Dealing with Culture Shock - Research Paper Example

 Dealing with Culture Shock Introduction Many people get excited when they are to travel to a different country or when they are to migrate from their native country to another. Bayraktaroglu (2002) argues that the excitement, which comes with it, is natural because traveling or living in a different country offers an individual the opportunity to discover more of the world’s wonders such as different people cultures and sceneries just to name but a few. Nevertheless, as the new world is discovered, many challenges are met. One such challenge is the intercultural experience, which many people who travel or live in a different nation attest as having caused a lot of stress and disorientation with a majority experiencing some degree of culture shock according to Marx (2001). However, it is imperative for anyone who plans to travel or live in a different country to understand that they may experience some level of culture shock in those countries due to unfamiliarity with the cultural aspects of that country. This calls for better understanding of better ways of dealing with culture shock. This paper will explore the most appropriate ways of dealing with culture shock. Bayraktaroglu (2002) argues that culture is one of the most valuable tools that people use for survival. Broadly speaking, culture refers to the shared beliefs and values of a particular set of persons. Aspects of culture inlude language, attitudes, religion, race, beliefs, way of life, food, music, thoughts, and social habits among others. Research indicates that a majority of people tends to cling to their cultures since to them; culture is a valuable tool for survival (Marx, 2001). As such, they are not always willing to leave it for a different culture. Such people are said to suffer the effects of culture shock the most. In addition, such people also find adjusting to a different culture extremely hard due the differences in beliefs values and the way of life. Oberg (2012) defines culture shock as the reaction that occurs when an individual enters an unfamiliar culture usually causing disorientation and nervousness. As earlier mentioned, culture shock occurs mainly due to differences in cultural beliefs, values and the way of life. It is true that a majority of people who travel or live in different countries have experienced culture shock. However, to some, such experience causes a lot of enthusiasm to the extent that they do not feel the shock at all. Nonetheless, Marx (2001) notes that a majority of those who travel to a different country tend to experience the negative effects of culture shock. The effects may include homesickness, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, frustration, and feeling of being isolated from others because of misunderstanding. Such feelings are not good for an individual at all because as much as they are psychological in nature, they have the potential impacting on the health of an individual. However, it is acknowledged that, some of the cultural aspects may be the same in some countries as much as others may be different (Bayraktaroglu, 2002). For instance, a U.S. citizen who travels to Tel Aviv, Israel may find life in Israel quite peculiar. The cultural elements that may be different between these two countries may include food, clothing, language, style of work, schools, weather pattern, and housing just to name but a few (Marx, 2001). Therefore, it is true that a U.S. citizen who travels to Israel will most likely experience some level of culture shock. The same may happen to an American citizen who travels to other countries such as China, Spain, and India, whose cultures differs significantly from those of the U.S. Solving Culture shock Dealing with culture shock may be easy o some people but difficult to others. However, knowing what to do and taking the right step can certainly help in solving culture shock of whatever kind (Marx, 2001). As earlier stated, a majority of people tend to experience culture shock when they land in a foreign country with unfamiliar culture. The first effect of culture shock that manifests in a majority of people who travel abroad is the feeling of loneliness especially for having left friends and families back home (Oberg, 2012). This, in turn, makes such individuals begin developing homesickness resulting in isolation from the rest. As they isolate themselves from the natives of that country, they begin to look down upon such cultures as being inferior from theirs. However, Marx (2001) argues that drawing such conclusions is not wise since it does not help one adapt to the culture of the native citizens. As such, Marx (2001) advises that people experiencing such form of culture shock should stay peaceful, watch and learn the culture. Experts argue that doing this will enable persons experiencing culture shock understand more about the culture, which will in turn enable them adapt well to the new culture. Oberg (2012) argues that, once the culture is adapted, the difficulties would disappear, and the individual would be able to mix well with the natives of that country since they would have adapted to their way of life. Culture shock is real and as such, Oberg (2012) advises people to prepare for it in advanced by trying to understand what to expect in such a different place. It