How to Prevent Culture Shock
Culture shock involves mental anxiety associated with adjusting to a culture different from your own. The symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on the individual. Some people can adjust more quickly than others. If you’re a new reside in a foreign country, here are some pointers to help you prevent culture shock.
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Instructions
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Learn as much as you can about your new country of residence. Do research regarding the holidays and common traditions. It will help you understand your neighbors, fellow students or co-workers.
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Take the initiative to make new friends. People don’t have to think alike or have the same beliefs to be friends.
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Be determined to avoid comparisons. Don’t expect life in the new country to be the same as in your native country. Make the most of your new situation. Find out how others cope with situations like hot or cold weather and sincerely attempt to enjoy life under different conditions.
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Keep an open mind. Be willing to try new foods. Some foods you’ll like, and others you won’t. Find out which ones you enjoy so that you can have something to talk about on a social level. Attempt to embrace the new culture’s music. The sooner you become familiar with the new culture, the easier it’ll be for you to become part of it.
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Learn the language. Not knowing a country’s language can create a barrier and make you feel isolated. Prevent culture shock by learning common idioms and expressions.
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Resist the desire to judge others because you don’t understand them. Environmental factors impact on a person’s personality and actions. The fact that others are different doesn’t necessarily make them wrong.
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Tips & Warnings
Most people adjust to a new culture after experiencing the following four phases: phase one--fun and excitement; phase two--flight, the desire to avoid everything that they don’t understand; phase three--the urge to judge others; and phase four--the desire to fit in.
Resources
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