Culture shock is the reaction one experiences when confronted with a new cultural environment. It is a natural part of traveling and everyone should expect to go through some form of it. This page is designed to examine culture shock and consider ways of combating it.

As important to the traveler as the passport, so is a solid disposition towards traveling. This requires certain mental preparations. And while there is little one can do to escape at least some culture shock, taking the time to familiarize yourself aspects of your host culture will help to minimize its effects.


Identifying Culture Shock
Euphoria
Anxiety
Rejection of New Culture
Adjustment

Immunization Against Culture Shock
Prepare, Prepare and Prepare
Knowing the Host Country
International Awareness
Cross Cultural Communication Skills
Keep A Journal
Keep Mentally and Physically Fit
Laugh. A lot
Being Open to the Experience
And If This Doesn’t Work?

Identifying Culture Shock:

There are four recognized states relevant to culture shock:

1. Euphoria: The initial euphoria of culture shock tends to blend in with the highs of planning a trip and starting on an adventure. Like a new love, we tend to overlook some of the host country’s shortcomings and delight in all the new pleasures of being abroad. A 3 hour walk to the market is a quaint representation of how to enjoy the simple things of life. Enjoy this initial state but prepare for the come down.
2. Anxiety: A growing amount of anxiety can develop. A traveler will often feel helplessness. Difficulties of living abroad, such as language barriers, absence of social cues and familiar geographic references can come to the surface. This can develop into frustration, anger and sleeplessness. Not knowing where and when to cross the street or even how to find your way back after finding the market can result in physical discomfort.
3. Rejection of New Culture: That quaint 3-hour walk becomes an unbearable nuisance. You start to judge everything as being ‘wrong’ or ‘backwards’; the host society and your attempts to integrate within the society. Commonly travelers in this stage start to withdraw themselves from the local community preferring to surround themselves with other foreigners. Beware the 3 am impulse to suddenly call a family member or friend back home. Typically, one will start to experience the depth of culture shock about 3 months into the trip.
4. Adjustment: With advanced preparation, time to familiarize yourself with your environment and good coping skills one enters the adjusted stage. At this point you can recognize some of the perceived shortcomings of your host culture without rejecting everything. The 3-hour walk becomes just that, a necessary inconvenience.

Immunization Against Culture Shock

Prepare, Prepare and Prepare

The more prepared mentally and physically you are, the better suited you are to combat culture shock. Try packing the right items from home, being careful not to overwhelm yourself with too many things to carry (or things better suited if purchased in the host country). Bring a photo. Remind friends and family of the importance of writing and keeping in touch. Most of all, it is important to be familiar with as many customs and cultural trends as possible. The more familiar you are with the host country the less strange or shocking it will appear.

Know the Host Country

Being familiar with the cultural and social nuances of a host country is essential. Before traveling to a country, you should try to gain as much knowledge about the country as possible.

The more familiar you are with your host country, the quicker you will be able to adapt. Rather than spending time learning these answers you will be able to put them to practice immediately. Knowing a host country will also better equip you in dealing with cultural shock and better prepared for the difficulties of travel. Having a basic knowledge of the host culture will better prepare you for understanding the environment that surrounds you.

• What are the geographical conditions of the host country?
• What are the weather patterns you will see during your stay?
• What are the spoken languages? Learn some simple!
• What is the current political situation?
• Do foreigners have a bad reputation? Why?
• What is customary dining etiquette? Greeting etiquette?
• What are the norms of male/ female relations?
• Are there certain behavior expectations specific for women?
• What is the cultural perspective on privacy and personal space?
• What is the accepted form of dress? What is appropriate in casual/ formal situations?
• Are there any religious customs that you should be aware of?
• When are the national and local holidays or festivals and their significance?

International Awareness

Having knowledge of the world is crucial while traveling. Before leaving, take time out to explore world news and geography. Knowing a little about a lot will provide the basis for meeting other international travelers and help give you a more global perspective on things.

Cross Cultural Communication Skills

Explore new cultures and communities at home. This will not only serve to teach you about other cultures but will also assist you in developing new communication skills. Consider how it is not to speak (or speak very well) the used language? Consider simple social cues such as non-verbal communication.

Keep A Journal

Many sources recommend keeping a writers’ journal. By starting the journal at the earliest conceptions of your trip, you can remind yourself of the reasons why you have decided to go abroad. A recollection of goals can put some of the traveling hardships into perspective. This can also help you recognize the signs of cultural shock and see it as a series of phases. Once back home, many travelers consider their diary one of their most value mementos of the journey.

Keep Mentally and Physically Fit

Observing a healthy lifestyle is important to combat some of the physical and mental strains of traveling. Try not to cut budget costs by eating fast food all the time. Rather cut costs by cooking for yourself at home. Try to take time out for yourself. Exercise. Read a book.

Laugh. A lot.

Being able to laugh at the situation and at times yourself can be key in dealing with the difficulties of living in a different cultural environment. Just by keeping a smile on your face, many will excuse minor social blunders by recognizing that your intention was not to offend anyone. Laughing at yourself will help keep the stresses down while you acquaint yourself with general social rules.

Being Open to the Experience

Try to recognize culture shock as part of the traveling adventure. By recognizing it, you can see through some of the emotional states that culture shock puts you through and also relieve some stress. Know that given time, you will reach the adjustment stage.

And If This Doesn’t Work?

Don’t give up! You will probably go through a bad spell, but off set it by treating yourself a night out, some comfort food, or a call home.

Recognizing what does and doesn’t work for you is an important part of the adventure. Emerging into a new culture is not for everyone and sometimes it may just be that returning home is the right course of action. If you are still interested in traveling abroad when you arrive back home, try getting involved with the ISC or another International Association and develop your cross cultural skills. It might also help making useful contacts should you choose to go abroad again. Sometimes a successful trip is all about timing.