is reported that understanding the cultural aspect of different people in advance enables an individual to make efforts to begin learning the culture from home before daring to move to the new place (Oberg, 2012). This helps boost the confidence of such individuals, which ultimately makes them become comfortable ones they land in the new place. This is because culture shock is mainly magnified when one is surprised to find that the culture is very different. As such, before an individual can move to say, Tel Aviv in Israel, it is advisable to conduct research pertaining to life in Israel and cultural aspects of the people of Israel. This includes research on the language, food, climate, ethnicity, housing, working style, schools and beliefs just to name but a few. The good thing is that such information can easily be accessed through the Internet, which almost everyone in the modern world an access. Other research materials that may be used to understand the culture of a people include books, journals, newspapers, digital media, and articles according to Oberg (2012). Understanding the culture in details also helps a great deal in coping with the culture shock in a foreign place (Marx, 2001). As a result, the other best way of learning the culture of a new place is by going out and exploring the life in the outside environment. This involves making new friends with the foreigners, walking around in the new place and exploring their way of life. This can also be done by moving to quiet places such as parks, which offers a conducive environment for one to watch how people of the unfamiliar culture interact (Oberg, 2012). Certainly one can learn a lot by observing and practicing other people’s way of life. By learning the different cultural aspects in such a manner, a foreigner can easily adapt to the culture and probably become part of it in the long run. Language barriers are one of the common forms of culture shock that a majority of those who travel to new places have to encounter. Ward, Bochner, and Furnham (2001) argue that one of the most frustrating things to many people is not being able to understand other people’s language or failure of being understood by others. This is because for an individual to be able to socialize with others, they must be able to communicate effectively by others. This implies that it would be very difficult for an individual to socialize or go about his or her business if there is a language barrier. Therefore, it is advisable for anybody who travels to a foreign place to put all their effort in trying to learn the language of the native people upon arrival in the new place so as to ensure that they are comfortable communicating in the foreign language. Marx (2001) argues that for one to learn the dialect of natives in a foreign land, it is important that they identify a school within the locality that teaches people drawn from different cultural backgrounds. This is because such schools mainly specialize in cultural studies and language in particular, which would give one the opportunity to learn the language of the other unfamiliar culture. Nevertheless, it may also happen that such schools are not available within the locality where the foreigner resides. In such a situation, people are advised to take advantage of the community centers or library materials or websites pertaining to the language in question (Ward, Bochner, and Furnham, 2001). This is because the materials may offer a good means of learning the language of the native people of the new place. Even after learning the language, it is imperative to practice the language quite often so as to familiarize with it well and eliminated chances of forgetting. Accepting experiencing culture shock is said to the beginning of identifying the best way of dealing with it. It is advisable for those experiencing culture shock not to prefer dealing with it alone, rather engage friend and family members who might have undergone the same experience in the past. Sharing experience with friends and family members who had experienced culture shock in the past will offer the best solution of how they managed to adapt to it. This certainly will help an individual on how to cope with culture shock (Marx, 2001). Research also indicates that many people prefer being lonely when experiencing culture shock (Oberg, 2012). However, experts say that loneliness on magnifies the effect on an individual and does not in any way help in dealing with the shock. As such, those who move to different places with unfamiliar culture are advised to try hanging out with a friend from the new place. This can be done by organizing events such as games like football matches, volleyball, netball, athletics or attending movies together. This helps the person and his friends relieve themselves of pressure of the day. In addition, sporting events would offer an excellent opportunity for an individual to learn more from the foreign friend as far as their culture is concerned. Ward, Bochner, and Furnham (2001) argue that appreciating the new culture is also a good strategy of overcoming the shock brought about by cultural differences. As a result, it is advisable for one to focus mainly on the things they like about the new culture, rather than the negatives. This is because focusing on the negatives only makes life hard in a foreign