Moving to a New Culture is a Learning Experience. Each day at Mercer you will be learning many things outside and inside the classroom. You will learn how people of another culture view the world and their lives. There is value in experiencing and understanding a way of life different from your own. You will even learn things about your own culture that you never thought about before. This is a rare opportunity to not only broaden your views but to mature and establish your values. You will also be able to educate others about your culture. The best way to find out about something you do not understand is to ask questions. Do not hesitate to ask question -- even if the questions seem trivial or you think your English is not good. People are generally helpful, but they can't guess what you need to know. Ask Questions!
Culture Shock
What is it? "Culture Shock" is the name given to the feelings of confusion that occur when a person leaves a familiar place to enter an unfamiliar one. You may not be able to convey your thoughts in English. Your family and friends are far away. There are academic and social symptoms of Culture Shock: People experience Culture Shock in varying degrees.
You may find that you…
• become nervous and unusually tired.
• want to sleep often.
• write many letters home.
• feel frustrated and hostile toward your host country
• become excessively angry over minor irritations.
• associate only with people from your own country
Coping With Culture Shock
Here are some suggestions that may be helpful:
• Evaluate your expectations. Your reactions are products of the way things are here and the way you expected them to be. If you find yourself being confused or disappointed about something, ask yourself: What did I expect? Was my expectation reasonable?
• Keep an open mind. Try to understand that Americans are acting according to their cultural values. Avoid evaluating their behaviors by the standards of your country.
• Learn from the experience. You are here to explore a new way of life. You do not have to change your own values, but you should respect those of other people.
• Meet with the international student advisor when you have questions or need to speak with someone who will try to help you as you adjust to your new environment.
With your international student advisor, you can discuss any problems that you are having with making your adjustment. Students can also be a resource for each other in coping with life in a new culture.
The Adjustment Process
Summary of the Cross-Cultural Adjustment Cycle
The following page describes the stages and symptoms of the adjustment process. Although individuals differ, it is important to know the stages and recognize symptoms.
Honeymoon Period
As a newcomer you are interested and excited by the new surroundings. Although you may be nervous, your excitement outweighs anxiety or concern.
Culture Shock
You feel overwhelmed by new problems and behaviors: Housing, transportation, food, language, and loneliness. Symptoms include:
• Fatigue resulting from continuously trying to understand and use a second language;
• Doubt about why you came to this place;
• Lack of self-confidence;
• Minor illnesses (colds, upset stomachs, etc).
Step One: Initial Adjustment
Soon, you find that everyday activities such as housing, meals, and transportation are no longer big problems for you.
Step Two: Mental Isolation
After you make the initial arrangements and adjustments for daily living, you will begin to look for personal relationships. Although you may be able to express basic ideas and feelings in a second language, you feel you cannot express yourself as well as you can in your native language. You feel like you have little or nothing in common with most people around you.
Symptoms of Mental Isolation
• Spending most of your time with people who speak the same language;
• Spending a lot of time alone;
• Being depressed;
• Abusing alcohol (on-campus use of alcohol is prohibited);
• Having persistent and intensely negative feelings toward the new environment and the people.
Step Three: Acceptance and Integration
A routine (work, school, social life) is established. You have accepted the customs, habits, food and characteristics of the friends, associates, and language of the U.S.
Return Anxiety, Reentry Shock, Reintegration
You may experience "Reverse Culture Shock" when you return to your home country. You will have to readjust to life in your home while assimilating the things you learned at Mercer and in U.S. culture.
Anytime you feel that you need to talk to someone about your cultural adjustment to Mercer & the USA, you can make an appointment with the Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services in the Office of International Programs. He is available to listen to your problems and needs.
For cultural adjustments that are more serious and involve long-term depression or anxiety, you should make an appointment with a university counselor at 301-2862.