Culture shock
From AcculturationWiki
Contents |
Introduction
When you move to a different country, or even a different area of your own country, you may experience some form of a culture shock. Culture shock refers to the feelings of anxiety, surprise, uncertainty, confusion etc. that you experience when you live in a different cultural or social environment. In your case, this means that you may become stressed or even physically sick because of the way things are going here in Holland. Furthermore, you will probably dislike some aspects of the culture here. Fear not: this is completely normal, almost everyone has a culture shock in some way. Some people are affected in a more serious way than others, of course. On this page, the different symptoms of a culture shock will be discussed. Furthermore, the stages in the order which they usually follow will be discussed. Luckily, we will also talk about how you might deal with a culture shock, if it happens to you! Disliking the food can also account for part of your culture shock! See this video for example:
Symptoms of culture shock
The symptoms of cultural shock can appear at different times. Although you might experience some pain from the culture shock, students usually cope with it better than adults. However, be prepared that even after your studies, the symptoms can come back! Some common symptoms are:
- Sadness
- Loneliness
- Pains
- Insomnia
- Feeling vulnerable or powerless
- Anger
- Identifying with the old culture or idealizing the old country
- Trying too hard to absorb everything in the new culture or country
- Lack of confidence
Stages of culture shock
A typical culture shock has 4 different phases. This is not in general: you may not experience all phases, but maybe only some of them. The phases are:
- Honeymoon Phase - Everything about Breda and Holland will seem new and exciting. You may love the food, bars, pace of life, habits of the Dutch and so on. You will feel euphoric.
- Negotiation Phase - Usually, after a few weeks, the second stage enters in. The differences between your old country and Holland become very apparent, and you may want to go back to the way it was back home. You can get mood swings, feelings of anger, impatience, etc. You are trying to adapt to the new culture. This can be a difficult process and takes time.
- Adjustment Phase - Usually, after 6-12 months, you enter the third phase. You grow accustomed to the Dutch culture, you have a sense of direction. Everything does not feel that new anymore, you are used to the Dutch habits and oddness. Things become normal again.
- Re-entry Shock - If you decide to return to your country of origin, you may experience some of the previous phases again. For example, things are different in your old country than when you left, and you may find that you have changed a bit, too! Maybe you got used to the fast pace of life here in Holland and find that you find the pace of life in your old country a little too slow when you return. Then you may go through the previous stages again.
In the following graph, you see a summary of the different stages:
Outcomes of culture shock
Of course, not everyone passes through the phases fluently, adopting Dutch culture in the adjustment phase. In fact, there are 3 different outcomes that you can have.
- Rejectors - Some people find it impossible to accept Dutch culture and integrate. They isolate themselves from the Dutch environment, which they find hostile. Usually, they stay in groups with people of their own nationality and see return to their own culture as the only way out. However, this group also has the greatest problems re-integrating back home after return. This group usually consists of about 60% of all people who move abroad.
- Adopters - If you integrate fully and adopt everything from the Dutch culture, while losing your own culture, you belong to this group. Usually, this group remains in Holland forever. About 10% of people who move abroad behaves like this.
- Cosmopolitans - Some people manage to adapt the aspects of Dutch culture they see as positive, while keeping some of their own and creating their unique blend. They have no major problems returning home or relocating elsewhere. About 30% of people who move abroad belong to this group.
Coping with culture shock
If you find yourself experiencing a culture shock, then here are some tips that can help you deal with it. Don't forget that if things get too bad for you, do not hesitate to contact a doctor!
- Learn about Holland, its history and its culture. That way, you might understand why the Dutch behave the way they do. A good starting point is already this web site! See the section on Dutch and Western Culture.
- Avoid offense: Don't get offended too easily! Sometimes you may think that Dutch people are offensive to you, for example by not saying please, but keep in mind that in Holland it is very common not to do that, so that they are not trying to offend you. There are many more examples about this phenomenon. If you immediately get offended, it will not make the transition easier for yourself.
- Try to be open-minded about the Dutch culture as well as its unfamiliar aspects.
- Take a 'time out' from cultural exchange in order to reduce the 'shock' of adjustment.
- Be patient, the act of immigrating is a process of adaptation to new situations. It is going to take time.
- Don't try too hard.
- Study Dutch.
