In this article, you can download a brochure containing basic tips on how to deal with culture shock.
Culture shock is defined as experiencing confusion or anxiety when exposed to a new culture, usually without proper preparation. Perhaps you have recently travelled to a foreign country, started college, served on a mission trip, or started a new job abroad. Know that it is normal for feelings of confusion, stress or homesickness to arise in you. You can cope with culture shock through working through these changes, focusing on the positives, and adapting to the culture.
Factors causing culture shock
1. A different way of living
You realise it fairly quickly that your way of life has completely changed. This newfound independence can be very overwhelming. With a sudden change in your routine life, it can get difficult to understand how to cope without it. Since every decision you make will impact your life directly, it is important to be responsible and take control. For instance, if you do not cook your meal or do your laundry or buy groceries or finish your projects, nobody else will.
2. Language
Despite having a good grasp over the language spoken in your study country, it will be a new experience altogether when you interact with the locals in real-life. The country may have some local slangs as part of their daily language which you will get used to over time. For example, Canadians call $1 a loonie and $2 a toonie; and one of the most common coffees here is a Double-Double.
3. Weather conditions
In Canada, you might experience a new degree of cold during winters. Similarly, in the UK, you’ll experience more rains than you expected, while in Australia, you’ll experience winters and summers at different times of the year than what you are used to. Such factors can also be stressful as any change in climate may impact your health when you are least expecting it. You’d be surprised however, that life in these countries never stops because of the weather conditions and neither should you.
4. Academics
Every country has a different education system and with it comes a new structure, teaching methodologies, scoring patterns, project works, deadlines, scholarships, etc. Sometimes, there is just too much information to put together and get used to at once. Don’t get overwhelmed with this new information and try to understand each slowly to be able to adapt to it.
5. New societal rules
There are always some unspoken, well-understood rules in every society, such as your new environment. These rules have a direct impact on the day-to-day functioning of the society. For instance, when in Canada, it is common to say “thank you” or “sorry” too often at very minuscule of things. If not, you might be considered rude, despite you not intending to. In Australia, a stranger may call you a mate, even if meeting for the first time.
6. Missing home or food
It is obvious to miss home or your cuisine you’ve grown on. The best way to deal with it is to find shops or restaurants that offer the things you like. You can also learn to cook and invite friends over so it doesn’t make overly homesick. Better still, pick up your phone and make those calls home.
The Four Stages of Culture Shock
There are four stages of culture shock that you could experience over the course of 12 months. That sounds like a long time (and it might feel like it), but how you feel during that time isn’t entirely bad. When you first move somewhere new, it can be great fun. And there’s no better feeling than when you have finally overcome the confusing emotions. It’s important to remember that while we all may experience these stages of culture shock, some of us may go through the process quicker and with less stress than others. Your experience will be your own and there is no right or wrong way to encounter these feelings.
Here are the four most common stages of culture shock.
1. The Honeymoon Stage
Also known as the ‘tourist’ stage, this can be the most enjoyable stage of culture shock. This often includes the feelings of excitement that you have as you look forward to the new journey you are starting. During this stage, you may feel open to exploring and trying new things. You may experience some anxiety and stress about your new city, but, during this stage, you may tend to view these feelings positively. Generally, you enjoy the buzz of the new city and all it has to offer when you’re in the honeymoon stage.
2. The Negotiation Stage
This may be the worst stage of culture shock, not least because it happens immediately after the high of the honeymoon stage. For some people, it can occur just hours after moving. For others, it can happen up to six months after you’ve been living in your new city. In this stage of culture shock, you may feel exhausted and constantly tired of the discoveries you have been making. You may also feel frustrated by how different things are from what you are used to. The aspects of your new life that you found endearing at first, may feel irritating or confusing when you’re in the negotiation stage.
3. The Adjustment Stage
This is an important stage in your recovery from culture shock. It’s also a stage that you can reach quicker the sooner you recognise why you feel the way that you do. In this stage, you start to learn how to manage your feelings. You begin to problem-solve to understand how you can overcome those irritated or confusing thoughts in your day-to-day life. During this stage, you may still experience problems and negative feelings. However, you may also begin to understand more about why things are so different and maybe even why it makes sense in this culture.
4. The Adaptation Stage (or Acceptance)
This is the final stage and is also known as the acceptance stage of culture shock. This is when your problem-solving starts to work and you become successful at managing your new environment. Although you may never fully accept the new culture, you’ll feel like you have successfully adjusted, and you have stable ways of feeling good while living day-to-day life. Once you reach this stage, many people can permanently say goodbye to culture shock and feel happier and more secure in their environment long-term.
How to Overcome Culture Shock
The only way to overcome culture shock is to learn long-lasting adaptations (or coping mechanisms) to deal with your new environment. The two specific most highly advocated ways to overcome culture shock is to be prepared for it and have a strong social network around you. If you can recognise that how you feel is because you are culturally shocked, then studies suggest that you are more likely to be successful in overcoming it. Likewise, if you talk about how you feel with others, you can feel more supported and not alone.
Effective tips to deal with culture shock:
1. Admit that culture shock exists
Admitting it is always the first step. Accept that culture shock exists and understand that as much as you feel like you’re a fearless world traveler, you are not immune to discomfort.
2. Learn about the country as much as possible before you go
One of the best ways to prepare yourself is to study up on your host country. Take time to read through travel books, forums, and blog. If you’re able, talk to people who have been there.
3. Stay in touch
Combat culture shock by connecting with family and friends from home, talk to them about how you are feeling. Sometimes, people outside of your situation can give you the best advice.
4. Make friends and establish connections
Culture shock has less of an effect if you are with people around you. Making friends not only makes it easier to deal with but also goes a long way in improving your social skills.
