Culture shockMy fears, my rethinks and my challenges...

Happy Road https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KC0BDGUw6w

A shared system of meanings

beliefs values

behaviours through which experience

is interpreted and carried out

Home country Host country Social cues Regression Adaptation Stereotypes Appropriate Inappropriate Entirely

Some Vocabulary:

Preconceptions Ideas before the fact Exaggerations…

Some questions: What is culture shock? What are the stages of culture

shock? How can you cope with it?

Have you ever had culture shock?

PART I.„A fish out of water”

Whenever someone travels overseas they are like „a fish out of water.“Like the fish, we’ve been swimming in our own culture our whole lives. When we suddenly leave the water….

A “sudden exposure to unfamiliar culture.” Culture shock is a normal but unpleasant and negative

experience.

What is culture shock?

What causes culture shock?Information overload – too much new culture, all at once

Role shifting – my normal relationships, job, identity are gone

Personal shock – I’m tired, confused, lost

Language, travel, jet lag, climate, food, clothing, customs, etc.

Culture shock is a reaction to:

SYMPTOMS:Anxiety Grief Desperation Disorientation Resentment Loneliness

Insomnia Lost of appetite or excess eating Headaches, pains Allergies

How many times a day can I listen to the word “ Hello ?”Am I supposed to reply?

Are people being friendly, or just curious?Why do little children stare at me?

Part II. HELLO!

Do I really look that different?

”Social cues”

Signals What do I do? How do things

work?

The foreigner has a feeling of not knowing what to do or how things work in a new environment, and not knowing what is appropriate or inappropriate.

PART III. Stages of culture shock:

There are 4 stages of culture shock.

Honeymoon phase stage

During your first few days or weeks in a new country, everything usually goes fairly smoothly. The newcomer is excited about being in a new place where there are new sights and sounds, new smells and tastes.

I love you

You are perfect!

Rejection phase stage

Avoiding other people

Criticizing the new culture

The newcomer starts to complain about and notice only the bad things that bother them.

At this stage the newcomer either gets stronger and stays, or gets weaker and goes home (physically or

mentally).

Everybody is trying to cheat me!

Rejection Phase:

“Regression” means moving backwards You spend much of your time speaking your

own language, watching movies from your home country, and eating food from home.

You feel nostalgia for the past. I’m homesick!

Regression phase stage

In this stage you become more comfortable with the language.

You also feel more comfortable with the customs of the host country.

No country is that much better than another. Maybe you even prefer some things in the host country to

things at home.

Acceptance phase stage

What's waiting for me upon my arrival to the U.S. ?

PART IV. My culture shock.

FreedomA cold welcome?

Adventures in the Wild West Terror, fear…

Time will tell ... I'm ready for a new experience

PART V. Is there a cure?

Culture shock has positive effects as a learning experience, and in stretching your ability for adaptation.

Use humor

Prepare before you goDo a little research

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Write about it.

“ When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Internet Globalization Speed of

travel

Living in anothercountry opensYour eyes and mind.

It gives the opportunity to change your life entirely.You can redefine yourself

Enjoy the ride!

Enjoy the ride!

Different places, different customs…

Diff

Conclusion.

Reverse culture shock can be very difficult. There is a risk of sickness or emotional problems in many of the phases of culture shock.

Remember to be kind to yourself all the time that you are overseas, and when you get home, give yourself time to adjust.

Be your own best friend. If you do these things you will be a much stronger person.

If you do these things, congratulations, you will be a citizen of the world!

At the end I would wish all to enjoy the ride…

Thanks for watching

„The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began” (Tolkien)

Happy road -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4-vUtNf7s4