Culture Shock
Changes in culture can be exciting, stimulating, and a wonderful part of your educational experience. Seeing the world as others see it will benefit you in the workplace and in your personal life for years to come. Cultural adaptation will make you a stronger person, but the process can at times be gradually and subtly disturbing, causing confusion and depression. Everyone has culture shock. We all handle it in different ways.
Culture shock is psychological disorientation due to being in a new culture. Broadly speaking, culture shock comes from:
- living, studying, or working for an extended period of time in a different environment
- having values that you held to be absolute brought into question because of cultural differences
- being constantly put into situations where you are expected to function with maximum proficiency but where the rules have not been adequately explained.
As the above suggests, culture shock does not result from a specific event. Rather, it builds slowly from a series of small events often difficult to identify. Remember that the reactions are emotional and not easily subject to rational management.
The four stages of cultural shock are:
- initial euphoria
- irritability and hostility
- gradual adjustment
- adaptation or bi-culturalism
A person with culture shock may experience some of these symptoms:
- homesickness
- boredom
- withdrawal (i.e., spending excessive amounts of time alone; avoiding contact with host nationals)
- need for excessive amounts of sleep
- compulsive eating and/or drinking
- irritability
- chauvinistic excesses
- stereotyping of and hostility toward host nationals
- loss of ability to work effectively
- physical ailments
There are several steps one can take to deal with culture shock:
- Recognize the causes and symptoms of culture shock.
- Replace what you miss with something from the host culture.
- Nurture friendships with host nationals.
- Build a support system of friends through Global Connections, the International Friendship Program, your department, or other organizations on campus.
- Talk both to host nationals and other internationals about your stress.
- Keep your sense of humor. Recognize that anxiety is normal, and that you must be open, take risks, and laugh at your mistakes.
- Suspend negative judgments about the host culture. Give people another chance.
- Be honest. If you are confused or misunderstood, admit it instead of pretending that the situation is fine.
- Become actively involved in your new environment.
- Spend time with people who are positive about the host culture and other aspects of life.
- Look for logical reasons behind things that seem strange, confusing, or threatening.
- Believe in yourself, the essential good will of your hosts, and the positive outcome of your experience.
- Be open-minded. It is natural that people’s habits in the U.S. are different from those in your home country.
Resources to help you deal with culture shock:
- SMU Counseling Center (214-768-2211)
- Dallas Suicide and Crisis Center - confidential help 24 hours a day (214-828-1000)
- National Graduate Student Crisis Line (1-877-472-3457) For more information: www.gradresources.org
