This document discusses the concept of culture shock, describing the 5 stages of culture shock as identified by anthropologist Kalervo Oberg. The stages are: 1) Honeymoon Phase, where newcomers are excited about everything; 2) Emptiness/Rejection Phase, where problems arise and people start to miss home; 3) Conformist Phase, where people start to accept and engage with their new culture; 4) Assimilation/Complete Phase after about a year, where people feel comfortable and confident in their new environment; and 5) Reverse Culture Shock upon returning home after time abroad as they adjust to changes back home.

2. “A Fish out of Water”
When I changed schools, I felt like a “fish out of water”.
I had no friends, and I had no idea where my classes were.

3. What is a “fish out of water”?
Example 2: When I first came to Vietnam, I didn’t know anything. I
was a fish out of water. After a few weeks though, I felt more
comfortable in the country.

4. “A fish out of water” is usually said about
someone when they feel “out of place” – or they
are not in their usual environment.
Water = a fish’s home….. When it’s ‘out of water’… that means it’s not home. It’s someplace
new.

5. Name a reason people go abroad:

6. People go abroad to:
Travel / Holiday Study
Work
Live in a new place

7. If you were going to study in America next week,
what are some challenges you may have when
you arrive?

8. language
Food
Transportation Directions School system
Supermarkets
Student Life

9. When people move away from many of
their friends and family, how do you
think they feel?

10. Going to a new country can feel very
exciting, but after some time… many
people start to feel homesick.
It’s normal for people to feel “homesick” after they leave their house

11. In 1954, writer Kalervo Oberg, was the first person to use
the term “Culture Shock”, and he wrote about the
5 Stages of Culture Shock
Kalervo was an Anthropologist….this job studies different people and cultures. He traveled
a LOT in his life, so he knew a lot about feeling “Culture Shock”

12. Stage 1: “The Honeymoon Phase”
When people move abroad to live, how do you
think they feel during the “Honeymoon”
phase?

13. Stage 1: “The Honeymoon Phase”
• 0-6 months long (usually)
• newcomers are excited, happy, & feel adventurous
Everything is new,
Everything is exciting
Everything is an adventure
….. but then…

14. Stage 2: “Emptiness / Rejection Phase”
After some excitement, why do you think a person may feel “sad” after
the “honeymoon” phase

15. Stage 2: “Emptiness / Rejection Phase”
• newcomers experience problems with accommodation, transportation,
shopping & communication.
• May start to miss home, family, friends, your country’s food…

16. Stage 3: The “Conformist” phase
“To Conform” to a new culture
means to do what….?

17. Stage 3: The “Conformist” phase
• “To Conform” means to ‘be similar to…’, When newcomers go abroad and
conform to a new culture, that means they understand and accept that
their new life abroad.
• They begin to enjoy / live in a new culture (not just travel)
- after being sad, people start to accept their new country. They start to find their
favorite places to visit, favorite restaurants, and meet new friends.

18. Stage 4: The “Assimilation / Complete” Phase
• 8-12 months…. after moving to a new
country.
How do you think people feel after living
about a year in a new country?

19. Stage 4: The “Assimilation / Complete” Phase
• People in this stage are “used” to their new country, and now – they feel
like everything is normal, “at home”
• People don’t feel like the country is so “new” anymore. They are confident
about directions, food, the language, their work/study…

20. Stage 5: “Reverse” Culture Shock!
After living abroad for at least a year…. what do you think happens when
people return to their home country after so much time away?

21. Stage 5: “Reverse” Culture Shock!
• Person returns to their home country
• They must get used to many changes while they’ve been away.
• They need to remember their “old” life again.