Culture Shock

Prepare yourself for whatever is coming is important for a sea change in your life - study and live in another country for at least one year. You may have read this from my own blog or somewhere else, but it is still interesting to bring the topic up because it will generate thousands of funny stories and awkward situations that you have ever been in. I will share some of mine and hope you guys will share yours. There were embarrassing times but there is no embarrassment to talk about it. We LEARN from all that. Here it goes!

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Culture shock refers to the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, uncertainty, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country. It grows out of the difficulties in assimilating the new culture, causing difficulty in knowing what is appropriate and what is not. This is often combined a dislike for or even disgust (moral or aesthetical) with certain aspects of the new or different culture. The term was introduced for the first time in 1954 by Kalvero Oberg.
Phases of culture shock The shock (of moving to a foreign country) often consists of distinct phases, though not everyone passes through these phases and not everyone is in the new culture long enough to pass through all three[1] :

• The "Honeymoon Phase" - During this period the differences between the old and new culture are seen in a romantic light, wonderful and new. For example, in moving to a new country, an individual might love the new foods, the pace of the life, the people's habits, the buildings and so on.
• The "Negotiation Phase" - After a few days, weeks, or months, minor differences between the old and new culture are resolved. One may long for food the way it is prepared in one's native country, may find the pace of life too fast or slow, may find the people's habits annoying, etc.
• The "Everything is OK" phase - Again, after a few days, weeks, or months, one grows accustomed to the new culture's differences and develops routines. By this point, one no longer reacts to the new culture positively or negatively, because it no longer feels like a new culture. One becomes concerned with basic living again, as one was in their original culture.
• Reverse Culture Shock - Returning to one's home culture after growing accustomed to a new one can produce the same effects as described above.

In some cases, it may be impossible to deal with culture shock. Some people will give up on assimilating into the newer culture and return to their own culture, and some become so magnetized to the foreign culture that feel they must permanently move there to relieve the stress.
Coping with culture shock
Experienced travelers tend to cope much better with the difficulties of travel. Some common strategies used to make the transition easier are:[2] :

• Reading about the country and its culture before departing. This way, the country and its people are more familiar upon arrival. They then become aware of differences in the new country and are thus better prepared to deal with them when possible (e.g., differences in hygiene, culture, the water).
• Avoiding being offended, offending locals, or being engaged in any more general cultural misunderstanding; they familiarize themselves with local customs and language.
• Being open-minded about the culture they visit.
• Taking a 'time out' or rest apart from cultural exchange in order to reduce the 'shock' of adjustment.

Religions play an important part in this case. The culture shock feeling, in many circumstances, grows because of the different religions.
Some intercultural communication researchers claim that culture shock has many positive effects on intercultural sojourners, like increasing self-efficiency[3] and helping improve self-motivation.[4]
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock
Further reading: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/CGuanipa/cultshok.htm

To Readers and My Dear Friends!

As a little kid, I always dreamed about studying in a more developed countries like the United States, the UK, or Australia. People say it is a golden chance to open your eyes, make the best out of yourself, and optimize your opportunities. It is true in most cases. I am lucky enough to have lived that dream of mine. So are many of my friends. I know there are millions of Vietnamese young students pursuing the same dream. That is why I think having them sharing their experience with a different education system will be helpful for themselves and for other students who want to follow the path. Writing about your own experience is a good way of reflection. It makes you put things in the chronological order and possibly realize the momentum and the outcomes. For me, it makes me realize how hard I have been working to go through all this and become kinda proud of myself. In other works, it is a little ego booster!

To my friends:

I am sure you are busy with your studies and work as you have always been. But for the good cause, I am asking you to sit down and think and write about your experience with your school and life in another country. I bet you can write a novel out of it if you have time. You can always write a short blog one at a time and send it to me. I will post it up on your behalf and give you the credit, of course! You may have many people contacting you asking the same questions, you can point them to this blog. I open the blog for non-googlers and non-members also.

Thanks for your support! I will keep you updated with the postings and comments.

Cheers, my friends!