Culture shock is the emotional and mental reaction to being in a completely new cultural
environment.
This is often a very difficult experience for many people and it consists of several stages of
feelings until someone successfully adapts to being in the new culture.
The “honeymoon” phase of culture shock is usually the first stage that people go through when
surrounded by different cultural values and lifestyles. During this stage, people often have very
positive images of their new cultural surroundings. They tend to view these in an idealistic way
and ignore or minimize problems. Encounters with new people are seen as fascinating and unique. This
phase is usually quite short for most people and quickly gives way to the second stage, called
“the frustration phase”.
During the “frustration phase”, the newcomer begins to experience a more negative view of their
cultural surroundings. The problems of communicating in a new language or the tasting different
foods, for example, are no longer novel. The visitor tends to exaggerate or dwell on problems in
the new culture. There is a definite frustration that things that should be easy are still
difficult. For example, people who may have been enjoyed learning the basics of a language during
the honeymoon phase would now find it a chore to try and communicate with locals in the
frustration phase. Newcomers may feel isolated during this phase and many people will voluntarily
isolate themselves. Depending on one’s outlook and situation, this phase can last days, months,
or even years.
After the frustration phase ends, the adjustment phase begins. This marks the time when newcomers
begin to adapt to the new culture. They begin to accept the differences around them and the
challenges of everyday life. They can appreciate some aspects of the new culture while being
realistic about those they perceived as problems back in the frustration phase. This opens the
door to three possible outcomes – mastery, rejection, or assimilation.
Those newcomers who enter the “mastery phase” have completely adapted to the values and beliefs
of the new culture. They are able to navigate the new culture like a native while at the same
time keeping some of their own original cultural values. Those who choose the “rejection phase”
have decided against integrating in the new culture and do not accept it. They usually choose
to permanently withdraw from the culture through isolation or returning home. Interestingly,
these people usually have the hardest time re-adjusting to their home culture after going back.
Integrators are people who completely adopt the identity of the new culture and give up the
values and beliefs of their home culture.
Culture shock is a very emotional experience for most people and there are many symptoms. A
person going through culture shock may display irritability and angry outbursts at times. Many
experience a bout of depression or lethargy from time to time. If not managed carefully, this
can lead some people to suicide. It is important to recognize these symptoms in newcomers and
understand the reasons for these feelings.