Culture Shock Essay

532 Words3 Pages
What are the effects of culture shock? By Mehdi Ameziane Outline: * Introduction * What is culture shock? * Stages of culture shock * Effects of culture shock * Conclusi Introduction When a person sets out to study, live or work in a new country, he or she will invariably experience difficulties with language, housing, food, friends, school, work, weather … which characterize the culture of that country. The impact of moving from a familiar culture to one which is unfamiliar is generally associated with “Culture shock”. In fact, there are different stages of culture shocks and their effects greatly depend on the extent to which a given stage is reached. Culture shocks also vary between individuals of a given country and from one country to another. What is culture shock? “Culture shock” is thus an experience described by people who have travelled abroad to work, live, study or even when on holiday. It can affect anyone. It includes the shock of a new environment, meeting lots of new people and learning the ways of a different country. It also includes the shock of being separated from the important people in our life, maybe family, friends, colleagues, and teachers: people we would normally talk to, people who give us support and guidance. When familiar sights, sounds, smells or tastes are no longer there we can miss them very much. The shock becomes greater as we try to adapt to the new culture. Stages of culture shock The culture shock undergoes three distinct stages: “Honey moon phase”, “Morning after phase” and “Biculturalism phase”. During the first period, the differences between the old and new culture are seen in a romantic light, wonderful and new. For example, in moving to a new country, an individual might love the new foods, the people’s habits, the buildings and so on. During the first few weeks, most people
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