Cultural Issues
Cross-cultural Adaptation
Many international students experience "culture shock"-a state of bewilderment and distress experienced by individuals exposed to new, strange or foreign cultures. Culture shock comes in many forms and people experience it in different ways-some with more anxiety than others. Culture shock is a normal reaction to changes in your physical, social and cultural environment. You are not alone in your feelings of distress.
Cycle of Cross-cultural Adaptation
It may help you to know that there is a general cycle of emotional states that a person experiences when entering a new culture, especially if the person intends to remain there for a lengthy period of time. Awareness of these stages differs from person to person and some points of the cycle might be higher or lower in intensity and may last longer or shorter than others. The following stages are taken from the Resource Guide for Foreign Students (University of Oregon, 1986-1987). Understanding the stages in the cycle and realizing that they are normal may help you to adjust to your new environment.
Stages
The initial period is one in which everything is new, exciting and interesting. It is fun to explore the new environment.
After a time you realize that you must work to adjust to the new culture. This work can prove to be stressful and you may experience a strong reaction living in the new culture. You may not be associating with the host culture as you had originally expected. Also, you may miss certain foods and things you have at home that are not available to you now. You may spend a lot of time daydreaming during this period. Moreover, many students feel isolated, irritated, bewildered, depressed or generally uncomfortable.
It is common that individuals who start living in a new and different culture come to a point where they reject the host culture and withdraw into themselves. During this period, they make generalizations about the host culture and wonder how the people can live like they do. You may feel that your culture's lifestyle and customs are far superior to that of your host country.
As a more thorough understanding of the host culture is acquired, you will begin to feel more comfortable in your environment. Everything begins to make more sense. You feel more at home and your self-confidence grows.
At this point you are able to interact effectively in the new cultural environment. You find it easy to move between two cultures.
Research has shown that it is common for international students to experience these same stages of cross-cultural transition when adjusting to life back in their home countries.
Tips to Remember
Make friends with Canadians. Talking with them will help you to better understand this new culture.
Get involved with the activities and events on campus. Depending on your ability to speak, read and write English, you may find yourself spending up to twice as much time studying as your Canadian peers.
Seek help if you find a particular stage in the adjustment process to be overwhelming and seriously affecting your academic progress. Stop by the Student Services Office and talk to the staff there, or talk to your academic supervisor or a friend. The Joy of Stress by Peter G. Hanson is an excellent reference book that may be of help during this period.
