Chapter 3-Culture Shock

Chapter 3 1

Culture Shock
Learning Objectives:

By working with this unit, the students will be able to:
• Understand the definition of culture shock and its impact in
communication
• Identify and give some examples of the stages of culture
shock
• Discuss and know how to overcome culture shock

3.1 What Is Culture Shock?

Culture shock is feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or anxiety that
people may experience when moving to a new country or experiencing
new culture or surroundings. This cultural adjustment is normal and is
the result of being in an unfamiliar environment.

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The term was introduced in 1954 by a Canadian anthropologist 2
named Kalervo Oberg to describe the confusion that happens when
visiting a country with different traditions, customs, climate, food, and
language.

In a summary, culture shock is the worried or confused feeling
that some people have when they arrive in a place where the culture is
very different from their own.
3.2 When Is Culture Shock Likely to Occur?

Culture shock can occur when people move to another city or
country, such as when retiring abroad. Culture shock can also occur
when people go on vacation, travel in retirement or for business, or
study abroad for school.

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For example, international students studying abroad for a 3
semester in another country may experience a cultural adjustment due
to an unfamiliarity with the weather, local customs, language, food, and
values.

Although the timing of each person's adjustment process can be
different, there are specific stages that most people go through before
they adjust to their new environment. Culture shock can be quite
stressful and lead to anxiety. However, it's possible to overcome it and
grow as a result.

3.3 The 4 Stages of Culture Shock
People who experience culture shock may go through four phases

that are explained below.

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Four Stages of Culture Shock 4

Stage 1 The Honeymoon Stage

The first stage is commonly referred to as the honeymoon phase.
That's because people are excited to be in their new environment. They
often see it as an adventure. If someone is on a short stay, this initial
excitement may define the entire experience. However, the honeymoon
phase for those on a longer-term move eventually ends, even though
people expect it to last.

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Stage 2 The Frustration Stage 5
People may become increasingly irritated and confused as the

early joy of being in a new environment fade. Fatigue may gradually
set in, which can result from misunderstanding other people's actions,
conversations, and ways of doing things.

As a result, people can feel overwhelmed by a new culture at this
stage, particularly if there is a language barrier. Local habits can also
become increasingly challenging, and previously easy tasks can take
longer to accomplish, leading to exhaustion.

Some of the symptoms of culture shock can include:
Frustration
Irritability
Homesickness
Depression
Feeling lost and out of place

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Fatigue 6
The inability to effectively communicate—interpreting what

others mean and making oneself understood—is usually the major
source of frustration. This stage can be the most difficult period of
cultural adjustment as some people may feel the need to withdraw.

For example

International students adjusting to life in the United States during
study abroad programs can feel angry and anxious, leading to
withdrawal from new friends. During this stage, some people have
eating and sleeping problems and may expect to return home early.

Stage 3 Adaptation Stage

The adaptation stage is often slow as people feel more at home in
their new surroundings. The feelings from the frustration stage begin
to lessen as people adjust to their new environment. Although they may
still not understand certain cultural cues, people will become more
familiar—at least to the point that interpreting them becomes much
easier.

After spending some more time in the new location, your
frustration fades and you begin to feel at comfort with the new
environment and culture. The city becomes easier to navigate, friends
and communities become more accessible, and the language becomes
more understandable.

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For example 7
“When I arrived here, it was snowing! It was so cold that my nose
started bleeding. The weather was very new to me. In Vietnam, it is
usually very hot. However, my body started to adapt pretty fast. Now I
am quite used to this weather,” said, a recent ITMO graduate.
Stage 4 The Acceptance Stage
During the acceptance stage, people are better able to experience
and enjoy their new home. Typically, beliefs and attitudes toward their
new surroundings improve, leading to increased self-confidence and a
return of their sense of humor.
The final stage has been reached after months of trying to fight
the previous stages. Acceptance is the realization that a complete
understanding of the new culture is not required in order to succeed and
survive. What matters is finding the right balance between one's new
surroundings and one's own cultural beliefs.
For example
“Life as an international student has its advantages and
disadvantages. At first, it was challenging, but now I am comfortable
with my new life. I like meeting people from other cultures and learning
about their countries,” said, a recent ITMO graduate.

