Comments on: The 4 Stages of Culture Shock (And How To Beat Them) http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/ Online travel magazine dedicated to exploring travel in the 21st century. Offering travel news, compelling interviews, online travel tools, and more. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:14:28 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Amanda http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-94930 Amanda Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:38:58 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-94930 Thank you for this article, I moved away 4 months ago, from my friends and family, from a man I was in love with, to a place that doesnt even speak my language. Culture shock, homesick and heart break are in my every thought, There is so much oppertunity here. To give up now, would only lead me to feel failure within myself. I must continue to fight. I am doing this for a better me. There is so much at the end of this journey. Thank you for this article, I moved away 4 months ago, from my friends and family, from a man I was in love with, to a place that doesnt even speak my language. Culture shock, homesick and heart break are in my every thought, There is so much oppertunity here. To give up now, would only lead me to feel failure within myself. I must continue to fight. I am doing this for a better me. There is so much at the end of this journey.

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]]> By: melody http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-93731 melody Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:47:38 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-93731 thanks for this article...ive ben sobbing my eyes out all afternoon, im a south african in the USA and its been 2 and a half months here for me, ive got another 9 and a half to go, im seriously in stage 3 because im english speaking so the language issue is not bad but there are some other culure shocks, im glad now i understand it better and other people are going through it, i just hope stage four comes to me quickly, because i really do feel like packing up and going home now...sniff sniff*!!! :) thanks for this article…ive ben sobbing my eyes out all afternoon, im a south african in the USA and its been 2 and a half months here for me, ive got another 9 and a half to go, im seriously in stage 3 because im english speaking so the language issue is not bad but there are some other culure shocks, im glad now i understand it better and other people are going through it, i just hope stage four comes to me quickly, because i really do feel like packing up and going home now…sniff sniff*!!! :)

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]]> By: Gaijin DJ http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-92022 Gaijin DJ Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:27:59 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-92022 Great I have been in Saitama Japan for 10 months and the newness has been wearing off and I have been screaming at my wife and kids to their amazement about stupid stuff. I like how the article described about going outside and screaming at the neighbors. I won't do that but I have been a bit more snippy with the employee's at the stores. I wanted to bite the head off a lady at Mc D's as she is trying to be eco friendly and my burger was wrapped in paper then put in a small bag and then the bag in a bigger bag. My coke was the same and then she put both bags in a plastic bag this transaction taking a huge 10 minutes out of my life and all I can think of is terminator and Judgment day. So today, my wife comes to me who is in the mire of depression and wants to talk. I am a whipped dog. I am so self-centered and the sensory perception is so keen that like the article stated noise is a problem. The TV sounds like Punk rock rap music played at double speed. Anyway, I feel some relief to read and see I am wading through the crap like everyone else and am just a few more months away from some sunshine on the other side. I hope? Well, let me just jump back into my valley of depression and anger and enjoy some quality time with the folks here in Japan. God have mercy. Great I have been in Saitama Japan for 10 months and the newness has been wearing off and I have been screaming at my wife and kids to their amazement about stupid stuff. I like how the article described about going outside and screaming at the neighbors. I won’t do that but I have been a bit more snippy with the employee’s at the stores. I wanted to bite the head off a lady at Mc D’s as she is trying to be eco friendly and my burger was wrapped in paper then put in a small bag and then the bag in a bigger bag. My coke was the same and then she put both bags in a plastic bag this transaction taking a huge 10 minutes out of my life and all I can think of is terminator and Judgment day. So today, my wife comes to me who is in the mire of depression and wants to talk. I am a whipped dog. I am so self-centered and the sensory perception is so keen that like the article stated noise is a problem. The TV sounds like Punk rock rap music played at double speed.

Anyway, I feel some relief to read and see I am wading through the crap like everyone else and am just a few more months away from some sunshine on the other side. I hope? Well, let me just jump back into my valley of depression and anger and enjoy some quality time with the folks here in Japan. God have mercy.

