Culture Shock

Virtually all international students experience culture shock, some to a greater degree than others. The fast-paced lifestyle in this country may overwhelm your friend. American food and customs may seem very strange. Even getting used to a new climate may be a difficult adjustment.

To add to that frustration, the English the student hears being spoken here may be quite different from the classroom English he or she studied back home, or it may be spoken in an accent difficult for the student to understand.

Loneliness is another common problem, since the student has probably left behind family and friends, perhaps for the first time. (Family ties in other cultures are often much stronger than they are here.) It is also not uncommon to experience homesickness and discouragement.

What To Expect First

Anyone exposed to a new and different culture will experience some degree of culture shock. Upon arriving many international students experience a “honeymoon” period where everything seems new and exciting. Once that passes though, a sense of discomfort and unease can settle in. Some of the common symptoms of this phase include:

• frustration
• irritability
• boredom
• criticism
• withdrawal and/or only spending time with fellow countrymen
• inability to concentrate
• excessive or compulsive eating or drinking.

Knowing the symptoms can help you recognize them quickly and respond to the feelings without allowing them to overwhelm you. It will require effort because you won’t feel like pushing yourself, but you can significantly shorten the amount of time that you experience these negative symptoms by responding proactively.

People experience culture shock because of mismatched cultural cues and expectations. Unfortunately, when these cues collide, hostility and confusion ensue. Going into your American experience with an open mind will help you see the similarities and differences without judging them. You can experience something as different without labeling it as inferior, and respect the new culture without denying your own. If you can’t maintain an open mind and never invest any effort, you can expect to experience culture shock throughout your stay in the U.S.

How To Prepare

While preparing yourself ahead of time can help you deal with culture shock, you cannot completely avoid going through it at some level. Living and working conditions as well as the pace of life will all seem totally unlike your familiar world, but the more you know about the politics, economics and culture of your destination, the more you can learn about what to expect when you arrive.

Before you ever leave home, study up on the area you will call home when you get to the United States. The more you know about the environment you will go into, the more you will adapt to and appreciate it when you arrive. Learn about unspoken rules and expectations, social manners and current affairs. Talk to any one you know who has studied in the U.S. and ask them about their experience.

Most importantly, go into your adventure with an open mind. Put aside any stereotypes or preconceptions you already have. People experience culture shock because of mismatched cultural cues and expectations. When these cues collide, hostility and confusion ensue. Notice similarities and differences without judging them and realize that you can experience something as different without labeling it as inferior. Respect the new culture without denying your own. If you can’t maintain an open mind and never invest any effort, you can expect to experience culture shock throughout your stay in the U.S.