Dealing with cultural adjustment and culture shock

TEL: 00967 1 270 200

FAX: 00967 1 270 127

P.O. Box 3671

Sana’a – Republic of Yemen

Cultural Adjustment/Shock

Living in another culture, especially while studying, can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. The stresses and strains of cultural adjustment should not, however, be underestimated. It is difficult to assess the degree to which cultural adjustment/shock will affect you in advance, but preparing yourself prior to departure and understanding your reactions as you experience them will aid in successful acclimation. One way to prepare yourself is to understand the stages of cultural adjustment and be able to identify your emotional state according to these adjustment phases.

The Honeymoon Stage:

Shortly after arriving in a new place people may feel giddy and elated. This “honeymoon” stage is characterized by feelings of excitement, exhilaration and anticipation. The new and different things students see around them will be thrilling and fascinating. People in the “honeymoon” stage exhibit an eagerness to please and take an active interest in what they can learn from their new environs. Unfortunately, this eagerness to please and accept their new surroundings may mean that the person does not gain a complete understanding of cultural differences between their own and the new culture, and may be unwilling to ask for assistance. Cultural misunderstandings may accumulate, making the traveler more likely to experience the second, less pleasant stage of cultural adjustment.

The Hostility Stage

The hostility stage is characterized by frustration, anger, anxiety, judgementalism, fear, and often depression. The strains of living in an unfamiliar environment and speaking a non-native language can lead to feelings of isolation. This is a distressing stage that fortunately does not last very long for most people. As new situations are encountered and dealt with, the visitor gains a more complete understanding of his/her environment and the hostility stage gives way to the integration stage.

The Integration/Acceptance Stage

Humor is a sign that a visitor has moved from the hostility stage toward the integration stage. Cultural mistakes that would have caused frustration during the previous stage are more easily laughed off. The visitor begins to feel more functional in his/her new environment. Integration is accomplished by making new friends, finding recreational outlets, accomplishing minor tasks, and being willing to ask questions when something is uncertain.

The Home Stage

This stage occurs when the visitor strikes a balance between retaining his/her own culture and being functional and happy in the new culture. This person has successfully adjusted to the norms and standards of their environment, a valuable, life-enriching skill. Reaching this stage takes time and work on the part of the visitor; there may be many times when it seems unattainable, but perseverance and flexibility ensure success.

There is also the process of reverse culture shock upon leaving Yemen and returning home. Students often feel that this is more difficult than the original adjustment to the foreign culture. One common feature of reverse culture shock is having a hard time fitting into the life you originally had and relating your experience in Yemen to home, including with friends and family. Students change a lot on a study abroad experience, but may not be aware that the place and people they are returning to have also changed while they were away. It is best to talk to a friend who has had a similar experience, and to also recognize how study abroad has made you more independent, knowledgeable on different cultures and languages, and to appreciate the differences in people.