Culture shock defined
I shared my experiences in a previous post; exactly, what was I feeling?! Culture shock. The term describes the anxiety produced when a person moves to a completely new environment. Dr. Carmen Guanipa of San Diego State University explains it as “the lack of direction, the feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do things in a new environment, and not knowing what is appropriate or inappropriate”.
Here are the symptoms:
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Sadness, loneliness, melancholy
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Preoccupation with health
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Aches, pains, and allergies
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Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little
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Changes in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless
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Anger, irritability, resentment, unwillingness to interact with others
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Identifying with the old culture or idealizing the old country
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Loss of identity
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Trying too hard to absorb everything in the new culture or country
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Unable to solve simple problems
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Lack of confidence
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Feelings of inadequacy or insecurity
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Developing stereotypes about the new culture
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Developing obsessions such as over-cleanliness
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Longing for family
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Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused
How severely we experience culture shock, or how long it lasts, depend on several factors: our state of mental health, personality, previous experiences, socio-economic conditions, familiarity with the language, support systems and level of education.
Here’s how to combat the stress:
- Develop a hobby
Don’t forget the good things you already have! - Remember, there are always resources that you can use
- Be patient, the act of immigrating is a process of adaptation to new situations. It is going to take time
- Learn to be constructive. If you encounter an unfavorable environment, don’t put yourself in that position again. Be easy on yourself.
- Don’t try too hard.
- Learn to include a regular form of physical activity in your routine. This will help combat the sadness and loneliness in a constructive manner.
- Exercise, swim, take an aerobics class, etc.
- Relaxation and meditation are proven to be very positive for people who are passing through periods of stress
- Maintain contact with your ethnic group. This will give you a feeling of belonging and you will reduce your feelings of loneliness and alienation
- Maintain contact with the new culture. Learn the language. Volunteer in community activities that allow you to practice the language that you are learning. This will help you feel less stress about language and useful at the same time.
- Allow yourself to feel sad about the things that you have left behind: your family, your friends, etc.
- Recognize the sorrow of leaving your old country. Accept the new country. Focus your power on getting through the transition.
- Pay attention to relationships with your family and at work. They will serve as support for you in difficult times.
- Establish simple goals and evaluate your progress.
- Find ways to live with the things that don’t satisfy you 100%.
- Maintain confidence in yourself. Follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the future.
- If you feel stressed, look for help. There is always someone or some service available to help you.
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POSTED IN: General: Philippine Culture, Health and Welfare
December 31st, 2006 at 10:21 pm
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