Culture Shock and Traveling Abroad
By: International Studies Abroad
Posted on: Spain, While you're there
During the first stage, the student usually feels positively euphoric. The students are staying in nice hotels, where the food is good and they have all the comforts of home. At this point, the group is visiting museums, palaces, and other places of interest, and the English language serves the students' pressing needs. The tourist sights are intriguing; the local people are courteous and helpful; it is clear that a wonderful experience lies ahead. The students are full of enthusiasm and cannot wait to start their lives with their host families and new university.
Then, suddenly, it hits! The tour is over; there are language troubles, classroom troubles, shopping troubles, perhaps housing, or roommate troubles. All the things about everyday living that were taken for granted at home now become insurmountable problems. The student is probably also annoyed because the attention he/she expects from the local people is strangely lacking. This attitude is interpreted as indifference, or perhaps as an indication that these people are not as friendly after all.
During this second stage, the students band together as fellow foreigners to lament and to criticize the host country and its citizens. Their complaints are based on simple stereotypes which offer an easy rationalization of one's troubles: 'these people have no manners', 'they are rude here', 'they ought to be taught how to get things done in a hurry', and so on. The gripe session becomes a convenient crutch, an easy and uninhibiting atmosphere in which to get a load off the chest. But, it also serves to alienate the students even more from the local people and an understanding of the culture they are there to experience.
The second stage represents the crisis period - if it successfully weathered, the student will be restored to enthusiastic views of the host country, and move into the Third Stage: adaptation. During adaptation the student now begins to understand enough of the language so that his/her isolation is less severe. Little by little the problems of living are worked out, and it becomes apparent that the situation, although difficult, is not absolutely hopeless. He/she begins to look for the reasons behind the behavior he/she sees as different. By doing this he/she has a better understanding of why these people act this way and a better understanding of the culture itself. When the student can begin to joke about his/her plight, he/she is well on the road to adaptation. By now, he/she almost imagines himself/herself to be an authority on the host country, and he/she can bolster his/her ego by explaining aspects of the culture in a knowing fashion.
The fourth stage represents full, or near full, adaptation. By now, if ever, the student will have made a relatively good adjustment to the situation in which he/she finds himself/herself. He/she comes to accept the customs of the country for what they are. From time to time he/she experiences strain in his/her relationships with the locals, but the basic anxiety of not being able to live is gone. He/she realizes that he/she is actually enjoying his/her new experience and that there can be a real exhilaration in an overseas experience. But however perceptive, no one realizes fully the nature of culture shock until they return home to the United States. It is almost embarrassing to realize how many shortcomings the good old USA seems to have and how frustrating and annoying some of our habits can be. Culture shock in reverse is much less serious though, but its surprising how many students upon returning home wish that they were back in the host country.
The difficulties that lead to culture shock are very real. Everything from the climate change, food (which is always different from that which we're used to), and the water (which sometimes contains bacteria unknown to our immunity systems). Another difference is the Spanish business methods (the corner shopkeeper might not open on time), and their concept of time (things that at home were urgent have suddenly lost their importance). Isolation due to language barriers is also a real problem. But eventually, the student adapts to the environment and has a changed attitude, which helps him/her accept and enjoy this experience.
What can be most frightening about the study abroad experience is that the student's self-esteem and security are threatened. But, with time, most students do adjust and see the experience as the great opportunity it is. It is important that the student realizes that the feelings he/she is experiencing are normal, and will eventually subside. In doing this, he/she will be better able to adjust and come away from this experience with a greater understanding of the culture in which he/she is immersed and, more importantly, of himself/herself.
* Please note that students often feel sick while overseas. This is due to the climate change, pollution, etc. This feeling normally does not last more than a few days. Rest assured you will recuperate!
photo by: mailliw
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