How to Cope with Culture Shock

Culture shock can happen any time a person finds themselves outside of their element. Whether you have moved to the other side of the world, to another state, or simply changed jobs and are working in an environment you aren't use to, culture shock can happen to you.

The first thing anyone experiencing culture shock will notice is a general discomfort, or feeling out of place. Avoiding situations which may make you feel this way is not the answer. Accepting it for what it is, being patient, giving yourself time, and continuing with your daily routine is often all it will take to adjust. For more drastic life changes, there may be more culture shock in store.

Initial excitement about your new environment is quite common and a very positive step. Enjoy it, and use your new found enthusiasm to learn as much as you can about your new location. Find books in the library or cruise the internet. Talk to people and ask questions. Educating yourself will help to prepare you for the future.

The most challenging aspects of culture shock are feelings of frustration, sadness, loneliness and even anger. You may experience only one or all of these feelings, individually or all at once. They can last for very short periods or drag on for weeks. Sometimes only certain situations will trigger them. The important thing to remember is to accept it for what it is and don't let it get the best of you.

Avoiding situations which trigger unhappy feelings may seem like the appropriate thing to do at the time, but in the long run may actually hurt you. For example, the driving style where I live now, as compared to where I originally came from can make one insane. The differences on the road can even be deadly. I know several Americans who are so afraid of driving that they actually refuse to do so, relying on a spouse, friends, or public transportation to get them where they wish to go. Naturally, the negative impact of such choices is added strain on their relationships. But they also begin to become isolated and frustrated with their own inability to explore what is just beyond their own front doors.

To cope with loneliness and isolation, it is important to get out there and interact with others. The first step I took was to frequent a local coffee bar. I did not speak the language, but the employees soon began to recognize me and we began to enjoy communicating by making a game of charades of it. They helped me learn a new word or two every time I visited. They also enjoyed learning words of English, and it was great to have a place to go to see familiar faces. Joining clubs, attending tours, or taking the kids to the public play grounds are all great ways to begin interacting with others outside of work.

Modern technology is another vital source for us to turn to in times of culture shock. We can keep in touch with friends and family, find answers to our questions, keep up with news back home, learn about local customs, practice the local language and find valuable resources.

Anger and frustration are the most difficult aspects to cope with. In order to successfully survive in a foreign environment, it is vital to learn about your host country, the culture and people. Having a good sense of humor is absolutely key, as well as a touch of compassion. For example, it could be infuriating to have someone stare at you as you are simply minding your business and walking across a piazza. However, in my location, it is socially acceptable to stare. Folks are for the most part just curious, and to them, I am obviously a foreigner and they are probably just trying to figure out where I am from. I don't mind it when I remind myself of that fact and am therefore saving myself the frustration.

A couple of final tips to survival in a foreign location are friendliness, curiosity and the ability to laugh at yourself. You'll probably make mistakes or not understand why something is happening to you. Don't take it personally, you are a foreigner and have a different way of doing things. Different isn't always bad. The biggest help I have found to getting along with strangers that I have difficulty communicating with is to smile, be friendly, and ask questions. Smiling is universal. When people see that you are making an effort, especially by asking questions and showing a desire to learn, you are showing them respect and will therefore get the same in return. It is common sense which extends around the globe. Next, learn two of the most important phrases in your chosen host country before even leaving for the airport. Those are "how do you say...", which will help you to learn the language, and "where is the bathroom", for obvious reasons.

Culture shock can be an exhausting experience but it doesn't have to get the best of you. Keep in mind that it is not uncommon to experience a touch of culture shock from time to time, even if you have been living in your host country for years. Remember to keep a sense of humor, be curious, and remind yourself of the things in your host culture that you value and appreciate the most. The results will be a challenging, yet rewarding experience.