CULTURE SHOCK

CULTURE SHOCK

A Paper

Present to Fulfill the Requirement

of the Task of Cross Cultural Understanding

PREFACE

             Thanks to God and we always pray to Allah SWT who has given grace and His gift and merciful to us so we are able to finish and complete the paper on time based on our lesson Cross Cultural Understanding.

            This paper contains information about Cross Cultural Understanding generally and specifically about Culture Shock as our focus material in the 4th semester at State Islamic College Jurai Siwo Metro and it is as our group examination.

            We realize that this paper is far from perfect, therefore criticism and suggestions from all stakeholders that are built for the perfection we always hope for it.

            Finally, we say thank you to all those who have participated in the preparation of this paper from beginning to end. May Allah always be pleased with all our efforts and it can be used for others.

            Special thanks to our beloved lecturer Mrs. Eka Yuniasih, M.Pd. who has teaches us in the fourth semester and this paper is dedicated to her.

                                                                                                                     Metro, May 2014

  

                                                                                                            The Writer

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A.    Background of the Studies

       The word culture has many different meanings.  For some it refers to an appreciation of good literature, music, art, and food.  For a biologist, it is likely to be a colony of bacteria or other microorganisms growing in a nutrient medium in a laboratory Petri dish.  However, for anthropologists and other behavioral scientists, culture is the full range of learned human behavior patterns.  The term was first used in this way by the pioneer English Anthropologist Edward B. Tylor in his book, Primitive Culture, published in 1871.  Tylor said that culture is "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society."  Of course, it is not limited to men.  Women possess and create it as well.  Since Tylor's time, the concept of culture has become the central focus of anthropology.

    Culture is a powerful human tool for survival, but it is a fragile phenomenon.  It is constantly changing and easily lost because it exists only in our minds.  Our written languages, governments, buildings, and other man-made things are merely the products of culture.  They are not culture in themselves.  For this reason, archaeologists can not dig up culture directly in their excavations.  The broken pots and other artifacts of ancient people that they uncover are only material remains that reflect cultural patterns--they are things that were made and used through cultural knowledge and skills.

   Culture shock is a very real experience for many people who move to another country. Culture shock used to describe the emotional roller coaster that someone experiences when living in a new country. Anyone who has lived or studied or even traveled extensively in another country has tasted and lived through culture shock and that has worked and lived in a foreign country will experience culture shock of some sort. At the time it may feel more like homesickness, but what most people who haven't undergone any kind of pre-adaptation program don't know is that there are several stages one goes through when adjusting to a new language and culture.

B.     Formulation of The Problem

1.      What is the definition of culture shock?

2.      What is the symptom of culture shock?

3.      What is the stage of culture shock?

4.      What is the example of culture shock?

C.    Purpose of Writing

1.      To know what is the definition of culture shock.

2.      To know what is the symtom of culture shock.

3.      To know what is the stage of culture shock.

4.      To know what is the example of culture shock.

  

CHAPTER II

DISCUSSION

      A.    The Definition of Culture Shock

           The online Oxford Dictionary defines culture shock as disorientation experienced when suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture or way of life. When you move to a new country, everything is unfamiliar; weather, landscape, language, food, dress, social roles, values, customs and communication - basically, everything you're used to is no longer in place. You'll find that the day unfolds differently, that business is conducted in a way that may be hard to understand, the stores are opened and closed at hours that you could never predict. Your patterns are off-kilter, the smells, sounds and tastes are unusual and you can't communicate with the locals - not even to buy a lot of bread.

            Culture shock is a very real experience for many people who move to another country. Culture shock used to describe the emotional rollercoaster that someone experiences when living in a new country. Anyone who has lived or studied or even travelled extensively in another country has tasted and lived through culture shock and that has worked and lived in a foreign country will experience culture shock of some sort. At the time it may feel more like homesickness, but what most people who haven't undergone any kind of pre-adaptation program don't know is that there are several stages one goes through when adjusting to a new language and culture.

            Culture shock is in fact a serious phenomenon and a long-winded process, and thus definitely a force to be reckoned with when moving abroad. Depending on personality and circumstances, some people might find it easier to adjust to another culture than others. In its milder forms, it can even go by virtually unnoticed. As an expat, however, you are unlikely to escape it completely. Its effects can be severe, and in some cases they are even are responsible for expat assignments being terminated prematurely. Fortunately, it is possible to prepare yourself for this phenomenon in its various stages so that it doesn’t hit you unexpectedly.

            Culture shock affects anyone from business personnel and their families, to EFL teachers to sports stars. Recognising culture shock is an important way of being able to deal with it. Dealing with it helps minimise the risk of becoming disillusioned with a new country and the possibility of deciding that a quick return 'home' is the only solution. Experts agree that culture shock has stages and all agree that once people get beyond the initial and most difficult stages, life in a new country becomes a lot better.

    B.    The Symptom of Culture Shock

            Because culture shock is often considered to be primarily a psychosocial condition, its link to various physical ailments may be overlooked. Yet it’s widely accepted that the mental and emotional exertion needed to make sense of the new culture has a direct effect on the body’s physiological functions.

