Culture shock! How to deal with it?

If you are moving to another country, one of the first things you will notice is the change in culture. Culture Shock is a real thing and almost every second person has to face it when they move abroad. Gladly, the culture shock can be overcome after a few times but only when the right approach is taken.

as per the leading Moving APT long distance moving companies, you must understand ‘Culture Shock” to effectively deal with it. There are different phases of culture shock which are important to be known. Once you know culture shock and its various phases, you can easily deal with it and overcome it.

5 stages of Culture shock:

There are 5 different stages of Culture Shock that experts state one must know before moving to a foreign country. these stages include:

Honeymoon stage:

This is the first experience you have in a foreign country. As soon as you reach a new place, you are too excited and eager to explore the city. This is the phase where you have several plans and ideas to make your life better in the new place.

Negotiation phase:

As the name suggests, this stage is when the reality hits you and you try to negotiate with a range of things. people usually become homesick and feel burdened while doing even the simplest of the tasks. Everything appears to be a challenge as you have to make a fresh start and a lot of adjustment which is a big change to accept. Moreover, there are language barriers which make things more complex. You might also get a cold shoulder from the locals because of the lack of communication.

Stereotype:

If you start developing stereotypes, you may find it even tougher to overcome culture shock. Instead of adapting to the new culture, you will start suffering from it. One makes stereotypes when they have to satisfy their egos.

Have a positive attitude:

Having the right attitude can help you significantly during this stage. whether you fail or succeed is dependent on how your attitude is. if you can deal with the day to day challenges of adapting to a new place, it is only possible with a positive attitude. In this period, people have three types of reactions:

1- Rejecters: This is when you find that it is tough to adjust to the new culture and start isolating yourself. these types of people considering returning as the only way to deal with the situation in hand.

2- Adopters: These are people who adapt to a new culture completely while losing their original identity. These are the people who think to stay in the new country forever.

3- Cosmopolitans: These are the top leaders who respect the culture of the host country while maintaining their own identity. These people are open to relocating back home or staying in the host country for a significant time.

Adjustment phase:

yes, you start adjusting now. This phase comes after you spend a good 6-12 months in the new country and start developing your instinct and liking for the country. you settle down in your new home and start liking your new routine. most of the people develop great rapport with the locals and learn new things. when you reach this place, you have no boundaries set for how long you can live in the host country.

Reverse culture shock:

this is the exact opposite to Culture Shock and is a stage that occurs when you return to the home country after spending significant time in the foreign country. just like you had to face many challenges when you reached the foreign country, you will have to handle the challenges of returning to your home town.

Countering culture shock:

There are several ways one can try to counter-culture shock and adjust to a new life in a new country. here are some of the most effective ways:

• learn the local language and be able to communicate with the local people without any hassles.
• Make your mind to face cultural differences. The culture would change in the new place and you must stay prepared for it.
• Maintain patience as you meet new people and get exposed to new environments. It will take some time before you get accustomed to the new things.

Now that you are ready to face culture shock it is time that you focus on your moving process. decide the best place you can move to and get a new start in life. you will be amazed to know how many opportunities come your way when you move to a foreign country with a great attitude. The way you deal with culture shock can make or break your moving experience. Hope this guide helps you in dealing with culture shock in the most impressive way.