"Migration is so disruptive that it seems to add an entire extra stage on the life cycle for those who must negotiate it (Hernandez & McGoldrick, 2005). Adjusting to a new culture is not a single event, but rather a prologued developmental process (Falicov, 2002) that affects family members differently, depending on their life cycle phase when they are going through the process (p.25). (McGoldrick, M., Giordano, J., & Garcia-Preto, N. (Eds.). (2005). Ethnicity and family therapy (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.)
"Failure to identify cultural issues and take action can lead to culture shock. Often, the symptoms are ignored or simply not recognized."
The term, culture shock, was introduced for the first time in 1958 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 generally sets in after the first few weeks of coming to a new place.
We can describe culture shock as the physical and emotional discomfort one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place different from the place of origin. Often, the way that we lived before is not accepted as or considered as normal in the new place. Everything is different, for example, not speaking the language, not knowing how to use banking machines, not knowing how to use the telephone and so forth.
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 one's life objectives. It is a great opportunity for leaning and acquiring new perspectives. Culture shock can make one develop a better understanding of oneself and stimulate personal creativity.
(http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/CGuanipa/cultshok.htm)
DEFINITIONS
Culture Shock is an emotional and physiological state induced by moving from one culture to another. It is a slowly advancing, nearly unnoticed psychological phenomenon which affects one's whole way of thinking about himself and others. It is stress caused by living in a cultural situation in which the cues are misleading because the learned responses are wrong for the cues or no responses have been learned at all (Loss 1983, 57, 58).
Culture Shock is the discomfort you feel in a new environment when you encounter people and processes that don't fit your understanding. The feeling of threat leads to withdrawal, fear, resentment and even disgust. (Kalb and Welch. Moving Your Family Overseas, 1992)
“the result of being overwhelmed by major life changes to established patterns without usual support systems.” (http://www.travelwithyourkids.com/moving-abroad/?c=Culture-Shock)
STAGES OF CULTURE SHOCK:
Culture shock has many stages. Each stage can be ongoing or appear only at certain times.
First stage:
Incubation/Honeymoon - Everything is new and exciting
Second stage:
Frustration in trying to adapt - Feeling impatient, frustrated, incompetent, angry
Third stage:
The turning point - Gaining understanding, feeling positive or returning home
Fourth stage:
Integration - Recognizing new culture has good and bad things to offer. Sense of belonging.
Fifth stage:
Re-entry shock - Difficulty returning to ones' own culture. Things are no longer the same.
These stages are present at different times and each person has their own way of reacting in the stages of culture shock. As a consequence, some stages will be longer and more difficult than others. Many factors contribute to the duration and effects of culture shock. For example, the individual's state of mental health, type of personality, previous experiences, socio-economic conditions, familiarity with the language, family and/or social support systems, and level of education.
(http://www.culturalsavvy.com/culture_shock.htm)
SYMPTOMS
Negative Results/Effects of unchecked Culture Shock/Stress:
*Depression
*Withdrawal
*Fatigue
*Anger
*Loneliness
*Critical / Blame shifting
*Irritability
*Loss of self-esteem
*Discouragement
*Anxiety, Fear
*Loss of sense of humor
(from the Script of Missionary Internship, Box 457, Farmington, MI 48024)
* Sadness, loneliness, melancholy
* Preoccupation with health
* Aches, pains, and allergies
* Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little
* Changes in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless
* Anger, irritability, resentment, unwillingness to interact with others
* Identifying with the old culture or idealizing the old country
* Loss of identity
* Trying too hard to absorb everything in the new culture or country
* Unable to solve simple problems
* Lack of confidence
* Feelings of inadequacy or insecurity
* Developing stereotypes about the new culture
* Developing obsessions such as over-cleanliness
* Longing for family
* Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused
(http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/CGuanipa/cultshok.htm)
COPING WITH CULTURAL DIFFERENCE
Inevitable Facts of Life Abroad:
frustration, confusion, tension, embarrassment
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms:
*Attack: Increased effort/activity, compensation, reinterpretation, rationalization, compromise
*Blame-assigning
*Attention-diverting
*Flight: repression, regression, daydreaming, withdrawal
Approach: suspicion, fear, prejudice
Results: Alienation, Isolation
Coping Skills:
*Observing
*Listening
*Inquiring
Approach: openness, acceptance, trust
Results: rapport, understanding
(Copyright: Missionary Internship, Box 457, Farmington, Mi 48024)Culture shock/stress is a consistent and severe attack on your self-worth and self-esteem!
Our view of our value or worth (self-esteem) must be based on some assessment other than our own in order to be valid to us in times of testing. In other words, if my assessment of my worth is based on what I think of myself, then Satan will have a heyday tearing it to shreds! So I strive to find my worth (or have my value affirmed) outside myself. I can search for and find that affirmation in many places: in my role, in my work, in my family, from my friends, etc. But because these affirmations are all conditional, my striving will never cease.
I can never feel confident in my worth as long as it is dependent on how I perceive others feel about me or how I feel I am doing. My self-esteem will ride the roller-coaster of my emotions which are subject to every change in my circumstances. Culture stress often brings my emotions to the very depths as my relationships are minimal and my accomplishments non-existent.
I must have an unchanging, positive assessment of my value in order to withstand the storms of life and especially culture stress. There is only one true accurate, unchanging high value assessment of my worth. That is the value God has assigned to me in Jesus Christ.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO SURVIVAL AND THRIVING
*Don't try to change the culture
* Set reasonable expectations
*Don't take your work too seriously
*Remember you are human
*Be flexible
*Forgive yourself and others
*Express your thoughts and feelings
*Look for friendships with host culture people
*Keep some of your own culture
*Stay committed to Joy (Gal. 5:22) and thankfulness (1 Thess. 5:8)
*Reduce stress where possible
*Take courage, someone understands perfectly
(from the Script of Missionary Internship, Box 457, Farmington, MI 48024 - Thank you Zsofi!)
More ways to combat stress produced by culture shock are:
* Develop a hobby
* Don't forget the good things you already have!
* Remember, there are always resources that you can use
* Be patient, the act of immigrating 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.
* Relaxation and meditation are proven to be very positive for people who are passing through periods of stress
* Maintain contact with your ethnic group. 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 the language. Volunteer in community activities that allow you to practice the language that you are learning. This will help you feel less stress about 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.
* Recognize the sorrow of leaving your old country. Accept the new country. Focus your power on getting through the transition.
* Pay attention to relationships with your family and at work. They will serve as support for you in difficult times.
* Establish simple goals and evaluate your progress.
* 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, look for help. There is always someone or some service available to help you. You may want to check out Information and Resources.
(http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/CGuanipa/cultshok.htm)
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