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What is Culture Shock?
Culture
Shock is a term used to describe the anxiety produced
when a person moves to a completely new environment.
This term expresses the lack of direction, the
feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do
things in a new environment, and not knowing what
is appropriate or inappropriate. The feeling of
culture shock can usually set in after the first
few weeks of arriving in a new country.
Culture
shock can be described as the physical and emotional
discomfort one suffers when living in another
country or place different from his or her place
of origin. Usually, the way that we lived before
is not accepted or considered normal in the new
country. Everything is different, for example,
not speaking the language, not knowing how to
use simple everyday items such as banking machines,
telephones, or knowing how to take a bus.
Learning
the symptoms and knowing ahead of time of how
to prepare and deal with culture shock can make
it a lot easier to overcome. The symptoms of cultural
shock can appear at different times, below are
some of the symptoms you should look out for:
- Insomnia,
or a desire to sleep too much or too little.
- Changes
in your temperament, getting angry easily at
things that usually wouldn't bother you, depression,
feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless.
- You
have a preoccupation with your health.
- You
start having aches, pains, stomachaches, headaches,
or allergies that you usually didn't have.
- Anger,
irritability, resentment, and an unwillingness
to interact with other people.
- A
feeling of sadness or loneliness.
- A
feeling of being lost, overlooked, exploited
or abused.
- Identifying
only with your own culture and comparing Taiwan
negatively to your own country.
- You
wish you were home and have a strong longing
for your family and friends back in your country.
- Unable
to solve simple problems.
- You
are trying too hard to absorb everything in
the new about the culture in Taiwan.
- Feelings
of inadequacy, lack of confidence, insecurity,
loss of identity, not fitting in, and doubting
your ability to succeed.
- You
start developing stereotypes about Taiwan's
culture and the country.
- You
may start developing different obsessions such
as; over-cleanliness.
- You
feel you canât have a normal conversation with
anyone.
- Having
a feeling of helplessness, and thinking you
need help from people in your own country.
- Being
afraid to do new things or go to new places
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Stages
of Culture Shock
Culture
shock also has many stages. Each one of these stages can be
ongoing or only appear at certain times. We have listed the
5 stages of culture shock below. For foreigners who are staying
a shorter period of time in Taiwan you may just experience
the first 2 to 3 stages of culture shock.
Stage 1 ( honeymoon stage) - In this first stage, the
you may feel exhilarated and pleased by all of the new things
encountered. The new things you encounter in Taiwan are new
and exciting at first, everything is wonderful. Even the most
simple things are new and interesting, taking the bus or going
to a restaurant. This exhilarating feeling will probably at
some point change to the next phase.
Stage 2 (disillusionment stage) - Culture shock will
happen gradually, you may encounter some difficulties or simple
differences in your daily routine. For example, communication
problems such as not being understood, food, attitude, and
customs, these things may start to irritate you. At this this
stage, you may have feelings of discontent, impatience, anger,
sadness, and a feeling of incompetence. This happens when
you are trying to adapt to a new culture that is very different
from your own. The change between your old methods and those
of Taiwan is a difficult process and takes time to complete.
During the transition period, you may have some strong feelings
of dissatisfaction and start to compare Taiwan to your new
country in an unfavorable way.
Stage 3 ( understanding stage) - The third stage is
characterized by gaining some understanding of Taiwan's culture,
country, and its' people.ÊYou will get a new feeling of pleasure
and sense of humor may be experienced. You should start to
feel more of a certain psychological balance. During this
stage you won't feel as lost and should begin to have a feeling
of direction. At this point you are more familiar with the
environment and have more of a feeling of wanting to belong.
Stage
4 ( integration stage) - The fourth stage of culture shock
is the integration stage and is usually experienced if you
are staying for a very long period of time in Taiwan. You
will probably realize that Taiwan has good and bad things
to offer you. This integration is period is characterized
by a strong feeling of belonging. You will start to define
yourself and begin establishing goals.
Stage 5 ( re-entry stage) - The final stage of culture
shock occurs when you return to your home country. This stage
of culture shock generally only effects people who have been
in Taiwan for a very long period of time. You may find that
things are no longer the same in your home country. For example,
some of your newly acquired customs are not in use in your
own country.
These
stages are present at different times and you will have your
own way of reacting in each stage. As a result some you may
find some stages can be longer and more difficult than others.
There are many factors contribute to the duration and effects
of culture shock. For example, your state of mental health,
personality, previous experiences, socio-economic conditions,
familiarity with the language, family, and level of education.
How
to Fight Culture Shock
Most
people who come to Taiwan have the ability to positively deal
with the difficulties of a new environment and overcome culture
shock. So if you are thinking about going home or only spending
time with people from your own culture, don't. You have to
realize that you are not alone. Many other foreigners in Taiwan
have experienced what you feel, talk to your friends or other
teachers at your school they can help you feel better. We
have also listed a few ways to fight the stress produced by
culture shock below:
- Develop
a hobby
- Don't
forget the good things you already have!
- Remember,
there are always resources that you can use.
- Be
patient, living in a different country is a process of adaptation
to new situations. It is going to take time.
- Learn
to be constructive. If you encounter an unfavorable environment,
don't put yourself in that position again.
- Be
easy on yourself.
- Don't
try too hard.
- Learn
to include a regular form of physical activity in your routine.
This will help combat the sadness and loneliness in a constructive
manner.
- Exercise,
swim, take an aerobics class, etc. Get physical exercise
and plenty of sleep.
- Relaxation
and meditation are proven to be very positive for people
who are passing through periods of stress.
- Maintain
contact with other foreigners. This will give you a feeling
of belonging and you will reduce your feelings of loneliness
and alienation.
- Maintain
contact with the new culture. Learn Chinese. Volunteer in
community activities that allow you to practice the Chinese
that you are learning. This will help you feel less stressed
about the language and useful at the same time.
- Allow
yourself to feel sad about the things that you have left
behind: your family, your friends,etc.
- Try
to accept Taiwan and focus your power on getting through
the transition.
- Pay
attention to relationships with your friends and colleagues
at work. They will serve as support for you in difficult
times.
- Establish
simple goals and evaluate your progress. Make a few small
decisions and carry them out. This will give you confidence.
- Find
ways to live with the things that don't satisfy you 100%.
- Maintain
confidence in yourself. Follow your ambitions and continue
your plans for the future.
- If
you feel stressed or sad, look for help. Tell friends that
you are sad. Their support will help.
- Find
people to talk to about your feelings and their feelings.
- Make
your living arrangements pleasant, and surround yourself
with familiar photos, your favorite music, or a memento
from home.
- Donât
be afraid to cry, sing, pray or laugh to express your feelings.
Be happy and excited for this opportunity, and don't expect
things to be the same as your home country.
Foreigners who follow this advice cope well with culture shock.
When you survive culture shock, you will find that you have
a fresh outlook on your own culture and its roots, and will
gain new ways of understanding yourself.
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