Stages of Culture Shock ,The Honeymoon Stage: The first stage is commonly referred to as the honeymoon phase, Overcome culture shock, STOP THINKING ABOUT HOME Avoid constant comparisons with home. It won’t help you to settle in. Symptoms: Sadness, Homesickness, Loneliness, Sleep too much, too littleAnger, Irritability ,Resentment
Culture shocks What is culture shock? Culture shock is the physical and emotional discomfort of being in a foreign country another culture, an unfamiliar place, or all three Common reactions • Culture "Surprise": Usually occurs early in your stay in the new culture when you begin to be aware of superficial, novel, and startling differences • Culture "Stress": " Culture Stress" is often seen in travelers abroad One becomes tired and withdrawn Annoyance builds as daily reality becomes more difficult • Culture "Irritation": It is usually traceable to a few observable behaviors: spitting, hygiene, public displays ( drunkenness, etc.) • Culture "Fatigue": This occurs when you begin to respond to the behavior of the "new" culture and are stressed by trying to deal with lots of new cultural information all at once • Culture "Shock": Culture Shock comes from the natural contradiction between our accustomed patterns of behavior and the psychological conflict of attempting to maintain them in the new cultural environment While the time of onset is variable, it usually occurs within a few months of entering a new culture and is a normal, healthy psychological reaction While culture shock is common, relief is available Symptoms: • Sadness • Homesickness • Loneliness • Sleep too much, too little • Anger • Irritability • Resentment • Sense of helplessness It is important to understand that “culture shock” has a wide range of symptoms and that many people experience only mild annoyances and temporary dissatisfaction in the process of adjusting to life overseas However, for a few, culture shock can be a profoundly disorienting experience and take much longer to recover from, particularly if those in the midst of the experience are unaware of the sources of the problem and have no idea of how to counteract it Stages of Culture Shock People who experience culture shock may go through four phases that are explained below • The Honeymoon Stage: The first stage is commonly referred to as the honeymoon phase That's because people are thrilled to be in their new environment • The Frustration Stage: People may become increasingly irritated and disoriented as the initial glee of being in a new environment wears off • The Adaptation Stage: The adaptation stage is often gradual as people feel more at home in their new surroundings The feelings from the frustration stage begin to subside as people adjust to their new environment • The Acceptance Stage: During the acceptance or recovery stage, beliefs and attitudes to their new surroundings improve, leading to increased selfconfidence and a return of their sense of humor Overcome culture shock Finally, we also need to develop our own strategies to overcome culture shock STOP THINKING ABOUT HOME Avoid constant comparisons with home It won’t help you to settle in MEET THE RIGHT KIND OF PEOPLE Make friends with positive-minded people Try to avoid people who are critical of your new home GET ACTIVE! Start a new hobby or pastime which isn’t possible back home STAY IN TOUCH Keep in regular contact with home, family and friends SHARE Share your own culture with your new friends and neighbours DON’T BE SHY Communicate your feelings Tell friends, colleagues and loved ones how you feel TRAVEL! Travel and see new places that will make you appreciate your new home country This is a once in a lifetime experience – enjoy it! Go trekking, explore ruins, attend cooking classes, learn the language and, most importantly, don’t look back and say what if… Remember, even the most hardened and well-travelled business people experience culture shock It is a normal and natural reaction to new and strange surroundings With time it will get better, and you will look back on your international experience as a very positive one that has enhanced your professional and personal life ... time of onset is variable, it usually occurs within a few months of entering a new culture and is a normal, healthy psychological reaction While culture shock is common, relief is available Symptoms:... sense of humor Overcome culture shock Finally, we also need to develop our own strategies to overcome culture shock STOP THINKING ABOUT HOME Avoid constant comparisons with home It won’t help... which isn’t possible back home STAY IN TOUCH Keep in regular contact with home, family and friends SHARE Share your own culture with your new friends and neighbours DON’T BE SHY Communicate your