Local Travel Tip

I am headed off to Seoul, Korea. I have never been to Korea before and am excited to be able to see first hand the unique culture. This got me thinking, what exactly is culture shock and how do we deal with it?

Culture shock refers to the anxiety and feelings felt when people have to operate within a different and unknown cultural or social environment.

It can appear in feelings of shock, surprise, disorientation, uncertainty or confusion when in a foreign place. Culture shock is the difficulties one experiences when assimilating into a new culture.

One may start having difficulty knowing what is appropriate and what is not. This is often combined, with a dislike for or even disgust with certain aspects of the new or different culture.

There are three phases of culture shock:

• Honeymoon Phase – During this period the differences between the old and new culture are seen in a romantic light, wonderful and new. Like many honeymoons this stage eventually ends.
• Negotiation Phase – This is when differences between the old and new culture become apparent and may create anxiety. One may long for food the way it is prepared in one’s native country, may find the pace of life too fast or slow, may find the people’s habits annoying, disgusting, and irritating etc. This phase is often marked by mood swings caused by minor issues or without apparent reason. During this stage excitement often turns to disappointment
• Adjustment Phase – Again, after some time (usually 6 – 12 months), one grows accustomed to the new culture and develops routines. One knows what to expect in most situations and the host country no longer feels all that new.

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