PDF 2 Culture Shock, Homesickness and Adaptation to a Foreign Culture Adrian Furnham
As a result, navigation of surroundings gets easier, friends are made, and everything becomes more comfortable. Culture shock refers to feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or anxiety that people may experience when moving to a new country or experiencing a new culture or surroundings. This cultural adjustment is normal and is the result of being in an unfamiliar environment. Culture shock and being homesick is normal – all students experience a period of adjustment during the first weeks and months of school. Be patient with yourself and understand that it is a process. You will be excited and intrigued about cultural differences, but there will also be times where you are frustrated or confused.
If you are keeping busy and being productive, you have less time to sit around and feel lonely or homesick. If you used to enjoy https://plumavolatil.com/bosnian-women/ going for a morning walk to get coffee, ask around to see if there is a nice park nearby to continue your routine.
- Much of what we experienced resembles the stages of expat relocation adjustment.
- Culture shock is defined as experiencing confusion or anxiety when exposed to a new culture, usually without proper preparation.
- For that reason, the “shock” is deceptively gradual.
- Try to incorporate your new perspective into your old home — find cultural outlets that you hadn’t tried out before, learn a new hobby or take a day to be a tourist in your own town.
The good news, though, is that there are several strategies to diminish the severity and manage the symptoms. Staying connected with family members and friends back in your home country is easier than ever thanks to video calls, messaging apps, and social media. This can be a big help to feel connected back home.
Talk to others about how you’re feeling
Physical activity may be the last thing you want to do when you’re feeling down, but it is worth a try. Anything that moves your body and gets your blood flowing can release endorphins, clear your mind and make a huge difference in your https://gardeniaweddingcinema.com/dating-sites-reviews/asiancharm/ mood. Stay in touch with friends you made while abroad.
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It’s important to find a person you can trust who can help you talk through your thoughts. Culture shock is a normal part of study abroad, and it shows that your daughter or son https://bestbreed.tw/sri-lankan-women/ is experiencing the differences between American culture and that of the host country. Once in the U.S. participants face an adjustment period referred to as “culture shock.” Moving to the U.S.can be a very stressful experience.
Knowledge-based strategies for managing culture shock
“Having that strong foundation of what I built through freshman year, I was able to get out of my comfort zone more and meet new people and join more clubs,” Nguyen said. “Once I realized that I didn’t really miss home, I just missed being where I was most comfortable, I used that knowledge moving forward. And I was like, okay, I was just really vulnerable and uncomfortable with being in a new situation, but I didn’t really miss home itself,” Nguyen said. Don’t forget to include new things to your routine if they make you happy. When we moved to our English town, I discovered a love for visiting the Saturday local market. Now we walk into town every Saturday we can and I’ve connected with some of the regular market vendors who recognize me . One of the hardest parts of living abroad is seeing what you miss back home on social media.
In due time, you will gain a more balanced perspective and realize the strengths and weaknesses of both cultures without being so critical. Culture shock or adjustment occurs when someone is cut off from familiar surroundings and culture after moving or traveling to a new environment. Culture shock can lead to a flurry of emotions, including excitement, anxiety, confusion, and uncertainty. The inability to effectively communicate—interpreting what others mean and making oneself understood—is usually the prime source of frustration.
After establishing a greater familiarity with your new city and a comforting routine with your new home, the natural next step is staying in touch with your roots. The time difference between Italy and the US can make schedules differ greatly, but doing a few simple actions can still maintain meaningful relationships. I have found that setting a certain day to do essential chores such as grocery shopping, laundry, and cleaning has helped my daily life feel more organized and structured. When I was first getting settled, it was overwhelming to remember what I needed to do and when to prioritize my tasks. Now, I am able to wake up and know the things I could do that day to make my week flow more smoothly. Self-care is often emphasized among students, and doing that during a study abroad experience is no exception. It can sound cliche to “focus on self-care,” but it truly works.
Simply focus on your breathing for a few moments. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and think about five things in your life that you are grateful for. This quick exercise can help stop any negative thought spirals in your mind and get you back on track.
I’m your host Anya Cherrice, Founder of Homesickness Culture, former expat and lifelong immigrant and infrequent digital nomad. This is a totally normal reaction because you are still adjusting yourself to something that’s outside of your everyday norm. It is equally important to continue to remain active during times of increased stress. Remember to get out of your residence regularly by going on walks, visiting places around town, and attending campus events of interest. Remember that you have gone through stressful times before and survived.
Exploring new hobbies or joining a student club on campus, especially those that encourage socializing and meeting new people, can help you overcome culture shock. Try not to compare yourself to others when learning how to deal with culture shock, especially if they are American or have spent a significant time in the U.S. already.
John, who is currently studying abroad in London, is familiar with leaving the country for extended periods of time. Having already studied in Amsterdam and heading to Japan in just two weeks, her passion for travel is evident, but the lingering feelings of homesickness never seem to fully go away. Even after being in Amsterdam for about four months, John went through bouts of depression for two weeks after she arrived in London. Frustration may be the most difficult stage of culture shock and is probably familiar to anyone who has lived abroad or who travels frequently. At this stage, the fatigue of not understanding gestures, signs and the language sets in and miscommunications may be happening frequently. Small things — losing keys, missing the bus or not being able easily order food in a restaurant — may trigger frustration. And while frustration comes and goes, it’s a natural reaction for people spending extended time in new countries.