CULTURE SHOCK
L. Mukaro & P.E.T. Takavarasha
Introduction
In this topic, we will learn the reasons and stages of the culture shock, and will
understand how best we can deal with culture shock.
Lesson objectives
1. Defining culture shock
2. Understanding the nature and different stages of culture shock
3. Learn how to deal with culture shock
Definition
Culture shock describes the reaction people experience when adjusting to a new
culture. It has different stages and includes a period of feeling “not belonging to”, when
moving and living in a foreign country. Oberg (1960), in his article defined Culture
Shock as resulting from anxiety that comes from losing all our familiar signs and
symbols of social intercourse.
Causes of culture shock
Being in an unfamiliar environment. Culture shock may originate from unfamiliar things
such as differences in social interaction, values and belief, how you buy things in
supermarkets, online, corner shops, open markets, interaction with natives and even
differences in landscape, new sights, climates, decision making etc. when people
experience cultural differences they feel like fish out of water. They find it very difficult
to associate with others especially people from the host culture and might find it difficult
to express their feeling and emotions.
I. Unfamiliar social interaction
For example being used to bowing as a form of greeting (Asians ) and they find
themselves in a culture that does not involve bowing (Americans who hug and kiss), an
individual may feel embarrassed. For Americans kissing and hugging is a way of
expressing affection and friendship whereas for Asians people maintain social distancing
by nodding or shaking hands (Leizl Baker 2016).
II. Language incompetence,
HLLIC102 Intro to Intercultural Communication pg. 1
Facial expressions, body language and verbal language may differ between cultures.
An individual may experience culture shock when they are in an environment where
they cannot fully communicate. Not being able to communicate effectively may cause
frustrations, confusions and many other problems.
III. Strange environment and climate,
Busy or noisy environments, strange cuisine are examples of strange environments.
For example, when a foreigner coming from very quiet and reserved places visits places
like Vietnam where neighbors sing karaoke loudly and noisy at night they might feel
shocked. Strange cuisines might include eating insects, pig blood, eating snakes, cats,
dogs etc. in terms of climate, people from extremely hot tropical climates environments
and they visit cold climate countries they may experience culture. They might get sick
because of the differences in climate
IV. Different behaviors and values
A good example is the standard of beauty, some cultures think being thick is beauty
whereas other cultures regard being skinny as beautiful. Seeing a dog as a pet or
close friend whilst in other cultures it is seen as food. In summary, a person can
experience confusion, shock and anxiety when they are living in a different culture
with different values from their own. Degree of culture shock depends heavily on the
cultural distance between the two cultures.
Symptoms of culture shock
Symptoms may include and not limited to
Boredom
withdrawal (avoiding contact with host nationals, spending time alone reading
or watching movies )
feeling lonely or helpless
sleeping a lot or tiring easily
irritation over delays and other minor frustrations
Feeling sick
Missing home and longing to be back home
unduly criticizing local customs or ways of doing things
Stages of culture shock
HLLIC102 Intro to Intercultural Communication pg. 2
1. Honeymoon stage
Excitement stage, the individual is in love with everything, the environment, the people,
the food etc. It is unlikely that he or she do not experience annoyances but they will be
too overjoyed that everyday problems that they encounter in the beginning do not
distract them from happiness.
2. Distress or frustration stage
Frustrations begin to set in, resulting from the differences in systems the difficulties in
communication and generally the differences in how things are done. Language barrier
becomes imminent during this stage. An individual begins to experience many
differences from rules to regulations and begin to get agitated over small things. At
this stage individuals feel they want to go back home.
3. Adjustment stage
Stage of acceptance. An individual begins to accept his or her situation; they begin to
find solutions to the problems and find ways around their situations and circumstances.
Negativity towards food, culture, people, and behavior is gradually replaced by a new
understanding that this is a common way over here and it is not as bad as they might
have thought it to be.
4. Adaptation stage
Everything looks familiar and comfortable at this stage. The individuals are now familiar
with the food and the environment they feel more at home. The individual might still
experience homesickness but the newly formed friendships fills in the gap of family
because they have become like family.
5. Re-entry shock
Felt when one returns home. Familiar things look unfamiliar, culture shock with one’s
own culture.
NB: Please note that the stages might differ depending on your source. Familiarize
yourself with the different models.
Coping with culture shock
Familiarizing yourself with the host culture (surf the internet, read appropriate
books/ travel books).
Communicate with other foreigners who can give you practical advice.
HLLIC102 Intro to Intercultural Communication pg. 3
Decorate your room with objects that remind you of home, and stay in touch
with your friends and family.
Establish simple and achievable goals and follow through them.
Keep an open mind and give yourself time to adapt, do not expect perfection
and be less judgmental.
Interact with locals and try new things.
(Reference: Marx, Elisabeth. Breaking Through Culture Shock.)
Effects of culture shock
When not dealt with effectively, culture shock affects intercultural communication.
Significantly affects international business ( Kovaleski, 2013). Culture shock causes
Anxiety and stress. Anxiety and stress makes people feel frustrated to adjust in
intercultural communication and end up avoiding association or end up isolating
themselves from intercultural environments (Muhammad Tanveer , 2013).
Read Jane Jackson (2014) to have an in-depth understanding of the subject of culture
shock. different models of the stages of culture shock, defines culture shock according
to the different theories, and gives detailed explanations of the causes of culture shock
as well as analyzing the effects of culture shock both positively and negatively.
The End
HLLIC102 Intro to Intercultural Communication pg. 4
