CULTURE SHOCK & INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
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Food: You may find British food strange. It may taste different, or be cooked differently, or it may seem bland or heavy
compared to what you are used to. If you are in self-catering accommodation and unused to cooking for yourself, you may
find yourself relying on “fast” food instead of your usual diet. Try to find a supplier of familiar food, and eat plenty of fresh fruit
and vegetables.
Language: Constantly listening and speaking in a foreign language is tiring. If English is not your first language, you may find
that you miss your familiar language which at home would have been part of your everyday environment. Even if you are a
fluent English speaker it is possible that the regional accents you discover when you arrive in the UK will make the language
harder to understand. People may also speak quickly and you may feel embarrassed to ask them to repeat what
they have said.
Dress: If you come from a warm climate, you may find it uncomfortable to wear heavy winter clothing. Not all students will find
the British style of dress different but, for some, it may seem immodest, unattractive, comical or simply drab.
Social roles: Social behaviours may confuse, surprise or offend you. For example you may find people appear cold and distant
or always in a hurry. This may be particularly likely in the centre of large cities. Or you may be surprised to see
couples holding hands and kissing in public. You may find the relationships between men and women more formal or less
formal than you are used to, as well as differences in same sex social contact and relationships.
‘Rules’ of behaviour
As well as the obvious things that hit you immediately when you arrive, such as sights, sounds, smells and tastes, every
culture has unspoken rules which affect the way people treat each other. These may be less obvious but sooner or later you
will
probably encounter them and once again the effect may be disorientating. For example there will be differences in the ways
people decide what is important, how tasks are allocated and how time is observed. The British generally have a
reputation for punctuality. In business and academic life keeping to time is important. You should always be on time for
lectures, classes, and meetings with academic and administrative staff. If you are going to be late for a meeting do try to let
whoever you are meeting know. Social life is a little more complicated. Arranging to meet to see a film at 8pm means arriving at
8pm. But if you are invited to visit someone’s home for dinner at 8pm, you should probably aim to arrive at about ten minutes
after eight, but not later than about twenty past. When going to a student party an invitation for 8pm probably means any time
from 9.30 onwards! These subtle differences can be difficult to grasp and can contribute to culture shock.
Values: Although you may first become aware of cultural differences in your physical environment, e.g. food, dress, behaviour,
you may also come to notice that people from other cultures may have very different views of the world from yours.
Cultures are built on deeply-embedded sets of values, norms, assumptions and beliefs. It can be surprising and sometimes
distressing to find that people do not share some of your most deeply held ideas, as most of us take our core values and
beliefs for granted and assume they are universally held. As far as possible, try to suspend judgment until you understand
how parts of a culture fit together into a coherent whole. Try to see what people say or do in the context of their own culture’
s norms. This will help you to understand how other people see your behaviour, as well as how to understand theirs. When
you understand both cultures, you will probably find some aspects of each that you like and others that you don’t.
A MODEL OF CULTURE SHOCK: The process of culture shock can be illustrated by a model known as the “W” curve. This
model may not relate to your experience or only partially. Sometimes the process is
faster or slower. Many people go through different phases of the process of adjustment several times, so parts of the curve in
the diagram may repeat themselves. For instance, at significant times such as important family dates or festivals you may feel
distressed or lonely, while at other times you feel quite settled. However, many people have reported that this model has
reflected something of their experience and they have found it helpful to realise they are not the only ones to have had these
feelings. The process can be broken down into 5 stages:
1. The “honeymoon” stage: When you first arrive in a new culture, differences are intriguing and you may feel excited,
stimulated and curious. At this stage you are still protected by the close memory of your home culture.
2. The “distress” stage: A little later, differences create an impact and you may feel confused, isolated or inadequate as
cultural differences intrude and familiar supports (eg family or friends) are not immediately available.
3. “Re-integration” stage: Next you may reject the differences you encounter. You may feel angry or frustrated, or hostile to
the new culture. At this stage you may be conscious mainly of how much you dislike it compared to home. Don’t worry, as this
is quite a healthy reaction. You are reconnecting with what you value about yourself and your own culture.
4. “Autonomy” stage: Differences and similarities are accepted. You may feel relaxed, confident, more like an old hand as you
become more familiar with situations and feel well able to cope with new situations based on your growing experience.
5. “Independence” stage: Differences and similarities are valued and important. You may feel full of potential and able to trust
yourself in all kinds of situations. Most situations become enjoyable and you are able to make choices according to your
preferences and values.
compared to what you are used to. If you are in self-catering accommodation and unused to cooking for yourself, you may
find yourself relying on “fast” food instead of your usual diet. Try to find a supplier of familiar food, and eat plenty of fresh fruit
and vegetables.
Language: Constantly listening and speaking in a foreign language is tiring. If English is not your first language, you may find
that you miss your familiar language which at home would have been part of your everyday environment. Even if you are a
fluent English speaker it is possible that the regional accents you discover when you arrive in the UK will make the language
harder to understand. People may also speak quickly and you may feel embarrassed to ask them to repeat what
they have said.
