Ieva Vētra 23.10.2012

CONTENT

• What is culture?• What is culture shock?• What causes culture shock?• Culture shock 4 phases– Honeymoon phase– Negotiation phase– Adjustment phase– Mastery phase

• How to adapt oneself

Culture - the ideas, customs and social behavior of a particular people or society

Culture shock - a condition that affects people who travel to a country different from their

own.

! Culture shock is temporary !

WHAT CAUSES CULTURE SHOCK?

• Unfamiliar surroundings• Foreign language• Strange habits• Time zone

HONEYMOON PHASE

♥ You are FASCINATED by the new culture♥ Observations and new discoveries♥ Differences are seen in a romantic light♥ This phase eventually ends...

NEGOTIATION PHASE

• Excitment confusing and nervous feelings• Influencing factors: language barriers, public

hygiene, traffic safety, food accesibility, time zone

• You feel: sad, anxious, frustrated, homesick

ADJUSTMENT PHASE

• Confusing and nervous feelings routine• The culture begins to make sense• Things become more «normal»• Negative emotions are reduced

MASTERY PHASE

• Also called biculturalism stage• Your experience is relevant• Adaption in host culture• Old habits mix with the new ones

THE PROCESS OF ADJUSTMENT

HOW TO ADAPT ONESELF

• Make new contacts, friends• Try to learn useful expressions• Don’t follow stereotypes• Adapt rather than transform• Don’t be afraid to be awkward