Culture Shock Essay

277 Words2 Pages
For many people, one of the first differences they notice when traveling to a different country is the food. Newcomers to the United States are often shocked by portion sizes, by how often people eat, or by the places people eat (e.g., in their cars). They may also be shocked by the amount of meat and cheese in most American dishes. Meanwhile, Americans who travel abroad are often surprised by the varieties of foods eaten. They may encounter types of food they've never seen before. Travelers who are afraid of trying new things are more likely to have a negative experience or more profound culture shock.Culture shock is the disoriented feeling that occurs in the context of being in a new culture. It tends to leave over a few days or weeks and the greater the familiarity with the culture the less the shock. It's the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, or to a move between social environments. One of the most common causes of culture shock involves individuals in a foreign country. There is no true way to entirely prevent culture shock, as individuals in any society are personally affected by cultural contrasts differently. Culture shock can be described as consisting of at least one of four distinct phases: honeymoon, negotiation, adjustment, and mastery. During the honeymoon phase, the differences between the old and new culture are seen in a romantic light. During the first few weeks, most people are fascinated by the new culture. They associate with nationals who speak their language, and who

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