Culture Shock: The Ins and Outs What happens to us when we go from … … this… to … this…

… you might be experiencing ‘culture shock’ Kalvero Oberg, the individual who coined the term says, "is brought on by the anxiety that results from losing all our familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. These signs or cues include the thousand and one ways in which we orient ourselves to the situation of daily life…” (Gordon, A.)

Kalvero Oberg, the individual who coined the term says, "is brought on by the anxiety that results from losing all our familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. These signs or cues include the thousand and one ways in which we orient ourselves to the situation of daily life…” (Gordon, A.)

Stage 1: The “Honeymoon” Phase The things you experience when you are on vacation. The differences are wonderful and new.

The things you experience when you are on vacation. The differences are wonderful and new.

Stage 2: The Negotiation Phase Differences are no longer seen as ‘wonderful’ but rather as frustrations, annoyances and painful reminders of what you left in your native country.

Differences are no longer seen as ‘wonderful’ but rather as frustrations, annoyances and painful reminders of what you left in your native country.

Stage 3: The “Everything is OK” Phase One is now accustomed to the differences and no longer reacts negatively to them. This is now their own way of living, a culture they understand.

One is now accustomed to the differences and no longer reacts negatively to them. This is now their own way of living, a culture they understand.

Stage 4: Reverse Culture Shock The same phases occur when you return to your native culture.

The same phases occur when you return to your native culture.

Symptoms of Culture Shock Symptoms differ for each person but some of the most common are: Weight gain/loss Anxiety Hostility/short temper Obsession with cleanliness Refusal to learn language

Symptoms differ for each person but some of the most common are:

Weight gain/loss

Anxiety

Hostility/short temper

Obsession with cleanliness

Refusal to learn language

Most Common Symptoms When asked what symptoms they were faced with while abroad, most foreign exchange students answered either weight gain or loss. The full results are available in the information below. %

What you should do if you experience Culture Shock? Buy a travel book and research before going. Be open-minded Participate in culture Find resources in your new ‘home’ such as, travelers groups, a Canadian club, and etc.

Buy a travel book and research before going.

Be open-minded

Participate in culture

Find resources in your new ‘home’ such as, travelers groups, a Canadian club, and etc.

Credits Images taken from my own personal collection as well as from: http://blogs.menupages.com/boston/Hamburger.jpg http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1170000/images/_1172310_ecuador_people_bbc150.jpg http://steph.sicore.org/IMG_9880-tm.jpg http://www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/7/calgary_sc0428.jpg http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/cms_images/navres_images/units/calgary.jpg Information taken from: Gordon, A. (2003) How to Cope with Culture Shock. Retrieved March 6, 2008 from http://studentservices.engr .wisc.edu/international/cultureshock.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock

Images taken from my own personal collection as well as from:

http://blogs.menupages.com/boston/Hamburger.jpg

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1170000/images/_1172310_ecuador_people_bbc150.jpg

http://steph.sicore.org/IMG_9880-tm.jpg

http://www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/7/calgary_sc0428.jpg

http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/cms_images/navres_images/units/calgary.jpg

Information taken from:

Gordon, A. (2003) How to Cope with Culture Shock. Retrieved March 6, 2008 from http://studentservices.engr

.wisc.edu/international/cultureshock.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock