Cultural shock is a technical yet emotional concept. When a person moves from one country to another, which differs in cultures and norms, he/she experiences a cultural shift, known as Cultural Shock. The primary reason of experiencing cultural shock is the feeling of unfamiliarity among people following culture different from yours.
There are four stages in the concept which is cyclic and in order (one after the other).
- Honeymoon-
This is the period of enjoyment and fun one feels immediately after moving to a new country. During this phase, one relishes the different tastes of native foods, go shopping at newer places, indulge in the native people’s way of living, etc. most people are fascinated by the new culture and people of different origins and therefore, remains in this period for a pretty good time.
- Negotiation-
This is the period one starts developing a feeling of disconnect towards the foreign culture. The excitement turns into frustration as the person started missing his/her native culture. Language barriers and stark differences in norms started pricking the person. In this phase, he/she lives a life of negotiation in the foreign land.
- Adjustment-
This is the stage when the person becomes ‘used to’ his/her life among alien folks. He started living unconcerned of differences in cultures and became more harmonised with life in the foreign country. The negative space evaporates at this stage, and the person becomes more practical and positive in the approach of dealing with foreign customs and people around.
- Adaption-
The person at this stage, accepts the new culture with open arms. He/she fits in perfectly among natives of the host country and stops looking back at his/her home country.
Reverse Cultural Shock
When the person re-visits his/her own country after the adaption stage, he suffers from reverse cultural shock. He/she encounters the primary culture he/she belongs to and therefore stats feeling uncomfortable in his/her own skin. The new perceptions one develops in the foreign land starts mixing with that one used to have in their own country.
Cultural shock is a technical yet emotional concept. When a person moves from one country to another, which differs in cultures and norms, he/she experiences a cultural shift, known as Cultural Shock.
The primary reason of experiencing cultural shock is the feeling of unfamiliarity among people following culture different from yours. There are four stages in the concept which is cyclic and in order (one after the other).
- Honeymoon-
This is the period of enjoyment and fun one feels immediately after moving to a new country. During this phase, one relishes the different tastes of native foods, go shopping at newer places, indulge in the native people’s way of living, etc. most people are fascinated by the new culture and people of different origins and therefore, remains in this period for a pretty good time.
- Negotiation-
This is the period one starts developing a feeling of disconnect towards the foreign culture. The excitement turns into frustration as the person started missing his/her native culture. Language barriers and stark differences in norms started pricking the person. In this phase, he/she lives a life of negotiation in the foreign land.
- Adjustment-
This is the stage when the person becomes ‘used to’ his/her life among alien folks. He started living unconcerned of differences in cultures and became more harmonised with life in the foreign country. The negative space evaporates at this stage, and the person becomes more practical and positive in the approach of dealing with foreign customs and people around.
- Adaption-
The person at this stage, accepts the new culture with open arms. He/she fits in perfectly among natives of the host country and stops looking back at his/her home country.
Reverse Cultural Shock
When the person re-visits his/her own country after the adaption stage, he suffers from reverse cultural shock. He/she encounters the primary culture he/she belongs to and therefore stats feeling uncomfortable in his/her own skin. The new perceptions one develops in the foreign land starts mixing with that one used to have in their own country.
This leads to discomfort and one generally craves to go back to the same foreign environment.
Reasons which lead to Cultural Shocks
Common reasons that leads to experience of cultural shocks are:
a) Language barrier- This is a key reason why people generally suffers from cultural shock. One loves conserving in his/her native language as it gives a sense of comfort and hominess to people. Absence of home town language in the foreign land makes one goes through cultural shock.
b) Technology gap- When a person develops from a developing country like India to a developed country, say Canada, then the superior technology creates a sense of fear in the mind of the person. He/she feels technology dependent to some extend and thus, may feel depressed of being in such a technology driven country.
c) Homesickness- Many people misses their family/spouse/friends and relatives. Home cooked food, local products one is used of using all the time, etc. makes it impossible for the person not to be homesick-ed.
d) Cultural unacceptability- Every country has a different culture to adhere and cherish.
Usually, the difference between two cultures is so blunt that a person fails to accept it. This unacceptability of culture of the home country, is the biggest cultural shock!
If you are ready to do away with the cultural shock and try your luck to go and settle overseas, then you can seek advice from our immigration experts at 91-8447281370 or you can mail your query at info@aptechvisa.com today!
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