The Adjustment Process
People may live in other culture or countries for studying, working or being a permanent
resident. Living more than two moths or let say a year or even five years is a big challenge for
them. They will experience the live as riding a roller coaster full of ups and downs. Sometimes it
gives them elation and some other time will give depression. They can experience a oscillate
between loving and hating the new country at the same time in certain period. Usually but not
always, there is an initial moment that the people will feel exciting and enthusiastic. Every
moment that they have been through would be a fascinating experience rather than giving a
trouble to them. It is normal that at first people have a high interest as the newcomers to be
familiar with the new culture. Life seems very interesting, exciting and stimulating. But after a
while the newness become the negative things for them as the emotion bring back the memory of
the home country. Many people in a new culture do not realize that their problems, feelings, and
mood changes are common.
Adjusting to life in a different country is similar to other transitions, like moving to a new city or
starting a new job, but with the added dimensions of adapting to cultural and language
differences. Cultural adjustment takes time and involves a certain degree of coping with
frustration, isolation, and other negative feelings. It's important to understand that this process is
real and a normal part of the study abroad experience. Adjusting your new environment is a key
driver of the personal development you'll experience during your time abroad.
Learning to live in a new culture is not always easy or comfortable. Although the experience is
not identical for everyone, people generally experience four stages of cultural adjustment.
The cultural adjustment process is an emotional one. Common feelings range from mild
uneasiness, homesickness and unhappiness to panic, severe irritability, and loss of perspective.
The basic cause of these feelings is the loss of the familiar. This can also produce feelings of
isolation. Although everyone goes through some adjustment process, it is important to remember
that the experience is very personal. Please remember that you can come to International Student
Services to talk about the ways in which differences in cultural values may be affecting your life
in this new environment.
Factors Influencing the Cultural Adjustment Process
Cultural adjustment can be difficult that people will experience various emotional ups and
downs. Whether someone can adjust the culture appropriately or without a bunch of difficulties
are depended much on:
A. The motivation; whether the person have to live in a new country or culture is
part of his/her will, or being force to do it (as a refugee or escape from the
political matters in origin country).
B. How similar are the language and culture of the new country to the person’s
language and culture.
C. The personality of the person; how flexible or tolerant to the new country.
D. Job and financial situation.
E. Age
F. Degree of ethnocentrism; does the person think the new culture is inferior and
to what degree that he/she thinks everything in a new culture is ‘strange
Stages of the Adjustment Process
The “W” pattern of adjustment process in new culture is commonly faced by the people who
have to stay longer in another culture. “Each stage in the adjustment process is characterized by
symptoms or outward signs ‘typifying certain kinds of behavior’” (Levine and Adelman, 1993).
A. Honeymoon period. Initially many people are fascinated and excited by everything new.
The visitor is elated to be in a new culture.
B. Culture shock. The individual is immersed in new problems: housing, transportation,
shopping, and language. Mental fatigue results from continuously straining to
comprehend the foreign language.
C. Initial adjustment. Everyday activities such as housing and shopping are no longer
major problems. Although the visitor may not yet be fluent in the language spoken, basic
ideas and feelings in the second language can be expressed.
D. Mental isolation. Individuals have been away from their family and good friends for a
long period of time and may feel lonely. Many still feel they cannot express themselves
as well as they can in their native language. Frustration and sometimes a loss of self-
confidence result. Some individuals remain at this stage.
E. Acceptance and integration. A routine (e.g., work, business, or school) has been
established. The visitor has accepted the habits, customs, foods, and characteristics of the
people in the new culture. The visitor feels comfortable with friends, associates, and the
language of the country.
Some symptoms that usually face by individual (Levine and Adelman 1993) are;
A. Homesickness
B. Inability to work well
C. Too much eating, drinking or sleeping
D. Anger towards the member of a new culture
E. Glorifying the native culture and emphasizing the negative things in new culture
F. Lack of ability to deal with small problem
G. Avoiding contact with the people form the new culture