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3.4 How to Overcome Culture Shock? 8

Time and habit help deal with culture shock, but individuals can
minimize the impact and speed the recovery from culture shock.

1) Be open-minded and learn about the new country or culture to
understand the reasons for cultural differences. Be ready to
learn new ways of living. Accept invitations to events, eat
strange food, and hang out with locals.

2) Write a journal of your experience, including the positive
aspects of the new culture.

3) Don't seal yourself off—be active and socialize with the locals.
4) Be honest, in a judicious way, about feeling disoriented and

confused. Ask for advice and help.
5) Talk about and share your cultural background—

communication runs both ways
6) Find something that you love: whether it's painting or

wandering aimlessly in a park, make sure to save some of your
time to do what you love. It will massively help you to settle
down quickly.

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Let’s Practice 9

Exercise 1 Discuss with your classmates on the following items and
complete the exercise

In My Culture It’s Normal
In my country it is normal/polite/impolite/rude/strange:
1. To shake hands when we meet someone for the first time.
2. To kiss on both cheeks when we greet or say goodbye to a
friend
3. To take someone out to dinner (pay for dinner) for his birthday
or when he gets a promotion
4. To be a little late to meet friends
5. To be a little minute late to work or to business meetings
6. To spit in public
7. To call most people by their first names
8. To ask people their background or nationality when you meet
them for the first time
9. To sing in public
10. For women in the family to make important decisions like
which school to send children to, how to spend
money, etc…
11. For men to cook, clean or do another household work
12. To interrupt people when talking

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13. To invite people to your home 10
14. To ask guests to leave when it gets late or if you are busy
15. To serve guests only drinks and chips or small snacks
16. To disagree with older people or people who are more
powerful than you
17. To give up your seat for older people or women
Exercise 2 Have you experience any culture shock? Explain and
give some examples to support your answer

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Exercise 3 11

TRUE OR FALSE

1)…………. Culture shock is the feelings of uncertainty or anxiety
that people may experience when they relocate to a new country or
environment.

2)………… When people move to a new city or country, go on
vacation, travel abroad, or study abroad, they may experience culture
shock.

3)………… Culture shock is classified into two stages: honeymoon
and acceptance.

4)…………The symptoms of culture shock can include:

frustration and unhappiness.

5)…………. “This is the best decision I’ve ever made! England is
great and everything is really well organized!” This is the viewpoint
of people in their adjustment stage.

6)………….. “Why do people use passive-aggressive notes instead of
talking to each other?” This is the viewpoint of people in their
frustration stage.

7)…………. People can slowly become at comfortable in their new
surroundings as they make new friends and learn the local customs,
leading to an appreciation for the culture.

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Further reading 12

Bennett, M. J. (1998). Intercultural communication: A current perspective. Basic concepts of
intercultural communication: Selected readings, 1, 1-34.

Brown, L., & Holloway, I. (2008). The initial stage of the international sojourn:
excitement or culture shock? British Journal of Guidance &
Counselling, 36(1), 33-49.

Dutton, E. (2011). The culture shock of St Patrick. Estudios Irlandeses, (6), 125-131.

Websites

https://www.tesol.org/docs/default-source/new-resource-library/culture-shock.pdf?sfvrsn=a40109dc_0
https://news.itmo.ru/en/news/12891/
https://renewaljournal.com/2016/10/05/5-stages-of-culture-shock/
https://college.adelaide.edu.au/blog/5-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-deal-with-them/
https://www.onestopenglish.com/download?ac=16215
https://www.idp.com/india/living-abroad/how-to-overcome-culture-shock-while-studying-abroad/
https://blogs.baylor.edu/missions/2019/03/29/culture-shock/

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