What is Culture? How do we define culture? What are some elements of culture? Language Food Clothing Habits/Customs Religion Architecture

What is Culture Shock? “Culture shock” is a term used to describe some of these more pronounced reactions to spending an extended period of time in a culture very different from your own. Culture shock can be characterized by periods of frustration, adjustment, and even depression. All students, regardless of maturity, disposition, previous experience abroad, or knowledge of the country in which they will be living, experience some degree of culture shock.

What causes culture shock? Culture shock is caused by unfamiliarity with the new country, inability to speak the language fluently or understand the many new idioms, and not knowing how to behave in an unfamiliar culture. Not only is the language different, but gestures, facial expressions, and traditions are also different. Newcomers can sometimes feel like children because they cannot understand all these new things at once.

The 4 stages of culture shock 1 Honeymoon stage 2 Hostility stage 3 Harmony and acceptance 4 Reverse culture shock.

Honeymoon stage During the first stage, foreign visitors often feel excited. The new country is interesting, the people are friendly and helpful, and the future looks promising.

Hostility stage Problems! School, language, shopping — everything is difficult. Things that were simple back home require more effort in the new country. It seems hard to make friends, and at this point, foreign visitors may begin to believe that the local people are unfriendly. Homesickness begins, and along with it complaints about the new country. This is the stage we hear referred to as "culture shock."

Harmony/acceptance Recovery. The foreign visitor begins to use the language more fluently, so communication with locals becomes easier. Customs and traditions become clearer, and slowly the situation passes from impossible to hopeful. Minor misunderstandings which were stressful in stage 2 become manageable.

Symptoms of culture shock Homesickness or Boredom 􀂆 Withdrawal (e.g., spending excessive amounts of time reading, only seeing your own race, and avoiding contact with host nationals) 􀂆 Need for excessive amounts of sleep 􀂆 Unexplainable fits of weeping 􀂆 Compulsive eating and/or drinking 􀂆 Irritability

More symptoms Exaggerated cleanliness 􀂆 Physical ailments (psychosomatic illness) 􀂆 Marital stress, family tension and conflict 􀂆 Chauvinistic excess 􀂆 Stereotyping of host nationals and hostility toward host nationals 􀂆 Loss of ability to work effectively

What do these people do? Americans always… British always… African people always… Canadian people always… Hong Kong people… Shanghai people… Men are… Woman are…

What is stereotyping? What is a Stereotype? Stereotype: A fixed, commonly held notion or image of a person or group, based on an oversimplification of some observed or imagined trait of behaviour or appearance.  Stereotypes are as old as human culture itself. They reflect ideas that groups of people hold about others who are different from them.

Have you ever gone through culture shock? Have you ever felt out of place? Have you ever had no idea what someone was saying to you? Have you ever been stuck somewhere and could not get around? Have you ever felt you have no control over your life at the moment?

Reverse Culture shock When entering back into you own country You will go through culture shock again. Here are some things you will possibly go through.

Boredom and Restlessness After an exciting and stimulating time abroad, returning to family, friends, and old routines can seem dull. It is natural to miss the excitement and challenges which characterize the study abroad experience.

No One Wants to Hear Your family and friends may not be interested in hearing about all of your adventures and observations abroad. Remember that they are not rejecting you or your achievements. You just need to be realistic in your expectations of how fascinating your journey is going to be for anyone, and remember that they may not be able to relate to your experiences.

Relationships Have Changed After a long period of separation, people often need to renegotiate relationships and adjust to being together again. Just as you have altered some of your ideas and attitudes while abroad, the people at home are likely to have experienced some changes, too. Flexibility and openness are important qualities in successfully developing "new" relationships with relatives and old friends.

Identity Issues Some students feel unsure of how to integrate their "old" and "new" selves. Feeling frustrated about the lack of opportunities to apply recently acquired social, linguistic and practical coping skills is also common. Be creative, be patient and above all use cross-cultural adjustment skills to assist in your own re-entry.

Compartmentalization of Experience: Returnees often worry that they will "lose" their international experiences. Memories and experiences are not souvenir objects that you take out occasionally and look at. Keep your study abroad experience alive by maintaining contacts with friends and host families abroad, talking to people who have experiences similar to yours, pursuing the interests and using the skills you developed when you were abroad.

Best way to cope with Culture shock. Find someone who understands the country and the host culture and ask them about some of the things that are frustrating you. Listen carefully to people and remember they may not be making the same assumptions you are. If you are not sure of what they mean, ask. Speak the foreign language as often as possible. Maintain regular living patterns--eat and sleep at regular intervals. If you have certain hobbies or are involved in sports at home, try to do the same abroad. This is a great way to make friends.

Keep a journal about your experiences and emotions abroad. Set time aside each day to do something special and make sure you do it. Find a place you feel comfortable and spend time there. Talk to friends or counselors if you feel you have problems coping; try to look at your problems one at a time, and set out to solve them the same way. Avoid hanging out with other Americans who are disgruntled with the host culture and spend their time complaining.

If you feel depressed, ask yourself these questions: "What did I expect?" "Were my expectations reasonable?" "If so, what can I do to make them come true?" "If not, how can I make the best use of my time?"

Your culture shock What symptoms do you think you will have? How did you feel when you first left home for University? How will going abroad effect you?