Culture Shock

Culture shock can affect anyone, even the well seasoned traveller, so at Bluewave we place a lot of importance on making sure that you understand what to look for and how to cope with culture shock when you first arrive in the UK.

In its simplest form, culture shock is the jolt of being in a new environment, in a new culture, meeting lots of new people and learning the ropes in a new country. But it also includes, being separated from your family and friends, those important elements of your life that provide support and guidance. It is really had to imagine, but familiar sights, sounds, smells or tastes are no longer there you can miss them very much.

If you combine all these elements together with being tired from jet-lag and teaching as well as having to get your head around a whole new school system then you may find that even the smallest thing can be upsetting and be perceived out of proportion to their real significance.

Symptoms

• Sadness, loneliness, melancholy
• Preoccupation with health
• Aches, pains, and allergies
• Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little
• Changes in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless
• Anger, irritability, resentment, unwillingness to interact with others
• Identifying with the old culture or idealizing the old country
• Loss of personal identity
• Trying too hard to absorb everything in the new culture or country
• Unable to solve simple problems
• Lack of confidence
• Feelings of inadequacy or insecurity
• Developing stereotypes about the new culture
• Developing obsessions such as over-cleanliness
• Longing for family
• Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused

The Rollercoaster of Emotions

When you first arrive and as the culture shock takes hold, it will feel like you are experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. To help you understand the different phases you will go through we have summarised what the experts have to say!

1. The "honeymoon" stage

When you first arrive in a new culture, differences are intriguing and you may feel excited, stimulated and curious. At this stage you are still protected by the close memory of your home culture.

2. The "distress" stage

A little later, differences create an impact and you may feel confused, isolated or inadequate as cultural differences intrude and familiar supports (eg family or friends) are not immediately available.

3. "Re-integration" stage

Next you may reject the differences you encounter.

You may feel angry or frustrated, or hostile to the new culture. At this stage you may be conscious mainly of how much you dislike it compared to home. Don't worry, as this is quite a healthy reaction. You are reconnecting with what you value about yourself and your own culture.

4. "Autonomy" stage

Differences and similarities are accepted. You may feel relaxed, confident, more like an old hand as you become more familiar with situations and feel well able to cope with new situations based on your growing experience.

5. "Independence" stage

Differences and similarities are valued and important.

You may feel full of potential and able to trust yourself in all kinds of situations. Most situations become enjoyable and you are able to make choices according to your preferences and values.

How to help yourself through this challenging time?

Though culture shock is normally a temporary phase, it is important to know there are things you can do to help so that some of these worrying effects can be minimised.

Don't feel ŝthis isn't going to happen to me". At Bluewave we can't emphasise enough that culture shock can hit you regardless of what culture you come from or how experienced or well-travelled you are.

• Be patient, the act of immigrating is a process of adaptation to new situations. It is going to take time
• Simply understand that it is normal to experience these emotions.
• Keep in touch with home.
• Have familiar things around you that have personal meaning, such as photographs or ornaments.
• Find a supplier of familiar food if you can. Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
• Take regular exercise. As well as being good for your health it can be a way of meeting people.
• Don't try too hard
• Make friends with school colleagues. Be prepared to take the first step and find activities which will give you a common interest e.g. sports, music or volunteering.
• Establish links with your faith community as this will put you in touch with a familiar setting, whether it is a church, mosque, synagogue or temple.
• Above all find some one to talk to who will listen uncritically and with understanding, rather than isolating yourself.

FINALLY...

It is important to stress that culture shock is entirely normal, usually unavoidable and not a sign that you have made a mistake or that you won't manage.

In fact there are very positive aspects of culture shock. The experience can be a significant learning experience, making you more aware of aspects of your own culture as well as the new culture you have entered. And unquestionably, it will give you valuable skills that will serve you in many ways now and in the future.