Cross-Cultural Adjustment

Definition of Culture | Honeymoon | Hostility | Humor | Effective Adjustment | Strategies for Cross-Cultural Adjustment

A Definition of Culture

Culture is the ensemble of patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving particular to a certain country or group of people. When individuals come into contact with a new culture, they often experience a certain level of discomfort, frequently referred to as culture shock. Culture shock implies that individuals, for their own welfare, must develop an understanding of different norms. They find that their previously learned assumptions are not always applicable, and they often discover elements of their own culture that they took for granted. Some researchers (Kieffer, 1987; Kohls, 1979; Lewis & Jungman, 1986; Stewart & Bennett, 1988) contend that cultural adjustment occurs in phases, and that sojourners experience the various phases with differing levels of intensity. You may not experience the phases listed here or in the order listed, but the information should provide a general idea of the personal challenges that await you while studying abroad.

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Honeymoon or Tourist Phase

This phase begins when visitors first encounter the new culture. Like a tourist, individuals may be fascinated by their experiences in a new and different culture. However, their enthusiasm for novelty may soon diminish, especially if favorite comforts are not available. During this phase, individuals tend to filter new experiences through the lens of their home culture and may rely on stereotypes to comprehend the host culture.

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Hostility Phase

After the initial excitement wears off, the sojourner may experience a variety of difficulties in adjusting to the host culture. These difficulties may range from trying to understand the language to difficulties with routine living. Coping mechanisms learned in the home culture fail to accomplish desired results in the new culture. A situation that may have invoked curiosity during the honeymoon phase may now produce feelings of puzzlement, surprise, frustration, embarrassment, or anger. Some individuals may become judgmental about the new culture and express derogatory generalities such as, "They don't like me," "I don't like them," "They can't get anything right over here." During this phase, newcomers may need to temporarily retreat into experiences that are familiar or that remind them of the home culture. They may need to call home or connect with others from the home country to discuss their feelings and thoughts. All of these are healthy coping mechanisms and can give individuals renewed energy to confront cultural differences.

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Humor or "Grin and Bear It" Phase

Gradually, newcomers develop skills to successfully navigate the new culture. They make new friends, begin to relax in their new surroundings, develop confidence, and their sense of humor returns. Experiences that may have produced feelings of embarrassment or anger during the hostility phase are now laughed away. Humor replaces criticism. There is less need to "fight" the host culture, and there is less need to filter the new experiences through the lens of the home culture. Individuals are acquiring new perspectives and cultural insights; they are developing new perceptual lenses.

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Effective Adjustment Phase

Over time, individuals must confront deeper cultural and personal issues. They must continue to study and interact with the host culture to refine their understanding of it. Ultimately, newcomers begin to accept and respect the new culture as just another way of living. The new culture makes sense. They come to feel a greater sense of belonging. Individuals enjoy the host country customs and may genuinely miss the new customs and people when they return to their home culture. Because of the changes that occur in this phase, sojourners often re-cycle through similar adjustment phases upon returning home.

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Strategies for Cross-Cultural Adjustment

Most members of another culture simply want you to try to understand their culture and respect it as it is. This does not necessitate your adopting the host culture as your own, but the adjustment process does involve change. In order to effectively manage that change, the following suggestions are offered:

• Be flexible; tolerate ambiguity; expect things to be different.
   
• Be patient; don't try to understand everything immediately.
   
• Give yourself permission to fail; experiment with new customs.
   
• Develop a sense of humor; don't take things too seriously.
   
• Identify cultural informants who can help you learn.
   
• If problems arise, assume your share of the responsibility.

You can also prepare yourself for culture shock before you go abroad by reading books about the culture, travel guide books, local magazines or newspapers and by meeting people from the country you will be visiting. Try to learn the language and gestures (which are frequently different in other countries). Find out about differences in body language, personal space, manners, etc.

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