5. Integrate into the local environment
Start a new hobby and enjoy things you cannot do back home. y the activities favored by locals, eat regional food, find the hidden gems of the country… The list could go on and on. Pay attention to the historical and cultural values.
You can find these and many other tips at the link below. We have created brochure for those who have faced culture shock and want to cope with it.
They are available for download.
We would also like to share with you the personal experience of those who went through culture shock. I know all of them personally and consider them an excellent example of people who have successfully dealt with the process of adaptation to a new place.
We hope that everyone will find something for themselves in their stories.
Christina Burdina: from Yaroslavl, Russia to Jerusalem
"In 2020, I moved from my hometown in Russia to Israel. This has been my blue dream for many years, and when it happened I had a lot of expectations about changing my place of residence. In a new country I faced the strongest stress due to cultural shock and it took me a huge amount of time to overcome it.
-How did you prepare to move to another country? Have you studied its culture beforehand?
-I've been preparing to move since I was 10 years old. My family and I were constantly studying the history and culture of Israel and travelling to the country. I also decided to immerse myself in the religion of this state and started attending a synagogue. Such experience extremely helped me to cope with the culture shock and to understand the mentality of Israelis in consequence. I have observed many situations when the local society rejected foreigners who did not know the national culture of their country, taking it as a disrespect.
-Tell us about how you encountered cultural shock in Israel for the first time. What was it manifested in?
-I encountered a culture shock as soon as my plane landed at the airport of another country. Its source was simple: my expectations did not coincide with reality. I expected a better life for myself and hoped for radical changes but suddenly realized that my fate is determined by my actions, not by my place of residence. I tried to accept this thought and fix it in my head. The acceptance stage was greatly simplified by the fact that I run my blog and have the opportunity to speak out there.
-What other methods have you tried to overcome culture shock?
-Oh, there were a lot of them. I started with little things like writing down my experiences and thoughts and ended up going to a psychologist. Even the smallest step on the way to overcoming difficulties means a lot. I completely immersed myself in learning the language of the country, visited cultural events and tried to stay active. My new school gave me the opportunity to attend dance and yoga classes, so I began to actively engage in sports. Sport helped to establish harmony in the soul and adapt faster. I also began to feel much better when I established relationships with others and found new friends."
Amalia Dankovtseva: from Yaroslavl, Russia to Paris
"Me and my family moved to Paris when I was 16. I have been immersed in French culture since my childhood and subconsciously prepared for the change of the place of residence by learning the language; but when the move happened I camed across culture shock that I could not cope with for a long period of time.
-What factors made you experience culture shock in a new place?
-In a new place, literally anything can be the reason for a culture shock. In my case, it was a sharp change in my social circle and living conditions. I missed those habits and hobbies that I could not realize in the new country such as my hip hop classes which are not popular in France. It was also not so easy to find friends aka soulmates because of the difference in mentalities. I felt very anxious about this, I even started attending consultations with a psychologist.
-How long have you been haunted by culture shock?
-It sounds sad, but I suffered from culture shock for about one year. I went through various stages, sometimes I felt a strong level of anxiety, sometimes I didn't feel it at all. Anyway it was hard mentally and I'm glad that I overcame the culture shock.
-How did the experience of moving to another country and the culture shock affect your world perception?
-I am grateful for this trial of my life. This experience wasn't easy but it made me stronger and more mature than i was before. I have learned to take responsibility for my actions and never give up. I've never looked at life as wisely as I do now. Problems such as culture shock harden our character and promote personal growth. So let's be thankful!"
Pacharapohn Sakulsriprasert: from Bangkok to Yaroslavl, Russia
"I was a student of the cultural exchange program when I went to Russia. Me and a group of students from different countries were settled in different parts of the country and had to stay there for a year but Covid-19 has shortened the duration of our stay. I perceived the trip to Russia as a very unusual (in a positive way) experience and I was ready to sacrifice my conventional lifestyle for this. I was quite clearly faced with a culture shock, but I tried to look at things positively. Thanks a lot to my wonderful host sister Ksyusha, the author of this article!
-How did you perceive the difference in the mentalities of two completely different countries?
-It was difficult but entertaining. Sometimes I felt very anxious because I could not immediately fit into the local community, as if I were a black sheep. Russia and Thailand have very different cultures and traditions of living. I've always tried to let go of the situation and just enjoy the unique experience. I always shared my emotions with others, whether they were positive or negative, and the process of going through difficulties became easier for me. I believe that everyone needs to be open to the world and then it will be kind to us back.
-Did you miss your homeland? If so, how did you handle it?
-Definitely yes! I really missed my family and friends. I also lacked my national cuisine. I asked my parents to send me a lot of packages containing photos of my family, Thai food and many other things important to me. I was also puzzled by the weather conditions in Russia. They were very unusual for me but I tried to look for advantages everywhere: I was incredibly happy when saw snow for the first time and was able to put on a winter jacket!
-Culture shock couldn't resist your positivity. Sweetheart, tell me, what is the secret of your life-affirming attitude?
-In fact, I was just trying not to stop appreciating the opportunity that was given to me. There were difficult times, too, and not in small quantities but I did my best to overcome them. Due to the cultural shock and difficulties of adaptation, I started calling a psychologist who gave me a lot of worthwhile advices. So I started keeping a diary of my emotions and analyzing my feelings. I also found delight in music by starting to play the guitar. I am very grateful for the experience that was provided to me. I also appreciate the difficulties I went through when faced with culture shock because they made me stronger!"
This is the end of our article on the topic of culture shock. We hope that it was useful for you and gave you confidence in yourself and in the future!
We are not certified psychologists, but we are sure that these simple tips will help you cope with difficulties. For qualified help, you would better turn to professionals.