CULTURE SHOCK

Overview

Definition

The Symptoms
The Stages of Culture Shock Minimization of Culture Shock CULTURE SHOCK JAPAN Housing Food Clothes

Schools
Festivals Making Friends

Conclusions

What is culture shock?

A physical or emotional discomfort or anxiety that one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place that is different from the place of origin

Source: Guanipa, C. (1998). Culture Shock. Retrieved on February 1, 2006 from http://edweb.sdsu.edu on February 1, 2006.

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The Symptoms

Loneliness, melancholy. Loss of Identity Lack of confidence Longing for family Anger, irritability, unwillingness to interact with others Aches, pain, and allergies Feeling depressed, and powerless Insomnia

Source: Guanipa, C. (1998). Culture Shock. Retrieved on February 1, 2006 from http://edweb.sdsu.edu.

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The Four Stages of Culture Shock

The Tourist or Honeymoon Stage Emptiness or Rejection Phase Conformist Phase

Assimilation Phase

Source: International Travel Health and Vaccination Clinic. Culture Shock. Retrieved on February 1, 2006 from www.doctortravel.ca/culture_shock.asp
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Honeymoon Stage

Person is excited and experiencing a new lifestyle Everything goes by smoothly Duration: Could last up to 6 months.

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Emptiness or Rejection Stage

Dealing with problems such as transportation, different foods, communication, etc. Complaints about the host country may arise Individual can use to find comfort with the host country or simply go back to the country of origin

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Conformist Phase

Gaining more understanding of the new culture

Feeling a sense of humor and pleasure about host country

The new comer is approximately 90% adjusted

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Assimilation Phase

Acceptance of food, habits, drinks, and the customs of the host country Realization that there are different lifestyles A feeling of comfort

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Variation

Not everyone will experience all of the phases in the sequential order. It is normal to experience culture shock. It is also normal to experience as few as one stage or as many as all four phases.

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Tips for Minimizing or Fighting Culture Shock

Recognize Accept Focus Dont forget the good things that youve accomplished There are always resources for you to take advantage of Ask for help if you need to do so Exercise, swim, do aerobics, etc. Be patient and constructive

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CULTURE SHOCK
EXAMPLES

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CULTURE SHOCK

JAPAN

Back to Menu http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/

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HOUSING

TAKE your shoes off

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Food

The word for "meal" in Japanese is gohan.

A traditional morning meal

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Clothes

A child wearing a kimono

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Schools
Students also learn traditional Japanese arts like shodo (calligraphy) and haiku
Elementary schools have started teaching English

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FESTIVALS

Golden Week and Obon

This only compounds the culture shock

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MAKING FRIENDS
Making friends is important

Don't be shy
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CONCLUSION

Culture shock could create a serious problem for a new comer to a foreign place.

Culture could be learned and adapted easily with open mind while prepare to adjust the behavior to match the new culture to avoid the culture shock.

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