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]]> By: Sherry Ott http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-91641 Sherry Ott Wed, 27 May 2009 15:10:44 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-91641 Great article....I think I'm officially out of the depression and into the acceptance. As I read the article it really struck a chord - especially since I relocated to Saigon 8 months ago solo...it's been a long road. There have been two things that have helped me survive...learning how to drive a motorbike and being able to blog/write about my experiences. When you live and travel on your own, you have often find yourself living inside your head with no one to talk through some of these tough times. By being able to write about it, it's at least a way that you can examine your thoughts, feelings and experiences without it all bottling up inside. If you ever come back to Saigon, there's a pothole with your name on it waiting for you...and a bowl of pho! Great article….I think I’m officially out of the depression and into the acceptance. As I read the article it really struck a chord – especially since I relocated to Saigon 8 months ago solo…it’s been a long road. There have been two things that have helped me survive…learning how to drive a motorbike and being able to blog/write about my experiences. When you live and travel on your own, you have often find yourself living inside your head with no one to talk through some of these tough times. By being able to write about it, it’s at least a way that you can examine your thoughts, feelings and experiences without it all bottling up inside.
If you ever come back to Saigon, there’s a pothole with your name on it waiting for you…and a bowl of pho!

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]]> By: mimi http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-89875 mimi Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:45:40 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-89875 Thanks for this article. While I read a lot about culture shock when first arriving in my host country, 6 months down the line it has crept up on me and slapped me in the face. I say 'crept up' because I expected it to be an obvious manifestation - clear frustration with the local culture, not feeling part of society. Instead, the culture shock has reared it ugly head in the form of 'sadness' and malaise. Because I did not consider these symptoms part of 'culture shock', based on articles I had read, especially the sense of 'malaise', I thought it was simply a bit of homesickness. I realise now that I'm going through a bad case of culture shock. I have grown increasingly frustrated with the amount of time it's taking me to learn the local language as well, but it's getting there slowly but surely. Not wanting to return to one's home country makes it harder to admit that you're going through culture shock too. I had made up my mind that I was not going to return home and this was IT. This new country was going to be where I will work towards getting Permanent Residency. Returning is not an option. This is where the danger comes in, when having to admit to a bit of homesickness. The feelings of self-doubt about my decisions has been challenging, but thanks to your article, I feel like I can push through the shock and frustration I am currently experiencing. Thanks for your insight. Thanks for this article. While I read a lot about culture shock when first arriving in my host country, 6 months down the line it has crept up on me and slapped me in the face. I say ‘crept up’ because I expected it to be an obvious manifestation – clear frustration with the local culture, not feeling part of society. Instead, the culture shock has reared it ugly head in the form of ’sadness’ and malaise. Because I did not consider these symptoms part of ‘culture shock’, based on articles I had read, especially the sense of ‘malaise’, I thought it was simply a bit of homesickness. I realise now that I’m going through a bad case of culture shock. I have grown increasingly frustrated with the amount of time it’s taking me to learn the local language as well, but it’s getting there slowly but surely. Not wanting to return to one’s home country makes it harder to admit that you’re going through culture shock too. I had made up my mind that I was not going to return home and this was IT. This new country was going to be where I will work towards getting Permanent Residency. Returning is not an option. This is where the danger comes in, when having to admit to a bit of homesickness. The feelings of self-doubt about my decisions has been challenging, but thanks to your article, I feel like I can push through the shock and frustration I am currently experiencing.
Thanks for your insight.

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]]> By: SharonV http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-89136 SharonV Sun, 05 Apr 2009 02:43:05 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-89136 I can relate so much, even though I haven't officially travelled outside Canada. I moved from home in BC to Banff, Alberta, one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations, for a work term for my tourism course. When I moved back home to complete the course I found myself disoriented and wanting to be back in Banff. Now, years later, I've moved to Guelph, Ontario with my boyfriend, and I'm going through all those stages again. I can relate so much, even though I haven’t officially travelled outside Canada. I moved from home in BC to Banff, Alberta, one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations, for a work term for my tourism course. When I moved back home to complete the course I found myself disoriented and wanting to be back in Banff. Now, years later, I’ve moved to Guelph, Ontario with my boyfriend, and I’m going through all those stages again.

