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 
