Culture shock
... What is culture shock? Culture shock describes the impact of moving from a familiar culture to one which is unfamiliar. ... It includes the shock of a new environment, meeting lots of new people and learning the ways of a different country. It also includes the shock of being separated from the important people in your life, maybe family, friends, and colleagues. ... The following are some of the elements that contribute to culture shock: v Climate v Food v Language v Dress v Social roles v Rules of behaviour Symptoms The symptoms of cultural shock can appear at different times. Although, one can experience real pain from culture shock, it is also an opportunity for redefining ones life objectives. ... Culture shock can make one develop a better understanding of oneself and stimulate personal creativity. Symptoms: v Sadness, loneliness, melancholy v Preoccupation with health v Aches, pains, and allergies v Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little v Changes in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless v Anger, irritability, resentment, unwillingness to interact with others v Identifying with the old culture or idealizing the old country v Loss of identity v Trying to hard, to absorb everything in a new culture or country v Unable to solve simple problems v Lack of confidence v Feelings of inadequacy or insecurity v Developing stereotypes about the new culture v Developing obsessions such as over-cleanliness v Longing for family v Feeling of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused The causes of culture shock The following are some of the elements that contribute to culture shock: Climate You may be used to a much warmer climate, or may just find the greyness and dampness, especially during the winter months, difficult to get used to.