country. Focusing on the positive aspects of a different culture promotes learning and mitigates the effects of culture shock. Research indicates that those who focus on the positive side of a different culture tend to adapt fast to the culture than those who focus on the negative aspects (Ward, Bochner, and Furnham, 2001). In fact, some people end up adapting to a different culture to the extent that they forget or develop a dislike of their original home culture. For instance, an American national who migrates to China may find life unbearable at the beginning of their stay due to the kind of foods that the natives eat. It is an acknowledged fact that no one can survive without food. Ward, Bochner, and Furnham (2001) argue that this calls for the appreciation of culture shock that is related to the type of food and appreciating the food. This way, the individual will start eating the new foods and adapt favorably to the new culture in the long run. Teasing and stereotyping is one of the most common forms of culture shock that an individual may experience in a different culture (Schmidt, 2012). Therefore, it is imperative for people who travel or live in a foreign place or country to understand how to manage and adapt to the new cultural setting according to Schmidt (2012). For instance, a person’s accent may be quite different from those of the residents of the new place thereby creating communication barrier. This in most cases may form the basis of jokes and stereotype from the indigenous residents. The type of clothing may also happen to be quite different from those worn back at home, hence causing disomfort. In addition, an individual may be stereotyped as being a terrorist based on his or her country or origin. All this forms of teasing are hurtful and calls for a proper way of management. In such a situation, it is Schmidt (2012) advises foreigners been teased or stereotyped to what away and avoid engaging in an exchange of words or fight. Walking away would make the bully feel that whatever they are doing are not bothersome. It is also advised that the person being teased to seek help and interpretation from a family member or a friend in regard to the bully’s ideas. It is also advisable to have a better understanding of the feeling of the local people and avoid engaging in things likely to be considered offensive behavior by the local people (Wanning, 1991). It is important to understand that not everything that is considered moral in the U.S. is moral in other parts of the world. Therefore, it is imperative for one to ensure that what they do are in accordance with the cultures of the local people so as not to provoke the other culture according to Wanning (1991). For instance, photography taken in the foreign culture must be respectful to the culture of those people. To avoid engaging in any offensive acts, which may be offensive to the new culture, an individual needs to conduct thorough research or ask from a family member or friend who appreciates the laws of the land before engaging in something. Wanning (1991) notes that coping with culture does not necessarily mean that a foreigner has to copy what other cultures do. In this regard, experts indicate that one should also engage in things they like most as they learn the unfamiliar culture. This may involve preparing favorite foods and doing it time and again. In addition, Wanning argues that one can also tune in to music or watch movies that make them feel good in their own language. Finally, foreigners are advised to seek for help if the symptoms are persistent or making their lives unbearable (Schmidt, 2012). For instance, those who develop manic disorders because of culture shock should seek for help by identifying a person to explain to their situation. This may involve seeking for counseling or seeing a psychologist for advise on the way forward. Conclusion Working or living in a foreign land can be a bad or exciting experience to anyone depending on how the person deals with the challenges associated with working, studying or living therein. It is evident that coping with cultural differences between different countries is posing a lot of challenge to many people who travel of live in foreign countries. Nonetheless, taking the right step and strategies can help deal with the challenge of culture shock. This involve doing enough research concerning the culture and appreciating how to deal with it in the most appropriate manner. References Bayraktaroglu, A. (2002). Culture shock!: Turkey. Hoboken, NJ: Graphic Arts Center Publishers. Marx, E. (2001). Breaking Through Culture Shock: What You Need to Succeed in International Business. London: Nicholas Bealey Publishing. Oberg, L. (2012). Culture Shock and the Problem of Adjusting to New Cultural Environment. Worldwide Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.worldwide.edu/travel_planner/culture_shock. Schmidt, D. (2012). International Moving: How to transition a little easier. The Language School Guide, Language Studies International. Retrieved from http://www.about.com#!/editors-picks/http://www.about.com/ - !/editors-picks/ Wanning, E. (1991). Culture Shock! USA. New York, NY: Graphic Arts Center. Ward, C. A., Bochner, S., & Furnham, A. (2001). The psychology of culture shock (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Routledge.s Read More