The Cultural Shock That Students Face When They Study Abroad

People in different countries follow different traditions and their cultures are unique to their heritage. Hence, the cultural practices in a new country are quite different from those you experience in your home country. As a student who’s recently moved to a new country to pursue higher education, you may be facing some cultural shocks due to exposure to a new and unique culture. Read on to know more about why this happens and how you can deal with it.

What is cultural shock?

Cultural shock is the uneasiness you experience when you see new cultural practices around you. You get a sense of disorientation as you cannot identify or accept these practices, mainly because they are so different from the ones you are used to seeing around you. Culture shock happens when you see practices related to values, religious celebrations, behaviour, relationships and customs in the new country.

Stages of cultural shock

There are mainly four stages of cultural shock that you experience as a new student. They are:

1. Honeymoon phase: The initial days in a new country seem fabulous and you enjoy everything you see and do. You are fascinated by the new cultures and they mesmerise you more than they shock you!
2. Dissatisfaction: However, soon you get into a routine and get a reality check. You start missing home and compare everything to the practices back home. This is where you experience the highest amount of culture shock and it gets very frustrating.
3. Adaptation: With time, the shock element decreases and you get used to the practices around you. You also learn to accept and adjust to new circumstances and this makes life easier.
4. Acceptance: Gradually, you become a part of the change and accept the new traditions and cultures with open arms and this brings you acceptance and peace.

By the time you reach the final phase, you will be more at ease and will be more welcoming towards the cultural practices around you, thereby reducing the instances of culture shock to a large extent.

Causes of cultural shock:

1. Values: The main reason for a culture shock is the difference in values. A youngster who has grown up in India and given a lot of importance to respecting elders finds it shocking when he sees his peers in the new country treating their parents differently. It also extends to religious values and often gets confusing and frustrating.
2. Relationships: The Western approach to relationships is very different from those practised in India. From familial relationships to romantic relationships, from relationships between teachers and students to work relationships, everything seems more casual and dissimilar to what you may have experienced back home. Adjusting to the new traditions therefore takes time.

Work your way around these triggers and learn to embrace the change as this will help you to deal with the culture shock you frequently experience.

Coping with culture shock

1. Do some research: Being prepared helps. So, before you leave for your destination, read up about their cultures and traditions and be mentally prepared for the changes you are about to encounter.
2. Be open-minded: You have to be open-minded! Tell yourself that the cultural practices in the new country are fine and you need not be judgemental about them. Accept what’s happening around you, while respecting your personal boundaries and you will be fine.
3. Keep your eyes on the goal: Always remember why you chose to live in the new country. Keep your eyes on the target and remind yourself that this is a temporary phase of your life and you will be in a better situation soon.

Conclusion

It is not uncommon to experience culture shock and most people experience it at some point or other. Keep all the points mentioned above in mind and you will surely overcome these challenges and enjoy your stay in the new country to the fullest.