INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE

In the Host Country

What Are Cultural Differences?

When we are in our native environment, we are relatively comfortable because we are familiar with the culture. In general, we know what kinds of reactions to expect from people in a given situation. We know how to get what we need. The cues and symbols that we use to make these determinations are based on our culture. In a different culture, we suddenly lose cues and symbols that orient us to situations of daily life. What happens when people react in strange and unexpected ways or when facial expressions, gestures and words are no longer familiar? The process of adjusting to another culture and of gaining an understanding of it often creates psychological discomfort, commonly referred to as culture shock. This is the reaction to differences and difficulties one encounters in a foreign culture and can consist of many phases. The Cultural Adjustment Curve on the previous page and the description below it further illustrate typical reactions to experiencing another culture.

Normal feelings encountered as a reaction to culture shock may include helplessness, hopelessness, loneliness, homesickness, slight depression, irritability, and boredom. For most participants, going through culture shock means that they are truly making an effort to understand and adjust to their new environment. It can be a time of tremendous personal and academic growth.

Other reactions may also accompany culture shock:

• changes in sleeping habits and chronic fatigue
• disorientation about how to work with and relate to others
• language difficulties and mental fatigue from speaking and listening to a foreign language all day
• unexplained emotional surges, such as verbal outbursts or crying
• placing blame for difficulties on the program or host culture
• decline in inventiveness, spontaneity, or flexibility
• stereotyping of host country/culture
• increase in physical ailments or pain
• compulsive eating or lack of appetite
• inability to work effectively

Often participants cannot explain why they are feeling this way, only that these strong feelings exist. This process of discovering cultural differences and experiencing culture shock is a powerful learning tool. As participants work through the challenges and emotions of cultural adjustment, the result can be a high degree of understanding both about themselves and about the culture in which they are living. Past participants have claimed that study abroad can be an invaluable education about what it means to be from the United States and to gain first-hand knowledge about the diversity of lifestyles and beliefs in the world.

During these challenging times it is easy for participants to stick together because it is more comfortable for them to be with people from their own culture. However, by doing so, they may miss many of the beautiful experiences the host country has to offer. It often takes a lot of effort to develop relationships across cultures, but the rewards can be considerable.