Culture
Shock
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Leaving
home and travelling to study in a new country can be
a stressful experience. Even though it may be something
you have planned and prepared for, the extent of the
change and the effects it has on you may take you by
surprise.
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Introduction
If you find that you are surprised by the effects of the change,
it might be helpful to realise that your experience is quite
normal. This applies whatever country you come from, and wherever
you are going to study, even though some cultures are more
similar than others because of geographic, historic, demographic
and other connections.
What is culture shock?
"Culture shock" is a term used to describe the impact
of moving from a familiar culture to one which is unfamiliar.
It is an experience described by people who have travelled
abroad to work, live or study; it can be felt to a certain
extent even when abroad on holiday. It can affect anyone,
including international students. It includes the shock of
a new environment, meeting lots of new people and learning
the ways of a different country. It also includes the shock
of being separated from the important people in your life,
maybe family, friends, colleagues, teachers: people you would
normally talk to at times of uncertainty, people who give
you support and guidance. When familiar sights, sounds, smells
or tastes are no longer there you can miss them very much.
If you are tired and jet-lagged when you arrive small things
can be upsetting and out of all proportion to their real significance.
The following are some of the elements
that contribute to culture shock:
Climate
Many students find that the British climate affects them
a lot. You may be used to a much warmer climate, or you may
just find the greyness and dampness, especially during the
winter months, difficult to get used to.
Food
You may find British food strange. It may taste different,
or be cooked differently, or it may seem bland or heavy compared
to what you are used to. If you are in self-catering accommodation
and unused to cooking for yourself, you may find yourself
relying on "fast" food instead of your usual diet.
Try to find a supplier of familiar food, and eat plenty of
fresh fruit and vegetables.
Language
Constantly listening and speaking in a foreign language is
tiring. If English is not your first language, you may find
that you miss your familiar language which at home would have
been part of your everyday environment. Although you may have
learned English very thoroughly it is possible that the regional
accents you discover when you arrive in the UK make the language
harder to understand than you thought. People may also speak
quickly and you may feel embarrassed to ask them to repeat
what they have said.
Dress
If you come from a warm climate, you may find it uncomfortable
to wear heavy winter clothing. Not all students will find
the style of dress different, but for others people's dress
may seem immodest, unattractive, comical or simply drab.
Social roles
Social behaviours may confuse, surprise or offend you. For
example you may find people appear cold and distant or always
in a hurry. This may be particularly likely in the centre
of large cities. Or you may be surprised to see couples holding
hands and kissing in public. You may find the relationships
between men and women more formal or less formal than you
are used to, as well as differences in same sex social contact
and relationships.
'Rules' of behaviour
As well as the obvious things that hit you immediately when
you arrive, such as sights, sounds, smells and tastes, every
culture has unspoken rules which affect the way people treat
each other. These may be less obvious but sooner or later
you will probably encounter them and once again the effect
may be disorientating. For example there will be differences
in the ways people decide what is important, how tasks are
allocated and how time is observed. The British generally
have a reputation for punctuality. In business and academic
life keeping to time is important. You should always be on
time for lectures, classes, and meetings with academic and
administrative staff. If you are going to be late for a meeting
do try to let whoever you are meeting know. Social life is
a little more complicated. Arranging to meet to see a film
at 8 pm means arriving at 8 pm. But if you are invited to
visit someone's home for dinner at 8 pm, you should probably
aim to arrive at about ten minutes after eight, but not later
than about twenty past. When going to a student party an invitation
for 8 pm probably means any time from 9.30 onwards! These
subtle differences can be difficult to grasp and can contribute
to culture shock.
A model of culture shock
The process of culture shock can be illustrated by a model
known as the "W" curve (see diagram underneath).
This model may not relate to your experience or only partially.
Sometimes the process is faster or slower. Many people go
through different phases of the process of adjustment several
times, so parts of the curve in the diagram may repeat themselves.
For instance, at significant times such as important family
dates or festivals you may feel distressed or lonely, while
at other times you feel quite settled. However, many people
have reported that this model has reflected something of their
experience and they have found it helpful to realise they
are not the only ones to have had the feelings they have.
The process can be broken down into 5 stages:
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 cocooned 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 support ties 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.
Some of the effects of culture shock
Some of the symptoms of culture shock can be worrying themselves.
For example, you may find your health is affected and you
may get headaches or stomach aches or you may start worrying
about your health more than previously. You may find it difficult
to concentrate and as a result find it harder to focus on
your course work. Other people find they become more irritable
or tearful and generally their emotions seem more changeable.
All of these effects can in themselves increase your anxiety.
How to help yourself
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
"this isn't going to happen to me". Culture shock
can hit you whatever culture you come from and however experienced
or well-travelled you are.
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Simply understanding
that this is a normal experience may in itself be helpful.
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Keep in touch with
home. There are several ways you may be able to do this:
for example telephone, letter, fax, email. Several telephone
companies offer greatly reduced charges for international
calls. Check your Student Services, Students' Union or International
Office for information. If you live close enough to travel
home at weekends, it is a good idea not to go home too often
as this will make settling more difficult. Once or twice
a term is probably best. Newspapers and satellite TV will
also be an option for some people, again, see what is available
for international students in your college or university.
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Have familiar things
around you that have personal meaning, such as photographs
or ornaments.
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Find a supplier of
familiar food if you can. Your student adviser may be able
to help and there may be student societies in local communities
that can help. Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
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Take regular exercise.
As well as being good for your health it can be a way of
meeting people.
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Have friends who
are international students, whether from your own culture
or from others, as they will understand what you're feeling
and, if possible, have friends among the local students
so you can learn more about each other's culture.
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Take advantage of
all the help that is offered by your institution. In particular,
the orientation programme offered by most colleges and universities
can be a valuable way of meeting people and finding out
about things that can help you.
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Use the university
or college services, where there will be professional and
experienced staff. For example the health service, the counselling
service, the International Office or hall wardens will provide
a friendly, listening ear. Even if at home you wouldn't
consider such steps, in the UK it is quite normal and they
may help when your familiar helpers are missing. If you
are finding settling down difficult, your personal tutor
probably also needs to know. She or he may be able to help,
particularly with adjusting to a different academic system.
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For some students
linking with a faith community will put you in touch with
a familiar setting, whether it is a church, mosque, synagogue
or temple. Many universities have a chaplaincy in which
several faiths may be represented. There may also be religious
student societies.
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Investigate the Students'
Union and its societies. There may be an opportunity to
learn a new sport or activity or continue an interest from
home. A further advantage is that these societies bring
together students from different courses and countries with
a shared interest. There are often national societies that
will celebrate significant occasions such as Chinese New
Year or Thanksgiving.
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Above all find some
one to talk to who will listen uncritically and with understanding,
rather than isolating yourself.
Ask
UniAdmission 
