Short Essay on Culture Shock

 

Short Essay on Culture Shock

Outline:

1.      Culture

2.      Culture shock

3.      Types of culture shock

4.      Examples of culture shock

5.      Prevention of culture shock

6.      Conclusion

Definition of Culture

Culture can be defined as the ways of living including arts, beliefs, customs and trade of a population. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society. It also includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, art etc.

Definition of Culture Shock

Culture shock refers to the feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or anxiety that people may experience when they move from one country to other country or one society to other society. The concept of culture shock was given by Kalervo Oberg, who coined the term culture shock in the mid-1950s, defines culture shock as “the anxiety that results from losing all our familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse” (Oberg 1954).

People might experience culture shock when they relocate to a new location for a variety of reasons, including travel, study, employment or even vacations. When someone moves to a new environment and struggles to acclimate, they frequently experience confusion and anxiety. However, going through culture shock has a big positive impact on one's personality since it teaches people how to become more self-assured and adaptable, deal with times of isolation and unfamiliarity, and maintain their strength when faced with vulnerability. Culture shock can help to build self-confidence and independent attitude in one’s personality.

Types of Culture Shock

 There are often four stages of culture shock; the honeymoon, the frustration, the adjustment, and the acceptance. The impact of each stage as well as the order in which they occur varies greatly from person to person. They can, however, provide a guideline of how we adapt and cope with new cultures. (Source: Sverre Lysgaard, 1955)

 There are obvious examples of culture shock such as getting used to a different language, different dress, wild food, different religion and faiths.

Food Culture Shock

Here are some examples of food from various cultures that will astonish you, such as, in some countries like Thailand and Africa, people eat wild field Rats roasted on a stick. In China and some Chinese restaurants around the world, eating chicken feet is common. Some Korean restaurants cultures specialized in dog meat dishes. In Cambodia fried tarantulas and hairy arachnids are considered a popular snack, Pork is preferred in some countries but it is banned in Muslim countries. Locusts in Israel and Jellied Moose Nose in Canada etc.

 Travel Abroad Culture Shock

When someone travel abroad, he faces many barriers in food, language, culture, people and places. When you enter in a country like Japan, you don't know the language, even ordinary things like using the metro, placing of a restaurant order, or calling for cab become more challenging. In this regard, culture shock can result in feelings of irritation, helplessness, and uncertainty as a result of your inability to communicate. For examples, in Russia, China, Germany, Japan and in many countries, people don’t speak and understand English so don’t assume people speak your language. Learn a few keywords and phrases before you go in the certain country to avoid culture shock.

 Prevention of Culture Shock

Overcoming the culture shock is possible, and there are numerous approaches to deal with this phenomenon. Today, information technology and social media is providing a number of platforms to learn the local customs and traditions in order to become more familiar with the local environment. Making new friends and exploring familiar things can also help in overcoming of culture shock. One should be flexible, adaptable, calm and don’t be discouraged. Share your experiences with others. Culture shock could be stressful but if you find healthy ways to cope with this stress and engage in stress-relieving activities such as exercise or go for walk, experience interesting things and meet different people to relieve the stress of culture shock.

Conclusion

Culture shock is a universal phenomenon that is reversible. Before relocating, one should learn as much as possible using the internet and social media. Be open minded to learn. Ask questions about unfamiliar things, and enroll in a couple of languages classes. Make new friends and associate with positive people. Stay in touch with family and friends back in home via social media. This can provide you with some comfort while you are abroad and will reduce the impact of culture shock.

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