about cultural shock

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Culture Shock

The term, culture shock, was introduced for the first time in 1958 to describe the anxiety produced when a person moves to a
completely new environment. This term expresses the lack of direction, the feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do things in a
new environment, and not knowing what is appropriate or inappropriate. The feeling of culture shock generally sets in after the first few
weeks of coming to a new place.

We can describe culture shock as the physical and emotional discomfort one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place
different from the place of origin. Often, the way that we lived before is not accepted as or considered as normal in the new place.
Everything is different, for example, not speaking the language, not knowing how to use banking machines, not knowing how to use the
telephone and so forth.

The symptoms of cultural shock can appear at different times. Although, one can experience real pain from culture shock; it is also an
opportunity for redefining one's life objectives. It is a great opportunity for leaning and acquiring new perspectives. Culture shock can make
one develop a better understanding of oneself and stimulate personal creativity.

Stages of Culture Shock

Culture shock has many stages. Each stage can be ongoing or appear only at certain times. The first stage is the incubation stage.
In this first stage, the new arrival may feel euphoric and be pleased by all of the new things encountered. This time is called the
"honeymoon" stage, as everything encountered is new and exciting.

Afterwards, the second stage presents itself. A person may encounter some difficult times and crises in daily life. For example,
communication difficulties may occur such as not being understood. In this stage, there may be feelings of discontent, impatience,
anger, sadness, and feeling incompetence. This happens when a person is trying to adapt to a new culture that is very different from
the culture of origin. Transition between the old methods and those of the new country is a difficult process and takes time to
complete. During the transition, there can be strong feelings of dissatisfaction.

The third stage is characterized by gaining some understanding of the new culture.  A new feeling of pleasure and sense of humor may
be experienced. One may start to feel a certain psychological balance. The new arrival may not feel as lost and starts to have a feeling
of direction. The individual is more familiar with the environment and wants to belong. This initiates an evaluation of the old ways
versus those of the new.

In the fourth stage, the person realizes that the new culture has good and bad things to offer. This stage can be one of double
integration or triple integration depending on the number of cultures that the person has to process. This integration is accompanied
by a more solid feeling of belonging. The person starts to define him/herself and establish goals for living.

The fifth stage is the stage that is called the "re-entry shock." This occurs when a return to the country of origin is made.  One may find
that things are no longer the same. For  example, some of the newly acquired customs are not in use in the old culture.

These stages are present at different times and each person has their own way of reacting in the stages of culture shock.
As a consequence, some stages will be longer and more difficult than others. Many factors contribute to the duration and effects of
culture shock. For example, the individual's state of mental health, type of personality, previous experiences, socio-economic
conditions, familiarity with the language, family and/or social support systems, and level of education.