Culture Shock: Fears and Adjustment

Though people experience culture shock in different ways, the most common feelings when moving to another country are: loneliness, frustration, extreme homesickness and feeling left out or misunderstood. The excitement of travelling gives way to anxiety as time goes on and the visitor still has trouble understanding his new surroundings. So how do we deal with the frustration and fears? How can we begin to feel comfortable in our new environment?The first stage of culture shock is discomfort and rejection. Some of the symptoms are: excessive concern over cleanliness of food and water, irritation over delays, and refusal to learn the language of the host country. The second phase is regression. The home environment is suddenly worshipped, all difficulties are forgotten, and only the good things are remembered. It usually takes a trip home to bring one back to reality.Difficult feelings may tempt one to isolate from their new surroundings and dismiss the new culture. It's best not to withdraw like this, but stay calm, observe and learn, and keep things in perspective. Sooner ar later difficulties will pass. The main problem is that culture shock has not been studied carefully enough for people to help the one suffering from it, so the individual continues to be considered a bit queer until he or she adjusts to the new situation. In some rare cases culture shock may cause depression and even nervous breakdown. If one is not able to function normally even after the first few months in a new environment, they should talk to a counselor or mental health professional.People have a way of accepting their culture as both the best and the only way of doing things. This is perfectly normal and understandable. This attitude is referred to as ethnocentrism, a belief that not only the culture but the race and nation form the center of the world. In an effort to get over culture shock, there is value in knowing something about the nature of culture and its relationship to the individual. In addition to living in a physical environment, an individual lives in a cultural environment consisting of manmade physical objects, social institutions, and ideas and beliefs. With a complete adjustment one not only accepts the foods, habits, and customs but actually begins to enjoy them.