Most people who move to a foreign country or culture may experience a period of time when they feel very homesick and have a lot of stress .This feeling is often called‘culture shock’ . There are four general stages of cultural adjustment.
The first stage is usually referred to as the excitement stage. Upon arriving in a new environment, you’ll be interested in the new culture, everything will seem exciting, everyone will seem friendly and helpful and you’ll be overwhelmed(不知所措) with impressions. and you have little meaningful experience of the culture.
The second stage is sometimes called the withdrawal stage. The excitement you felt before changes to frustration (沮丧)as you find it difficult to deal with the problems that arise. simple things like shopping and going to the bank are challenges. It is at this stage that you are likely to feel anxious homesick. .
Culture shock doesn’t exist long. You gradually get into the‘recovery’ stage. At this point, you’ll have a routine, and you’ll feel less lonely as you start to understand and accept the way things are done and the way people behave in your new environment. Customs and traditions are clearer and easier to understand.
The last stage is the ‘home’ stage – this is the point when people start to feel at home in the new culture.
There is a fifth stage to this process. If you decide to return home after a long period in a new culture, you may experience what is called ‘reverse culture shock’. you may notice things about your home culture that you had never noticed before, and some of the ways people do things may seem strange.
A.It is a great challenge to learn the totally new culture. |
B.This is the stage which is referred to as “culture shock” |
C.During this stage you are taking in these impressions passively |
D.Some people experience “culture shock” more sharply than others. |
E. This means that you may find aspects of your own culture “foreign”
F. At this stage ,you’ll deal with new challenges with humor rather than anxiety.
G. It’s important to learn how to deal with it if you’re to adapt to the new culture.