Lecture 12
Culture Shock
Adaptation & Re-entry
Culture Shock

The stress or disorientation associated with
adapting to a new culture or unusual context

Causes


Loss of usual cues, signs and signals

Collapse of normal interpersonal interaction

Sense of danger to our personal unity
Stages: Honeymoon, Homesick, Hate, Home
Cycle of Culture Shock
Phase 1:
Tourist phase
(Euphoria)
Phase 4:
Back to Normal Phase
Phase 2:
Crisis phase
(Depression)
Phase 3:
Readjustment phase
(Rebuilding)
Symptoms of Culture Shock

Physiological


Overly concerned with health & cleanliness
Not feeling “well”




Headaches, Tension, Upset stomach, Sleeplessness
Low energy level / Tired
Psychological

Feelings of powerlessness & helplessness

Fear of being cheated or robbed

Fear of injury

Homesickness

Stress, anxiety, loneliness, irritability, frustration, paranoia, disorien
tation, defensiveness
Social

Withdrawal from relationships and conversations

Excessive frustration and complaining

“Local native” bashing

Defensive communication style
U-curve
anticipation
adaptation
shock, disorientation, identity crisis
Re-entering one’s home culture =
repeat U-curve resulting in a “W-curve”
Entry into New Culture
Preliminary
State
Spectator
State
Adaptation
State
Shock
State
Participant
State
Re-entry into Own Culture
Preliminary
State
Spectator
State
Adaptation
State
Shock
State
Participant
State
Stages of W-curve

Preliminary Stage


Spectator Stage



Planning & Packing: Airplane tickets, passport, visa
Many strange sights, new experiences & people
Things happen so fast, everything is a blur
Participant Stage

Sightseeing has ended Normal life begins

Housing, food, shopping, commuting, banking
Stages of W-curve

(con’t)
Shock Stage
 Problems
surface which can’t handle alone
 Tired of strange food; Work quality declines
 Depressed, lethargic, irritable, critical of host country
 Feeling local people are indifferent to one’s struggles

Adaptation Stage
 Reaching
this stage = satisfactory progress
 In-group relationships develop with locals
 Sense of belonging and acceptance develops

Re-entry Stage
 Intercultural
re-entry begins with preparations to return to
home country
Re-entry Shock
Occurs
after you have returned home
More “shocking” because unexpected
You are a different person than when you left

New experiences, understanding, skills, words or
language, style, fashion, interests, opinions
Meanwhile,

life at home has not stopped
People are older, important things happened
People
may not care about your experience
They may feel you are different negatively
They wait for you to get back to “normal”
Common Expectations Upon returning






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Everything will be the same
Everything will be great
I will fit back into life with no problem
I can continue relationships where left off
I have the same needs and goals as before
People will be open minded
People will be interested in my stories
People will recognize and applaud my perso
nal growth
Countering Re-entry Shock




Understand returning involves an adjustment
process similar to going abroad
Ask questions to get “tuned” back in
Research groups that may interest you
Explore places where you might find others
with international experience, or seek foreign
nationals with whom you can speak the
language you’ve learned and continue to
share common experiences you’ve enjoyed
Discussion Questions
Cues and Symbols
 What are some cues/signs/symbols…



that you missed in an intercultural setting?
that you have seen foreigners miss in your culture?
that foreigners need to be aware of in your culture?
Phases of Culture Shock
 When experiencing CS, what are some coping strategies
that you can use?
 Describe your experience of going through CS.
Personal Needs
 When living abroad, what were (or what would be) some
of your personal needs?
 What do you think you just couldn’t live without?
Personality Traits for Success

What personality traits are needed to have a successful stay
abroad? Or, to have a successful return home?