The curve of culture shock

In one of our modules called “Get Finternational” the time of reflection began. During this course our teacher was talking about culture shock which I personally found extremely interesting as our teacher explained that culture shock is a natural learning process in which we adapt to other cultures. She told us about the culture shock curve which describes the phases we can go through when being in a foreign country. We learnt that the curve usually begins with the “Honeymoon phase” when everything seems new and exciting and you are really looking forward to your time in this foreign country. But soon this phase is followed by the “rejection phase” when people get frustrated about the differences between the home country and the foreign country. The third phase is called “recession phase” where people start feeling lonely and depressed which is also known as homesickness. Once adaptations and strategies are found out to cope with all the differences, you move into the “recovery phase” when everything starts to get better again and you begin to like the new culture and in order to this don’t want to go home anymore. During this phase you normally have made new friends and new habits have got somehow part of your daily routine. In addition to the curve, we also had a look on the different areas you have to adapt when staying in a new culture of country such as physical, emotional, communication and social adaptations. I personally find the communication area the most difficult to adapt to as it is completely different from where I am from. Unless at home, people won’t greet you on the street or in a shop, they could probably just nod or say nothing. I have learnt that this must not be interpreted as being a term of being impolite but rather accepting it as a different behaviour.

Even though I had been away for several times and had to cope with homesickness when I spent 3 months in Ireland for a practical training, my feelings of culture shock haven’t felt that strongly this time.

culture shock curve: http://international.missouristate.edu/assets/studyaway/W-Curve_Re-Entry_Shock.jpg