Culture Shock

What is culture shock?
Culture shock is the physical and emotional discomfort one suffers when a person moves to a completely new environment: another country or a place different from the place of origin.

How do I know if I'm experiencing culture shock?
Culture shock is also known as homesickness and it can be identified with the following symptoms:

• Sadness, loneliness, melancholy
• Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little
• Changes in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless
• Anger, irritability, resentment, unwillingness to interact with others
• Loss of identity
• Loss of sense of humor or your humor is not appreciated
• Trying too hard to absorb everything in the new culture or country
• Lack of confidence
• Feeling of inadequacy or insecurity
• Developing stereotypes about the new culture
• Longing for family, extreme homesickness
• Feeling of being discriminated against, new second class status

Below are some ways to combat stress produced by culture shock:

• Develop a hobby.
• Remember, there are always resources that you can use.
• Be patient, the act of immigrating is a process of adaptation to new situations.
• Learn to be constructive. Be easy on yourself.
• Don't try too hard.
• Include a regular form of physical activity in your routine
• Relax and meditate.
• Maintain contact with your ethnic group.
• Maintain contact with the new culture: learn the language, volunteer in community activities.
• Pay attention to relationships with your family and at work.
• Establish simple goals and evaluate your progress.
• Find ways to live with the things that don't satisfy you 100%
• Maintain confidence in yourself.
• Follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the future.
• If you feel stressed, look for help. There is always someone or some service available to help you.

Contact your local Counseling Center:

204 Student Services Building
Allendale, Mi, 49401
331-3266                                   

116 B DeVos in
Grand Rapids, Mi, 49504
331-7596