Dress: If you come from a warm climate, you may find it uncomfortable to wear heavy winter clothing. Not all students will find
the British style of dress different but, for some, it may seem immodest, unattractive, comical or simply drab.
Social roles: Social behaviours may confuse, surprise or offend you. For example you may find people appear cold and distant
or always in a hurry. This may be particularly likely in the centre of large cities. Or you may be surprised to see
couples holding hands and kissing in public. You may find the relationships between men and women more formal or less
formal than you are used to, as well as differences in same sex social contact and relationships.
‘Rules’ of behaviour
As well as the obvious things that hit you immediately when you arrive, such as sights, sounds, smells and tastes, every
culture has unspoken rules which affect the way people treat each other. These may be less obvious but sooner or later you
will
probably encounter them and once again the effect may be disorientating. For example there will be differences in the ways
people decide what is important, how tasks are allocated and how time is observed. The British generally have a
reputation for punctuality. In business and academic life keeping to time is important. You should always be on time for
lectures, classes, and meetings with academic and administrative staff. If you are going to be late for a meeting do try to let
whoever you are meeting know. Social life is a little more complicated. Arranging to meet to see a film at 8pm means arriving at
8pm. But if you are invited to visit someone’s home for dinner at 8pm, you should probably aim to arrive at about ten minutes
after eight, but not later than about twenty past. When going to a student party an invitation for 8pm probably means any time
from 9.30 onwards! These subtle differences can be difficult to grasp and can contribute to culture shock.
Values: Although you may first become aware of cultural differences in your physical environment, e.g. food, dress, behaviour,
you may also come to notice that people from other cultures may have very different views of the world from yours.
Cultures are built on deeply-embedded sets of values, norms, assumptions and beliefs. It can be surprising and sometimes
distressing to find that people do not share some of your most deeply held ideas, as most of us take our core values and
beliefs for granted and assume they are universally held. As far as possible, try to suspend judgment until you understand
how parts of a culture fit together into a coherent whole. Try to see what people say or do in the context of their own culture’
s norms. This will help you to understand how other people see your behaviour, as well as how to understand theirs. When
you understand both cultures, you will probably find some aspects of each that you like and others that you don’t.
A MODEL OF CULTURE SHOCK: The process of culture shock can be illustrated by a model known as the “W” curve. This
model may not relate to your experience or only partially. Sometimes the process is
faster or slower. Many people go through different phases of the process of adjustment several times, so parts of the curve in
the diagram may repeat themselves. For instance, at significant times such as important family dates or festivals you may feel
distressed or lonely, while at other times you feel quite settled. However, many people have reported that this model has
reflected something of their experience and they have found it helpful to realise they are not the only ones to have had these
feelings. The process can be broken down into 5 stages:
1. The “honeymoon” stage: When you first arrive in a new culture, differences are intriguing and you may feel excited,
stimulated and curious. At this stage you are still protected by the close memory of your home culture.
2. The “distress” stage: A little later, differences create an impact and you may feel confused, isolated or inadequate as
cultural differences intrude and familiar supports (eg family or friends) are not immediately available.
3. “Re-integration” stage: Next you may reject the differences you encounter. You may feel angry or frustrated, or hostile to
the new culture. At this stage you may be conscious mainly of how much you dislike it compared to home. Don’t worry, as this
is quite a healthy reaction. You are reconnecting with what you value about yourself and your own culture.
4. “Autonomy” stage: Differences and similarities are accepted. You may feel relaxed, confident, more like an old hand as you
become more familiar with situations and feel well able to cope with new situations based on your growing experience.
5. “Independence” stage: Differences and similarities are valued and important. You may feel full of potential and able to trust
yourself in all kinds of situations. Most situations become enjoyable and you are able to make choices according to your
preferences and values.
SOME OF THE EFFECTS OF CULTURE SHOCK
Some of the symptoms of culture shock can be worrying themselves. For example, you may find your health is affected and
you may get headaches or stomach aches or you may start worrying about your health more than previously. You may find it
difficult to concentrate and as a result find it harder to focus on your course work. Other people find they become more irritable
or tearful and generally their emotions seem more changeable. All of these effects can in themselves increase your anxiety.
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF
Though culture shock is normally a temporary phase, it is important to know there are things you can do to help so that some
of these worrying effects can be minimised. Don’t feel “this is not going to happen to me”. Culture shock can hit you
whatever culture you come from and however experienced or well-travelled you are. Simply understanding that this is a normal
experience may in itself be helpful.
Above all find some one to talk to who will listen uncritically and with understanding, rather than isolating yourself.
Some of the symptoms of culture shock can be worrying themselves. For example, you may find your health is affected and
you may get headaches or stomach aches or you may start worrying about your health more than previously. You may find it
difficult to concentrate and as a result find it harder to focus on your course work. Other people find they become more irritable
or tearful and generally their emotions seem more changeable. All of these effects can in themselves increase your anxiety.
