host country Feeling local people are indifferent to one’s strugglesFeeling local people are indifferent to one’s struggles

Adaptation StageAdaptation Stage Reaching this stage = satisfactory progressReaching this stage = satisfactory progress In-group relationships develop with localsIn-group relationships develop with locals Sense of belonging and acceptance developsSense of belonging and acceptance develops

Re-entry StageRe-entry Stage Intercultural re-entry begins with preparations to Intercultural re-entry begins with preparations to

return to home countryreturn to home country

Stages of W-curve Stages of W-curve (con’t)(con’t)

Occurs after you have returned homeOccurs after you have returned homeMore “shocking” because unexpectedMore “shocking” because unexpectedYou are a different person than when you left You are a different person than when you left

New experiences, understanding, skills, words or lanNew experiences, understanding, skills, words or language, style, fashion, interests, opinions guage, style, fashion, interests, opinions

Meanwhile, life at home has not stoppedMeanwhile, life at home has not stopped People are older, important things happenedPeople are older, important things happened

People may not care about your experiencePeople may not care about your experienceThey may feel you are different negativelyThey may feel you are different negativelyThey wait for you to get back to “normal”They wait for you to get back to “normal”

Re-entry ShockRe-entry Shock

Everything will be the sameEverything will be the same Everything will be greatEverything will be great I will fit back into life with no problemI will fit back into life with no problem I can continue relationships where left offI can continue relationships where left off I have the same needs and goals as I have the same needs and goals as

beforebefore People will be open mindedPeople will be open minded People will be interested in my storiesPeople will be interested in my stories People will recognize and applaud my People will recognize and applaud my

personal growthpersonal growth

Common Expectations Upon returningCommon Expectations Upon returning

Understand returning involves an adjustment Understand returning involves an adjustment process similar to going abroadprocess similar to going abroad

Ask questions to get “tuned” back in Ask questions to get “tuned” back in Research groups that may interest youResearch groups that may interest you Explore places where you might find others Explore places where you might find others

with international experience, or seek foreign with international experience, or seek foreign nationals with whom you can speak the nationals with whom you can speak the language you’ve learned and continue to language you’ve learned and continue to

share common experiences you’ve enjoyedshare common experiences you’ve enjoyed

Countering Re-entry ShockCountering Re-entry Shock

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsCues and SymbolsCues and Symbols What are some cues/signs/symbols…What are some cues/signs/symbols…

that you missed in an intercultural setting?that you missed in an intercultural setting? that you have seen foreigners miss in your culture?that you have seen foreigners miss in your culture? that foreigners need to be aware of in your culture?that foreigners need to be aware of in your culture?

Phases of Culture ShockPhases of Culture Shock When experiencing CS, what are some coping When experiencing CS, what are some coping

strategies that you can use?strategies that you can use? Describe your experience of going through CS.Describe your experience of going through CS.

Personal NeedsPersonal Needs When living abroad, what were (or what would be) When living abroad, what were (or what would be)

some of your personal needs?some of your personal needs? What do you think you just couldn’t live without?What do you think you just couldn’t live without?

Personality Traits for SuccessPersonality Traits for Success What personality traits are needed to have a successful stay What personality traits are needed to have a successful stay

abroad? Or, to have a successful return home?abroad? Or, to have a successful return home?