Culture Shock

Good morning class. Today I'd like to talk about culture shock. Now, many students think they know what culture shock is, but often they are ₁ by the real meaning of the term "culture shock". For example, I've heard students say, "I know what culture shock is. Culture shock is a kind of ₂ that you get when you travel. You might be surprised by something such as cars with their lights on during the daytime. You might notice that Canadians take off their shoes in their houses or that they usually eat ₃ for lunch."

Well, those aren't really examples of "culture shock". They are what I like to call "cross-cultural surprises". Actually, culture shock is quite different from a "cross-cultural surprise". Culture shock is the feeling of anxiousness and confusion caused when a person tries to ₄ to a new environment. Culture shock also involves a physical and psychological reaction to a new environment. When you live in a new country, it is common to feel sad, ₅ , or disoriented. You might feel very tired or you might have difficulty sleeping. You may have sore muscles and you might even lose your identity and wonder "who am I". All of these types of reactions can be ₆ that you are suffering from "culture shock".

Many people feel that culture shock has stages. The first stage is often called the "honeymoon period". Just like the holiday that newlyweds take after ₇ , you might feel very happy and excited when you arrive in a new country. You look around and are amazed by all of the new things that you see. This happy period can last a short time or it may last for months or even years depending on the individual. Some students have said that they never had a honeymoon period. They were sad from the moment they arrived in the country. Many of them weren't here because they wanted to be here, but because their ₈ sent them here. However, I think most people do have a honeymoon period.

The second stage of culture shock is often called the "transition period". During this period of time you may begin to feel frustrated. You may get ₉ or sad. Typically, people start to think about how easy life was at home. When you look around your new country, you can't believe how crazy people are. Why can't they just be like you? Why can't they speak your language? How can they live in this ₁₀ climate and eat that disgusting food? Everything starts to get on your nerves. If only you were at home.

Later, you will move on to the integration stages and you'll finally become comfortable with the new culture and the new environment. You'll come to ₁₁ that the new environment is different, but you'll start to understand that there are some good things as well as bad things about the culture. Things won't be so difficult for you then. In fact, you might actually start to ₁₂ some parts of the new culture to parts of your own culture. Then, when you return home, you'll probably go through a whole new stage called "reverse culture shock". We'll talk about that tomorrow.

One thing to remember about culture shock is that people experience it in many different ways. Each person adapts to new environments differently and each stage of culture shock can last for ₁₃ periods of time. Before you travel to another country, it might be helpful to do some research on culture shock so that you will be mentally prepared for the emotional and physical reactions that you may have. As well, it may help you to understand the behavior of the other travelers around you. Now, please open your book to chapter 13 and read the group questions entitled "Culture Shock Stages"...