Culture shock

CULTURE SHOCK

TODAY WE WILL BE DEALING WITH THE POINTS BELOW:

• WHAT IS CULTURE SHOCK
• HOW TO AVOID CULTURE SHOCK AND STRESS
• CULTURAL DISBALANCING

WHAT IS CULTURE SHOCK?
Culture shock is a term used to describe the difficult process of adapting to a new environment. Many international students find that the leaning methods and social customs are significantly different to those practiced in their home country.
Culture can affect the stress and coping process in four ways. First, the cultural context shapes the types of stressors that an individual is likely to experience. Second, culture may also affect the appraisal of the stressfulness of a given event. Third, cultures affect the choice of coping strategies that an individual utilizes in any given situation. Finally, the culture provides different institutional mechanisms by which an individual can cope with stress.
HOW TO AVOID CULTURE SHOCK
It is common to experience culture shock when living in a foreign country. That is why it is useful to understand why you might feel a bit insecure or anxious. You are faced with a different climate, values, attitudes, lifestyles, languages, and political and religious beliefs, which can for sure be a little overwhelming. No wonder you feel homesick!
If you try to understand why something is different, you will also start to understand the local way of life more deeply. This will help you feel less insecure or anxious.
Learn as much as possible about your destination. As you learn and become open-minded it is easier to understand the differences, see things from a different perspective and thus adapt. Learning some keywords in the local language helps a lot as well!
It is good to stay in touch with family and friends back home. But remember, if you spend all your time connected to them, it just keeps feeding homesickness even more. So, forget your phone for a while and go exploring!
You will see differences everywhere but try to avoid comparing those with your home country. It won’t help you to settle in. Instead, see the differences as an opportunity to learn about a new culture and grow as a person!
HOW TO AVOID CULTURE SHOCK
HOW TO AVOID CULTURE STRESS

• Get enough sleep, exercise, and eat well. When stress increases, you can forget to take care of yourself. During an initial move or big change, it is especially important to take care of basic needs.
• Stay active. It is equally important to continue to remain active during times of increased stress. Remember to get out of your residence regularly by going on walks, visiting places around town, and attending campus events of interest.
• Take a minute to appreciate your accomplishments. Recognize what is going well.

• Congratulate yourself on everything you have already accomplished—it’s not easy. And reflect on the strength that is required to make such a move.
• Make new friends. Meeting new people and spending time in your new community are important steps in the acculturation process. Consider joining a conversation club to work on your English. You’ll meet people from the area as well as other students who are going through the same feelings you are.
• Avoid using alcohol and illicit drugs to self-medicate. Alcohol and drug use can add to your problems.

HOW TO AVOID CULTURE STRESS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!