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Getting Through it: Culture Shock

© Sara Dellinger

The term culture shock pops up in manuals and handbooks for people planning to spend an extended time abroad. For those of us who have lived abroad for many years, the memories of the first year are often a mix of excitement and frustration, of accomplishments and disappointments. The pain and discomfort (sometime to the point of anguish) felt by a person sent abroad, whether for study or work, is very real. And although it may be considered a personal problem, culture shock can have adverse effects on professional performance. It is also quite common, although individuals may not recognize it, as individuals do not develop identical symptoms.

The term itself has been around for only a few decades, appearing first in 1958, when it was introduced to describe the anxiety that appears in individuals who have moved to a new, or foreign environment. Sufferers describe feelings akin to lack of direction, of not knowing what or how to do even the simplest things, and of not knowing what is appropriate -or inappropriate - in a given situation. These feelings are usually not present at first, but set in after a few weeks in the new environment.

Everything is different in a new culture, and each new encounter with these differences compounds the anxiety one may feel. It's difficult enough not speaking the language, or knowing how to buy a Metro ticket. Add to it the simple things that are suddenly very different: writing a check, opening a bank account, understanding traffic signs, units of measure, and local business hours. Individually, many of these situations would be trivial; the cumulative effect takes on a life of its own. Some say it is like having the floor cave in under your feet.

Would you recognize Culture Shock? Its symptoms have been well categorized, and may appear at any time and in any combination:

• Sadness, loneliness.

• Physical aches and pains, allergies.

• Preoccupation with health.

• Obsessive Compulsive behavior.

• Insomnia, or sleeping too much.

• Depression, feeling vulnerable or powerless.

• Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused.

• Anger, irritability, resentment, unwillingness to interact with others.

• Feelings of inadequacy or insecurity.

• Unable to solve simple problems.

• Lack of confidence.

• Loss of identity.

• Longing for family.

• Trying too hard to absorb the new culture.

• Identifying with or idealizing the old culture or country.

• Developing stereotypes about the new culture. In fact, Culture shock has several stages. Each stage can be ongoing or appear only at certain times. The first stage is called the "honeymoon" stage, as everything encountered is new and exciting.

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