Culture shock describes the impact of moving from a familiar culture to one which is unfamiliar. It is an experience described by people who have travelled abroad to work, live or study; it can be felt to a certain extent even when abroad on holiday. It can affect anyone, including international students. 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 your life, maybe family, friends, colleagues, teachers: people you would normally talk to at times of uncertainty, people who give you support and guidance.When familiar sights, sounds, smells or tastes are no longer there you can miss them very much. If you are tired and jet-lagged when you arrive small things can be upsetting and out of all proportion to their real significance.
This is the first paragraph of the section on Culture Shock offered by
UKCISA, UK Council for International Student Affairs.
It goes on to explain the areas of life culture shock has an effect on:
Climate
Food
Language
Dress
Social roles
Rules of behaviour
Values
Read everything on culture shock in the
UKCISA webpage, which includes its different stages, the effects and some advice to help you overcome culture shock.
They also let us know about
What's up with culture?, a similar site for those students who are going to move to the States.