The physical symptoms of culture shock include:

·         A feeling of sadness and loneliness.

·         An over-concern about your health.

·         Headaches, pains, and allergies.

·         Insomnia or sleeping too much.

·         Feelings of anger, depression, vulnerability.

·         Idealizing your own culture.

·         Trying too hard to adapt by becoming obsessed with the new culture.

·         The smallest problems seem overwhelming.

·         Feeling shy or insecure.

·         Become obsessed with cleanliness.

·         Overwhelming sense of homesickness.

·         Feeling lost or confused.

·         Questioning your decision to move to this place.

       Not every physical problem can be attributed to culture shock, of course. Moving abroad can be hard on your health, especially in the early weeks, while your body is still adjusting to the new environment. Jetlag wreaks havoc with sleeping patterns, heat and humidity affect energy levels, and eating unfamiliar foods may trigger gastrointestinal distress. Environmental issues such as unclean water, food shortages, disease-carrying insects, and poor air quality can cause ailments that range in severity from mild to extremely serious.

       Culture shock is the bane of many expatriates. Ordinarily competent people are surprised and dismayed to find themselves unable to function in their new cultural environment, without fully understanding why. Working through culture shock isn’t a linear process, and unfortunately, there’s no fixed timeline for getting over it. However, acknowledging its existence and recognizing its many symptoms is a good place to start.

   C.     The Stages Of Culture Shock

1.      Honeymoon Period

     While preparing to relocate and during the first days or weeks in the new country, a person will experience a Honeymoon Period during which he or she will feel extreme joy and enthusiasm. Responding to the new environment with fascination, an individual will enjoy the differences in fashion, food, social customs, etc. This period is exhilarating, full of observation and discoveries, lasting a few days to a few weeks. Like most honeymoons, however, this stage eventually ends.

2.      Rejection

      The next phase of Culture Shock Syndrome is referred to as the period of Rejection. This stage is marked by criticism, resentment, and anger. When an individual sets out to study, live or work in a new country, he or she will invariably experience difficulties with language, housing, friends, schoolwork, and understanding the idiosyncrasies of the local culture, often resulting in frustration. The Rejection period can be triggered by the realization that, as an outsider in a new culture, language or misunderstandings of cultural cues can often make the simplest task seem like a daunting challenge. Furthermore, because the high expectations set during the Honeymoon Period appear much farther out of reach, the individual feels disillusioned.

3.      Regression & Isolation

      The extreme letdown experienced during the Rejection Period prompts the individual to become critical of his new environment--of the people, their culture, and of all the perceived differences with the culture at home. This letdown often propels an individual into the stage of Regression & Isolation. In this stage, the culture from which the individual has come is idealized. For example, an Italian student studying in the U.S. for a semester may indiscriminately view his Italian university, past experiences or friendships as superior, regardless of any problems inherent to those relationships. The student risks further isolation from the new environment. Symptoms exhibited during this period include anxiety, sadness, homesickness, and anger. These feelings manifest themselves in changes in behavior: inappropriate anger over slight delays and minor frustrations, changes in sleep patterns, compulsive eating and/or drinking, irritability, poor concentration, and unexplainable crying. The stage of Rejection and Regression is variable in length but can last up to 6-8 weeks.

4.      Adjustment & Adaptation

      Gradually the crisis of regression and isolation is resolved allowing the individual to begin recovery in the Adjustment & Adaptation stages. To resolve these feelings, the individual has to employ particular skills and resources essential for adjustment, as described in Coping with Culture Shock.

    D.    The Example of Culture Shock

1.      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.

2.      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 selfcatering 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.

3.      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.

4.      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.

5.      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.

6.      '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 8 pm means arriving at 8 pm. But if you are invited to visit someone’s home for dinner at 8 pm, 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 8 pm probably means any time from 9.30 on wards! These subtle differences can be difficult to grasp and can contribute to culture shock.

7.      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.

  

CHAPTER III

CLOSING

      A.    Conclusion

            Culture shock is a very real experience for many people who move to another country. Culture shock used to describe the emotional roller coaster that someone experiences when living in a new country. Culture shock is in fact a serious phenomenon and a long-winded process, and thus definitely a force to be reckoned with when moving abroad.

            The physical symptoms of culture shock include:

·         A feeling of sadness and loneliness.

·         An over-concern about your health.

·         Headaches, pains, and allergies.

·         Insomnia or sleeping too much.

·         Feelings of anger, depression, vulnerability.

·         Idealizing your own culture.

·         Trying too hard to adapt by becoming obsessed with the new culture.

·         The smallest problems seem overwhelming.

·         Feeling shy or insecure.

·         Become obsessed with cleanliness.

·         Overwhelming sense of homesickness.

·         Feeling lost or confused.

·         Questioning your decision to move to this place.

                  There are 4^th stages of culture shock:

1.      Honeymoon Period

2.      Rejection

3.      Regression & Isolation

4.      Adjustment & Adaptation

The Example of Culture Shock:

1.      Climate

2.      Food

3.      Language

4.      Dress

5.      Social Roles

6.      ‘Rules’ of Behaviour

7.      Values