Culture Shock
Symptoms, stages, and solutions
Definition of Culture Shock
• “Culture shock is a kind of homesickness
that results from the stress of living in a new
culture when everything is different: the
language, food, and customs.”
Stages of Culture Shock
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Honeymoon Stage
Confusion/Homesickness/Depression
Becoming Adjusted
Angry Phase
Acceptance of New Culture/Old Culture.
Common Symptoms of
Culture Shock
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Frustration
Mental fatigue
Disorientation
Boredom
Lack of motivation
 Physical problems
< Head aches
< Stomachaches
< Chest pains
< Frequent infection
Obvious differences between
home and life in the US
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Language
Climate
Religion
Food
Education system
Absence of family and close friends
Less Obvious differences
• How students relate to teachers
Critical thinking
Asking questions
Informality/friendliness
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How people make decisions
How people spend free time
How people resolve conflicts
How people express feelings with body
language