When Moving to Another Country Know the Signs of Culture Shock
Culture shock is a very real experience for many people who move to another country. Anyone who has lived or studied or even traveled extensively in another country has tasted and lived through some level of culture shock. At the time it may feel more like homesickness, but what most people who haven’t undergone any kind of adaptation program don’t know are the stages one goes through when adjusting to a new language, country and culture.
Before you undertake these five steps, you should understand what culture shock is and what causes it. Knowing what it is and how it comes about will help you identify it more easily and make your international move a little easier.
The online Oxford Dictionary defines culture shock as disorientation experienced when suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture or way of life. This is a good summary; however, let’s break it down a bit further. When you move to a new country, everything is unfamiliar; weather, landscape, language, food, dress, social roles, values, customs and communication – basically, everything you’re used to is no longer in place. You’ll find that the day unfolds differently, that business is conducted in a way that may be hard to understand, the stores are opened and closed at hours that you could never predict. Your patterns are off-kilter, the smells, sounds and tastes are unusual and you can’t communicate with the locals – not even to buy a loaf of bread.
This is culture shock. And like any form of shock, there is a definite and almost certain reaction.
Symptoms of Culture Shock
- a feeling of sadness and loneliness,
- an over-concern about your health,
- headaches, pains, and allergies
- insomnia or sleeping too much
- feelings of anger, depression, vulnerability
- idealizing your own culture
- trying too hard to adapt by becoming obsessed with the new culture
- the smallest problems seem overwhelming
- feeling shy or insecure
- become obsessed with cleanliness
- overwhelming sense of homesickness
- feeling lost or confused
- questioning your decision to move to this place
The Honeymoon Stage
Like any new experience, there’s a feeling of euphoria when you first arrive to a new country and you’re in awe of the differences…to continue reading click here
Source: The spurce
