ABSTRACT

Learning a language is also mean learning its culture.

However, not every country has the same culture. We
need to, somehow, understand the culture in order to
open our mind and see things from a wider perspective.
Have a fun reading!! ^,^

Na’im K. Ihsan
Speak Up! Speaking for Lyfe

CULTURE SHOCK
C
ulture shock is a common
phenomenon, and it often
affects travelers and people
living far from home in unexpected
ways. It is the surprise of a new
environment, with new people and
a new way of life. In addition,
culture shock is more than simply
being unfamiliar with social norms
or experiencing new foods, and it
tends to impact travelers even
after they have become familiar
with and comfortable in new
cultures. According to Global
Perspective, there are four stages
of culture shock.
1.1 The Honeymoon
Stage
Hold on, here we are
not going to talk about the
real honeymoon. Then,
why we call it The
Honeymoon Stage? This
stage shows us that most
travelers or students in an
exchange program which
actually experience good
and beautiful things. For
example, you are in love
to a food, people, culture
or language in your new
surroundings.
1.2 The Frustration
Stage
This stage is, by far,
the most difficult stage for
any travelers or people
who experience culture
shock. People who
experience fatigue of not
understanding gestures,
signs and the language
will be set in a the world a better place.
miscommunication. Small
things which can also
trigger a frustration such
as losing keys, missing the
bus or not being able to
order food in a restaurant
will make travelers or
people who live abroad
feel the frustration stage.
1.3 The Adjustment
Stage
When you have
spent some times in the
unfamiliar country with all
of its unfamiliar things,
you will finally recognize
small things you probably
missed during The
Frustration Stage. You will
no longer feel homesick
and finally find friends
who can help you.
Furthermore, you will
begin feeling comfortable
with the people, food,
surroundings, cultures,
and so on.
1.4 The Acceptance
Stage
It does not mean
that you will, somehow,
finally be able to accept
everything from the
country or place you are
unfamiliar with previously,
but rather having a power
to overcome the obstacles
mentioned previously. You
will finally feel that not all
the same thing will work
properly. Furthermore,
you will see that unity in
diversity is what makes
 On the other hand, there are
some elements which make
travelers or people who live abroad
experience a culture shock.
First, language. Well, we are
talking about language. Language
cannot be defined as a simple
term. It has so many definitions yet
people still cannot find and decide
which one is the most suited term
for it. Living in a foreign place with
different language from your own
might leave you shocked for a
couple of days or even months. The
overwhelming feeling of
experiencing lesson that you do
not get at school will make you
depressed and frustrated.
Second, climate. The earth is
round. Climate change in every
places in this beloved planet. Some
people may feel easy with hot, but
for some other, it does not work
the same. You will face so many
problems if you cannot get used to
the different weather.
Fourth, values. Remember
the saying, what you belief is what
you belief? This is what living
overseas looks like. There might be
a difference belief from what you
belief. If you stick with your only
perspective, you will no longer be
able to live harmonize with people
in your surroundings. Accept that
people live with their own belief.
Then, you will feel a lot happier.
Fifth, etiquette and behavior.
Here is the thing, every culture has
its unspoken rules that govern how
people interact with and treat one
another. You need to be careful
when you live in different country
or place. Their etiquette might
differ from yours.
Culture shock can also give
you another perspective of life. It
can help you grow and make you
wiser.

Third, food. Food is one of

the crucial factors in our life.
Without food, what can we do?
Living abroad where the cuisine
might differ from one another, you
will find a difficult time to eat.
Perhaps, the composition of the
food is same. However, the taste
must be so different, and if you
cannot deal with it, you may start
feeling depressed and forget your
diet. Also, if you cannot cook, you
probably look for a fast food. This
might be a little bit troublesome for
some people.