 China
and Culture Shock
Will I get it?
If I
do, what can I do about it?
Yeah, you'll probably get it. But sometimes
"shock" is a bit of an overstatement. A
bit of drama perhaps.
Here's
how it works:
You
can expect to feel euphoric (I finally made it!),
Angry (Why can't I make things work, like back home!),
Depressed and disappointed (Everything isn't exactly
like I wanted/expected it to be!),
And
isolated (I don't really know anyone here).
It's okay, this is normal. After all this is a very
big time in your life and of course you will have some
strong feelings about it!
Natural Reactions
These emotional reactions are all natural responses to
the situation you will find yourself in overseas. How
to deal with it? Get busy - personal projects, work,
travel, making friends, even volunteering. But, also
take a little time and just recognize the feelings for
what they are.
One
of the best articles an where about dealing with Culture Shock is
at:
Culture Shock, by About.com
Don't forget that you can have problems with your job,
boss, landlord, and friends back home too. Don't blame
it all on your host country!
Know that the
effects of culture shock diminish as you learn to have
more realistic expectations, and as you just naturally
learn how to deal with the new culture.
Surviving Uncertainty
Part of the issue with culture shock is also the
uncertainty of your new situation - how it is going to
evolve - and your general feelings about it. Follow the
same course of treatment for culture shock! Quit moping
around the house and get busy!
Check the chart below for a better understanding of what
goes on and your choices, try your best to stay on the
top half of the page:
|
"Twenty
years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do than by the
ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the
trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.
Discover." -- Mark Twain |
|
