What is Culture Shock?
Culture shock is a completely normal response that new international students may experience when starting their academic program at Ohio University. Culture shock can impact students in many ways, including loneliness, isolation, and even depression. With this webpage, we are hoping to introduce you to the concept of culture shock, as well as provide some tools for understanding how to navigate this should you or someone you know experience it at Ohio University.
Stages of Culture Shock
Honeymoon
The Honeymoon Stage is the first stage of culture shock, and it can often last for several weeks or even months. This is the euphoric phase when you’re fascinated by all the exciting and different aspects of your new life – from the sights and smells to the pace of life and cultural habits.
During this phase, you’re quick to identify similarities between the new culture and your own, and you find the locals hospitable and friendly. You may even find things that would be a nuisance back home, such as a traffic jam, amusing and charming in your new location.
Frustration or Negotiation
This stage is characterized by frustration and anxiety. This usually hits around the three-month mark, although it can be earlier for some individuals. As the excitement gradually disappears you are continually faced with difficulties or uncomfortable situations that may offend or make you feel disconnected.
The simplest of things may set you off. Maybe you can’t remember the way back to your new home because the street signs are confusing, or you can’t fathom how and what to order in a restaurant.
At this point, you also start to miss your friends and family back home and idealize the life you had there. This is often when physical symptoms can appear and you may experience minor health ailments as a result of the transition.
You may not find the locals so friendly anymore and you express feelings of confusion, discontent, sadness, and even anger.
Adjustment
Students usually enter this stage around six to twelve months. This is the stage where life gradually starts to get better and routine sets in.
You begin to get your bearings and become more familiar with the local way of life, food and customs. By this point you may have made a few friends or learnt some of the languages, helping you to adjust and better understand the local culture.
You may still experience some difficulties at this stage, but you’re now able to handle them in a more rational and measured way.
Adaptation
This stage can sometimes be known as the bicultural stage. You now feel comfortable in your new country and better integrated – you have successfully adapted to your new way of life.
You no longer feel isolated and lonely and are used to your new daily activities and friends. While you may never get back to the heightened euphoria you felt during the honeymoon stage, you’ve now gained a strong sense of belonging and finally feel at home in your new environment.
What can I do if I experience culture shock?
- Stay in touch with family and friends
- Remember you just left your home and your social safety net. It is essential to continue to connect with those you have left as they can be a significant source of support for you as you transition to your academic life at Ohio University.
- Read a book or watch a movie in your home language
- This can remind you of home and can boost your spirits when you are feeling homesick.
- Eat healthy foods, get plenty of exercise, and enough sleep
- Eating lots of veggies, healthy grains and beans, as well as limiting sugar can help to keep your mind and body healthy which can help combat the intense feelings of culture shock. Lack of sleep can make studying and transitioning more difficult. Exercise is easy in Athens, not only do we have lots of hills to walk, we have easy access to a lovely bike path, and bus access to hiking in the woods. The value of taking time to be outside in nature can boost your emotional health and ability to be resilient which is essential to combatting culture shock.
- Join a club or campus org
- A great way to build up a personal support system is to get involved in the social aspects of your campus. Ohio University has over 600 student organizations and you’ll be sure to find at least one group full of people who share your interests. This is an excellent way to make friends with like-minded people, and you will be feeling more at home in no time.
- Hang out with friends
- Take time during International Student Orientation (ISO) to try and meet new friends. Having people you can connect with, who may understand what you are going through, and who are willing to listen can help to process culture shock.
Further Resources
Videos from Columbia University
Cultural Differences in the USA - website that provides information on culture differences in the U.S.