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF
Though culture shock is normally a temporary phase, it is important to know there are things you can do to help so that some
of these worrying effects can be minimised. Don’t feel “this is not going to happen to me”. Culture shock can hit you
whatever culture you come from and however experienced or well-travelled you are. Simply understanding that this is a normal
experience may in itself be helpful.
- Keep in touch with home. There are several ways you may be able to do this: for example telephone, letter, fax, email.
Several telephone companies offer greatly reduced charges for international calls. Check your Student Services,
Students’ Union or International Office for information. If you live close enough to travel home at weekends, it is a good
idea not to go home too often as this will make settling more difficult.
- Have familiar things around you that have personal meaning, such as photographs or ornaments.
- Find a supplier of familiar food if you can. Your student adviser or a student society may be able to help. Eat a healthy
and balanced diet.
- Take regular exercise. As well as being good for your health it can be a way of meeting people.
- Make friends with international students, whether from your own culture or from others, as they will understand what you’
re feeling and, if possible, make friends with the local students so you can learn more about each others culture. Be
prepared to take the first step and find activities which will give you a common interest with UK students e.g. sports,
music or volunteering. - Take advantage of all the help that is offered by your institution. In particular, the orientation programme offered by most
colleges and universities can be a valuable way of meeting people and finding out about things that can help you.
- Use the university or college services, where there will be professional and experienced staff. For example the health
service, the counselling service, the International Office or hall wardens will provide a friendly, listening ear. Even if at
home you would'nt consider such steps, in the UK it is quite normal and they may help when your familiar helpers are
missing. If you are finding settling down difficult, your personal tutor probably also needs to know. She or he may be able
to help, particularly with adjusting to a different academic system.
- Investigate the Students’ Union and its societies. There may be an opportunity to learn a new sport or activity or
continue an interest from home. A further advantage is that these societies bring together students from different
courses and countries with a shared interest. There are often national societies that will celebrate significant occasions
such as Chinese New Year or Thanksgiving. For UK students, student societies can be one of the many ways of making
new friends.
Above all find some one to talk to who will listen uncritically and with understanding, rather than isolating yourself.
Leaving home and travelling to study in a new country can
be a stressful experience. Even though it may be something
you have planned and prepared for, the extent of the
change and the effects it has on you may take you by
surprise.If you find that you are surprised by the effects of
the change, it might be helpful to realise that your
experience is quite normal. This applies whatever country
you come from, and wherever you are going to study, even
though some cultures are
more similar than others because of geographic, historic,
demographic and other connections.
WHAT IS CULTURE SHOCK?
“Culture shock” describes the impact of moving from a
familiar culture to one which is unfamiliar. It is an experience
described by people who have travelled abroad to work, live
or study; it can be felt to a certain extent even when abroad
on holiday. It can affect anyone, including international
students. It includes the shock of a new environment,
meeting lots of new people and learning the ways of a
different country. It also includes the shock of being
separated from the important people in your life, maybe
family, friends, colleagues, teachers: people you would
normally talk to at times of uncertainty, people who give you
support and guidance. When familiar sights, sounds, smells
or tastes are no longer there you can miss them very much.
If you are tired and jet-lagged when you arrive small things
can be upsetting and out of all proportion to their real
significance. The following are some of the elements that
contribute to culture shock:
Climate: Many students find that the British climate affects
them a lot. You may be used to a much warmer climate, or
you may just find the greyness and dampness, especially
during the winter months, difficult to get used to.
be a stressful experience. Even though it may be something
you have planned and prepared for, the extent of the
change and the effects it has on you may take you by
surprise.If you find that you are surprised by the effects of
the change, it might be helpful to realise that your
experience is quite normal. This applies whatever country
you come from, and wherever you are going to study, even
though some cultures are
more similar than others because of geographic, historic,
demographic and other connections.
WHAT IS CULTURE SHOCK?
“Culture shock” describes the impact of moving from a
familiar culture to one which is unfamiliar. It is an experience
described by people who have travelled abroad to work, live
or study; it can be felt to a certain extent even when abroad
on holiday. It can affect anyone, including international
students. It includes the shock of a new environment,
meeting lots of new people and learning the ways of a
different country. It also includes the shock of being
separated from the important people in your life, maybe
family, friends, colleagues, teachers: people you would
normally talk to at times of uncertainty, people who give you
support and guidance. When familiar sights, sounds, smells
or tastes are no longer there you can miss them very much.
If you are tired and jet-lagged when you arrive small things
can be upsetting and out of all proportion to their real
significance. The following are some of the elements that
contribute to culture shock:
Climate: Many students find that the British climate affects
them a lot. You may be used to a much warmer climate, or
you may just find the greyness and dampness, especially
during the winter months, difficult to get used to.