Culture shock is a condition that affects people who travel to a country different from their own. The term describes a traveler’s feelings of bewilderment when the environment and culture change from the one that he or she is familiar with. The unfamiliar surroundings, foreign language and strange habits of a new country can all contribute to a feeling of uneasiness and confusion.
It is not only those who who travel and live abroad who get Culture shock. Any change in surroundings can bring about these feelings. If a person leaves home for the first time and goes to college, for example, then the new environment and new experiences may be a shock to the system.
Although culture shock is a state of mind, it can result in many symptoms, both physical and mental. Anyone who has moved from home for the first time or to a new city is probably familiar with the immediate feeling of bewilderment and sometimes loss. Sadness and loss, however temporary, are only natural when living in a new place far from home. The mind needs time to familiarize itself with new surroundings and new ways of life.
Some people experience physical symptoms as well. They may feel ill or suffer from sleeplessness or mood swings. Although homesickness is considered a state of mind, it can bring about symptoms such as irritability and a short temper when confronted with confusion over a new culture.
If living in a new country, the best way for someone to deal with culture shock is to integrate slowly. He should be aware that everyday tasks may be completely different from the way they were back home. A simple task, such as ordering a meal in a restaurant, may require learning a whole set of new social skills. The feeling of excitement upon entering a new country can soon dissipate as a whole new set of life skills must be acquired.
The biggest shock most people receive is when traveling from the Western world to Third World countries. Most people are only used to seeing images of shocking poverty through their television screens. Once a person have driven along a road to find an entire family living on the roadside, however, the poverty becomes incredibly real. The realities of the lives of people in the developing world, when compared to conditions in the Western world, are likely to bring about the biggest shock a traveler can experience.