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]]> By: kate http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-89111 kate Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:51:26 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-89111 This was really helpful! Thank you :) This summer I'm going to Peru for 6 weeks -- not only is it my first trip abroad by myself, but my first trip abroad altogether. Luckily since I at least have a host family to stay with, some understanding of spanish and a purpose for being there, it shouldn't be too difficult, but I still can't help but feel a wee bit anxious (buried by all the excitement.) I think what I'm actually worried most about is reverse culture shock. Readjusting to American culture after being in Cusco sounds pretty tough! This was really helpful! Thank you :)

This summer I’m going to Peru for 6 weeks — not only is it my first trip abroad by myself, but my first trip abroad altogether. Luckily since I at least have a host family to stay with, some understanding of spanish and a purpose for being there, it shouldn’t be too difficult, but I still can’t help but feel a wee bit anxious (buried by all the excitement.)

I think what I’m actually worried most about is reverse culture shock. Readjusting to American culture after being in Cusco sounds pretty tough!

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]]> By: Cathy http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-83723 Cathy Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:13:37 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-83723 Oh my God, this article sums up pretty much everything! I especially recognized myself in the part about going out the door and wanting to shout obscenities at the neighbour who says hello, and I am normally a very peaceful and calm person... I came to France as part of an exchange programme four months ago and nothing has turned out the way I expected. I had a relatively good command of French when I came, at least so I thought, but it turns out that I am not good enough to take part in an everyday conversation with a native, which is SO frustrating. Not that I really get that many opportunities to do so either, because the French seem extremely cold, some of them almost even hostile. When I came here, I was so positive and thought this would be a nice year (after all, when exchange students come back to their own country, they tend to describe their year abroad as "the best year of their life"), but I could not have been more wrong. As I said, the French seem so cold and unfriendly, and I must admit that I am starting to feel a certain hostility towards them and their behaviour and all that is French and all that I was so eager to explore in the first place. OK, so I do not look French, my French is not perfect and I may not laugh at the same things that they do, but I am still a nice person and not some alien from outer space. I had a very active life in my own country and I never felt lonely, here I am reduced to an invisible human being that does not fit in anywhere. The contrast is really hard to deal with, but I will cope, I have only four months left here and then I will leave France and probably never go back. I suppose it is the frustration/depression phase that has hit me with full power, and it does not seem as if I will ever get to the acceptance phase... Oh my God, this article sums up pretty much everything! I especially recognized myself in the part about going out the door and wanting to shout obscenities at the neighbour who says hello, and I am normally a very peaceful and calm person… I came to France as part of an exchange programme four months ago and nothing has turned out the way I expected. I had a relatively good command of French when I came, at least so I thought, but it turns out that I am not good enough to take part in an everyday conversation with a native, which is SO frustrating. Not that I really get that many opportunities to do so either, because the French seem extremely cold, some of them almost even hostile. When I came here, I was so positive and thought this would be a nice year (after all, when exchange students come back to their own country, they tend to describe their year abroad as "the best year of their life"), but I could not have been more wrong. As I said, the French seem so cold and unfriendly, and I must admit that I am starting to feel a certain hostility towards them and their behaviour and all that is French and all that I was so eager to explore in the first place. OK, so I do not look French, my French is not perfect and I may not laugh at the same things that they do, but I am still a nice person and not some alien from outer space. I had a very active life in my own country and I never felt lonely, here I am reduced to an invisible human being that does not fit in anywhere. The contrast is really hard to deal with, but I will cope, I have only four months left here and then I will leave France and probably never go back. I suppose it is the frustration/depression phase that has hit me with full power, and it does not seem as if I will ever get to the acceptance phase…

