CULTURE SHOCK

The term culture shock was first introduced in 1960 by Kalvero Oberg to describe the anxiety produced when a person moves to a completely new environment (Eilers, 2012; Neuliep, 2006; Oberg, 1960). The term emphasizes specifically on a lack of direction and uncertainty over what to do or how to do things in that new environment. The emergence of culture shock normally begins in the first few weeks after relocating to a new location, be it a city, state, or country.

Culture shock is precisely characterized when someone suffers from emotional and physical discomforts. The emotional misery of culture shock is signified profoundly by these symptoms: a feeling of homesickness, helplessness, the ease at getting angry over something, experiencing frustration over small issues (Oberg, 2006) and “A sense of loss and feelings of deprivation in regard to friends, status, profession, and possessions” (Eilers as cited in Furnham & Bochner, 1992, in Eilers, 2012).

The symptoms of the physical suffering of culture shock can be clearly seen through unnecessary concern on foods and drinks (Oberg, 2003). These concerns emerge as a result of a personal judgment on the conditions, which can easily lead to rejection and regression of the new environment (p. 142).

Besides the emergence of several debatable models of culture shock (Neuliep, 2006), Oberg (2003) presents four fundamental phases of culture shock that exist in our society. These stages are known as a honeymoon, shock, crisis, and integrating phases of culture shock. Except for the integrating phase, Oberg points out that all the other three phases of culture shock contain a certain degree of frustration.

Being fascinated and excited are the common initial feelings when lining in a foreign country. These feelings lead someone to embrace wholeheartedly the situation without paying attention to the minor disturbances which might encounter in his/her life (Marx, 1999). A full sense of adventure, exploration of sights and shops, experiencing the feeling of euphoria and enthusiasm are among the common feelings at the honeymoon stage of culture shock (Neuliep, 2006).

The honeymoon stage of culture shock, however, does not last long. This period is then followed by the shock stage. Rinesmith (as cited in Neuliep, 2006) outlines the general attitudes appear at this second stage are bewilderment, disenchantment, restlessness, and impatience. These aggressive attitudes can lead immediately into an emotional response to the situation such as uncertainty, irritability, loss of enthusiasm, skepticism, and questioning values of self.

The inability to cope with the crisis, which is encountered at the second stage, can then lead to a crisis stage of culture shock. This phase is known as the climax of culture shock. This stage is characterized by an attitude of hostility, irritation, and aggression. There is no sense of friendship at this stage as the person at this moment experiences a sense of discouragement, depression, boredom, homesickness, extreme sensitivity, and irritability. 

Avoiding contact with host nationals (Marx, 1999), loss of concentration, and conflict with others are the negative-behavioral responses at this stage of culture shock. This behavioral aggressiveness can lead someone into a minor illness and preoccupation with personal cleanliness (Oberg, 2006). The third stage is also known as the reorientation phase (Neuliep, 2006), as those involved in the culture shock experience begin to appreciate the different cultural beliefs. According to Winkelman (as cited in Neuliep, 2006), “The host culture begins to make sense, and pessimistic reactions and responses to it are lessened as people recognize that their problems are due largely to their inability to understand, accept and adapt” (Neuliep, p. 432).

Finally, a recovery phase of culture shock is known as the integrating phase. Unlike the other stages, the primary characterization of this stage allows the foreigner to feel much more at home with their surroundings. The foreign country is perceived as their own, which means the new life becomes “Another way of living” (Oberg, 2003, p.) or some people would say “I’m beginning to feel like a member of this culture” (Kirby in Stanislaus & Ueffing, 2015). The sense of avoidances and rejections which normally occur in the previous phases are transformed into a feeling of acceptance. The enjoyment of food, drinks, customs, and habits is the dominant feeling at this stage.

Oberg (2003) claims that there is no total recovery in culture shock. He suggests, therefore, “Know the people of the host country” and the in Language” (Martin & Nakayama, 2008) as these are the best way to ward oneself from a culture shock experience (p.145). Failure to apply this method will lead to a circle of repetition of the four stages of culture shock. Culture shock is, therefore, a lifelong experience for those who choose to live in a country other than their own.