Culture Shock

Culture shock is the difficulty people have adjusting to a new culture that differs markedly from their own. Ιs the feeling of disorientation, loneliness, insecurity or confusion that can occur when someone leaves his or her home country to live in a new culture

The shock of moving to a foreign country often consists of 4 different phases as each person is affected differently, not everyone passes through all these phases and also there are no fixed symptoms ascribed to culture shock.

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The Four Phases

Honeymoon phase

When moving to a new country, an individual might love the new foods, the pace of the life, the people's habits, the buildings and so on. During the first few days or weeks, most people are fascinated by the new culture. They associate with the nationals that speak their language and are polite to the foreigners. This period is full of observations and new discoveries. It called “Honeymoon phase’’ because during this period, the differences between the old and new culture are seen wonderful and new.

Negotiation phase

After some time,(about 3 months) differences between the old and new culture become apparent and may create anxiety. Excitement may eventually give way to unpleasant feelings of frustration and anger.

Language barriers, stark differences in public hygiene, traffic safety, food accessibility and quality may heighten the sense of disconnection from the surroundings.

Still, the most important change in the period is communication: those people who are adjusting to a new culture would feel lonely and homesick because they must get used to the new environment and meet people with whom they are not familiar every day. The language barrier may become a major obstacle in creating new relationships.

Due to the distance of living in a different country without parental support, some students might develop additional symptoms of loneliness and often maybe feel anxious and have a pressure in...