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]]> By: Katie http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-82795 Katie Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:10:23 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-82795 Great article. I think you should write about reverse culture shock. I find that after living abroad I come back to the US and I think of how stupid it is to be driving and I just wish I could take the bus everywhere. Living in a city that has dismal public transit, I find that among other things the "reverse" of culture shock. Just some thoughts :) Great article. I think you should write about reverse culture shock. I find that after living abroad I come back to the US and I think of how stupid it is to be driving and I just wish I could take the bus everywhere. Living in a city that has dismal public transit, I find that among other things the "reverse" of culture shock. Just some thoughts :)

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]]> By: Meh http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/comment-page-1/#comment-82197 Meh Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:31:44 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/11/20/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-and-how-to-beat-them/#comment-82197 I have been in Japan (Tohoku region) for about 5 months now on a study abroad and most of what I have read about American's experiences coming here as been a huge lie. A good portion of what is written seems to deal with how Americans come to Japan and are instantly the object of lust and fantasy of each and every Japanese person they encounter. And while I knew that was pretty much BS from the get go, I figured at least making friends with the Japanese shouldn't be that big of a deal. Boy was I wrong. The first couple weeks I was here was great. The Japanese students would come running up and want to talk to you and I really enjoyed that. But as the novelty of it wore off (which came rather quickly as I am at a pretty small school), I came to find how isolated I was. Before I left, I had envisioned that I would make a lot of Japanese friends who would show me the ropes. But by the second week, I realized that my only hope of interaction with other people was with the other foreign students here. The Japanese students quickly made up their minds who they would interact with. For most, that choice was none of the foreigners. And for those who did decide to get to know the gaijin, they quickly found themselves boy/girl friends and were too busy with that to get to know the rest of us. Added to that was the fact that very few in the city I am in have much desire to have us here. For every one person that will return your wave and say hi, 6 are ambivalent to you, 2 will stare at you like you are Big Foot and one will glare at you as if to say "get the hell out of my country." But you learn to deal with that soon enough. So at this point, I find myself in stage 3. It's hard not to feel depressed and lethargic to it all when you feel so lonely. I could have stayed at home and had no friends and saved myself a whole lot of money. And while the other foreign students I hang out with are wonderful, I did not come here to meet other Americans. Again, I could have stayed at home and done that. I came here to meet the Japanese and learn the culture through interacting with them. Here's to hoping that the final half of my stay here gets a whole lot better. I have been in Japan (Tohoku region) for about 5 months now on a study abroad and most of what I have read about American's experiences coming here as been a huge lie. A good portion of what is written seems to deal with how Americans come to Japan and are instantly the object of lust and fantasy of each and every Japanese person they encounter. And while I knew that was pretty much BS from the get go, I figured at least making friends with the Japanese shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Boy was I wrong.

The first couple weeks I was here was great. The Japanese students would come running up and want to talk to you and I really enjoyed that. But as the novelty of it wore off (which came rather quickly as I am at a pretty small school), I came to find how isolated I was. Before I left, I had envisioned that I would make a lot of Japanese friends who would show me the ropes. But by the second week, I realized that my only hope of interaction with other people was with the other foreign students here. The Japanese students quickly made up their minds who they would interact with. For most, that choice was none of the foreigners. And for those who did decide to get to know the gaijin, they quickly found themselves boy/girl friends and were too busy with that to get to know the rest of us.

Added to that was the fact that very few in the city I am in have much desire to have us here. For every one person that will return your wave and say hi, 6 are ambivalent to you, 2 will stare at you like you are Big Foot and one will glare at you as if to say "get the hell out of my country." But you learn to deal with that soon enough.

So at this point, I find myself in stage 3. It's hard not to feel depressed and lethargic to it all when you feel so lonely. I could have stayed at home and had no friends and saved myself a whole lot of money. And while the other foreign students I hang out with are wonderful, I did not come here to meet other Americans. Again, I could have stayed at home and done that. I came here to meet the Japanese and learn the culture through interacting with them.

Here's to hoping that the final half of my stay here gets a whole lot better.

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