Many people joke about
culture shock, using it to describe situations when they find themselves
feeling different or out of place, but the phenomenon is very real and affects
many people who move overseas. The term describes the multitude of emotions
that a person can experience as they become a part of the culture in their
new home.
Sociologists and
psychologists have studied culture shock extensively and found that it usually
involves four phases:
The Honeymoon Period
This stage occurs initially after the move, and is
marked with excitement and curiosity about the new culture. People going
through culture shock are typically focused upon the things they love
about their new home, such as the food or the local customs.
The Negotiation Phase
The Negotiation Phase sets in once the initial fascination with one's new home fades. This
phase of culture shock is often marked by negative feelings, which can include
frustration, anger, loneliness and being homesick. For some, the feelings can
become very severe and lead to clinical depression. Others find that this phase brings stress at work or home. Although it's a difficult time, it does eventually pass and is a necessary part of adapting to a
new culture.
The Adjustment Phase
This marks the start of a person beginning to adapt
to the new culture. During this time, people begin to view their new country as
their "home" and stop feeling like a visitor and more like a
resident. As a person begins to feel more familiar and oriented, while also having a deeper understanding of the people and culture around them, the negative feelings of the Negotiation Phase
gradually subside.
The Mastery Phase
The Mastery Phase is the end of culture shock. When a person
reaches this phase, they view themselves as a member of the society in which
they live.
How quickly you
progress from phase to phase can vary greatly, but most people find they
have fully recovered from culture shock within one or two of their move. One
way to help mitigate the effects of culture shock is to learn as much
as you can about your destination country prior to your move. As a part of
international moving services, Chess Moving can help you research your new
home. Contact us for more information.