When people go to live in a foreign country they can experience culture shock What do you understand by this?

What is "culture shock"?

Shock. The word seems to imply an immediate reaction to the exposure to a new culture. But culture shock typically happens over the course of the first few months in your new home. In order to better understandculture shock, we need to understand the context.

Kalervo Oberg was the first anthropologist to speak of "culture shock" in the 1960s. He described ‘culture shock’ as the loss of one’s bearings, a feeling of stress experienced by an individual immersed in a new environment

It is the second phase of the "four seasons of expatriation". The adjustment to culture shock is divided into four phases (the four seasons): honeymoon (happiness), crisis (culture shock), adaptation and maturity.

Culture shock is often experienced as a double uprooting. The foreigner feels like a stranger everywhere. Far from their country of origin, far from their host country, disoriented. But expatriates - almost all- overcome culture shock.

Don’t shy away from introspection

What am I expecting from my time abroad? Why choose to leave now? Is the host country a personal choice or has it been imposed? (for an accompanying spouse, for example). Do you know your new country (culture, language, politics, economy, health system, etc.)? Where can you find the necessary information? Is there anycross-cultural training(for employees who are being sent on an assignment)? Do you like to travel? Have you traveled a lot? On a personal level: are you naturally carefree, worried, positive, pessimistic, cautious? Rather expansive or shy...? It is up to the future expatriate to be as honest as possible. These questions are not as candid as they might seem, the answers have the power to better prepare you foryour life abroad.

«There are as many ways to react to culture shock

as there are personality types. »

Knowing yourself will help you understand thepreparationthat a move abroad will require. If you are rather introverted, it will likely be harder to chat people up whether at work or outside. Therefore, making friends might require you to join groups or make friends online before you arrive or get close to your colleagues or roommates. They can act as an anchor to expand your social circle.

Research, research, research…

It can be really helpful to have as much knowledge as you can about the host country. If you are being sent abroad, perhaps your employer has plannedintercultural training.

If this training is not available, you can look into being coached by a professional in intercultural training and glean additional information about your host country (social networks, blogs, webzines, Internet sites, etc.).

A good knowledge of the country and its culture allows for greaterself-confidenceand serenity. However, while information is reassuring, any excess is harmful. There is no point in overloading a brain that is already busy managing the pre-departure stress.

Observe and observe yourself

An expat does not always have the time - or does not always take the time - to carefully observe their new environment. Indeed, amidst registration, social security, finding a bank, looking for accommodation… an expat does not always have the time to play tourist. Your very first days as an expat will be busy but you canturn this into an opportunity.

Seize every opportunity to gather information, on your way to the social security office take the longest route, for the first few days get breakfast at the nearest café and take public transport even if you have a car. Observe and get acquainted with your new neighborhood, the inhabitants, the shops, the workplace, the university, the school...

It is not about confronting your preconceived ideas with reality. Quite the opposite:the pre-expatriation trainingallows you to better live your new reality. One accepts the new information by accepting not to understand everything, to be different, to feel different, to be perhaps less efficient than one would like..

Reach out, ask for help

Culture shock is a difficult period, it impinges on all spheres of expatriate life and can quickly become overwhelming. But in dealing with culture shock, you should be proactive and act as soon as the firstwarning signs appear.

Talking about your situation and your feelings in a safe space is a very first step. Talking about how you are feeling allows you to take a step back. Ideally, someone in your new environment would help you out, but if you have not made connections just yet, there are other solutions.

• More and more companies and educational institutions are aware of culture shock and have set up support units.
• Your new home could also have mental health facilities you could reach out to.
• On the internet, expat forums and groups can also be instrumental in helping you overcome this period, either by helping you or by pointing you in the right direction.
• And if the situation lasts, do not forget you can get medical help.

While making sure the healthcare system of our new home is important to us pre-move,mental healthis often forgotten. Some countries do have more resources than others in terms of mental health and give more or less consideration to this aspect of health. It is important to gather information as to mental health provision before moving and to prepare solutions accordingly.

You can find comprehensivecountry guidesonline.

Change and the experience of change always bring new questions and dealing with this trouble period can take time. This period - or these periods as culture shock may resurface during theexpatriation- must be welcomed despite the frustration it may cause. Indeed, culture shock plays a central role in the expatriation experience: it helps ask the right questions, learn to be flexible and embrace the unknown and open yourself to the world.

Be patient, accept the bumps along the road and live life to the fullest. You will come out stronger!

What does it mean if someone experiences culture shock?

What are you going to do if you experience culture shock when you go abroad?

Can you experience culture shock in your own country?

Can you give some examples of culture shock that people have experienced?