Traveling
is a very nice activity, we all have a special country or city we would like to
visit someday or maybe we would like to live in. Nevertheless, it’s hard to
leave our country (even our own city) and venture to live in a new place. In
psychology, some related phenomena have been defined and one of them has been
called “culture shock” or “traveler syndrome”.
The culture
shock is defined like a personal disorientation that a person may feel when
facing a new context (new country, new culture) and has to experience a new way
of life. Four phases have been described in this phenomenon:
- Honeymoon
phase: in this first moment, the differences are seen like nice and
interesting. This period lasts a few weeks and the person feels delighted with
new places, new food and new way of life.
- Frustration
phase: this second moment appears around three months later, when the
individual feels anxiety about the differences between the old and new culture.
The people in this phase usually experience some changes in their circadian
rhythm, and may get sick. The most important factor is the feeling of
loneliness and lack of communication only worsens that sensation.
- Adjustment
phase: after some time, between six and twelve months, the individual begins to
adapt to new customs, adjusting his behavior to new culture, because he has
learned more things about it. This adjustment allows the individual changes his
attitude about the new culture, because he feels everything makes sense.
- Mastery
phase: in this moment, the individuals feel ready to fully participate in the
host culture. It’s like a bicultural phase, because there are elements from
both old and new culture in the person’s behavior.
I have
never experienced a culture shock, because I have always lived in Santiago and every
time I went to other cities or countries only for vacations.
What about
you?
J
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