Battling Culture Shock while Studying Abroad
Culture shock is something that is talked about a lot since studying abroad has become a typical college experience for students to have. There are individuals who are so eager to go abroad that they don’t expect to experience culture shock, and there are those who are terrified of how homesick they may get but then they are fine. This process does affect everyone at some point, whether it’s in a certain moment when you’re traveling to another country for a weekend or for the first few weeks while you arrive in your host city.
ASA is here to guide students through culture shock by informing them of the signs, stages and how best to push through it and flourish in their new home!
Definition of Culture Shock: extreme response to an intercultural transition
Typical signs:
Extremely homesick
Feeling helpless/depressed
Disoriented or isolated
Depressed/sad
Hyper-irritated
Having sleeping & eating disturbances
Excessively criticizing host culture
Suffering from hypochondria
Depending on recreational drugs
Excessively drinking
Losing focus/unable to complete tasks
Stages of Culture Shock
#1: Euphoria: intense/complete excitement
Aka when study abroad students are freaking out about how amazing everything and everyone is.
#2: Anxiety & withdrawal
This is the stage where people start to notice the signs of culture shock appearing. Students become irritated at the lifestyle of their host country or act hostile and blame their frustration on the culture rather than the adaptation process. Toughest stage, but it’s a normal reaction to the learning process. Everyone gets anxious and annoyed when they don’t get something right away. It will pass!
#3: Adjustment
Balanced mood
Perspectives & experiences of the host country are objective
Get into a rhythm/schedule
#4: Mastery
You feel like you belong in your host country & you defend the people/place as if it’s your home! The feeling of finally reaching this stage is equivalent to climbing a mountain and getting to the peak. You can see everything much more clearly and realize how far you’ve come and grown since the beginning of the climb.
How to cope with Anxiety & Withdrawal phase
Push through!!!!! You can’t stay indoors watching Netflix for weeks, thinking your unwanted rollercoaster of emotions will come to a stop - you have to buckle in and get on the ride.
The more things you can do out of your comfort zone, the better! You don’t have to do them alone. Find other friends who are curious and nervous to go to new places and try new things!
If you’ve tried pushing through but you’re still feeling really homesick and out of sorts, talk to your ASA Site Director. They are there to support and help you!
Remember: culture shock is a normal respond to being pushed out of your comfort zone. Change is supposed to be uncomfortable, otherwise there would be know growth happening or knowledge being gained.
Don’t forget you aren’t alone, so talk to your friends abroad about your feelings, because they most likely are experiencing it too!