Introduction
The world is so big that trying to conceptualize its size, even in the most general of terms is intimidating, to say the least. But globalization has shrunk this size metaphorically. Today we find so many people moving across boundaries and assimilating in foreign cultures. It is in this scenario that one also comes across the term culture shock so often. The term was coined by anthropologist Kalervo Oberg in the 1950s. Culture moves in mysterious ways. Therefore the way it leaves a deep impact on its environment is noteworthy.
Discussion
The definition of culture shock is the trauma you experience when you move into a culture different from your home culture. It may be a communication problem that involves the frustrations that come with the lack of understanding; the verbal and nonverbal communication of the new culture.
The origin of culture shock is not very abrupt. As one comes into a new country or society the initial phase seems very exciting. A person tends to overlook the little cultural gaps and tries moving on in the new environment. When issues become major and cannot be ignored further, a person tries to adjust to the prevailing circumstances. Slowly the excitement changes to disappointment and it becomes difficult to drag the adjustment baggage any further. This might make a person develop acute sadness, loneliness, bouts of anger and in some cases depression. One might even become insomniac, have low self-esteem and feel powerless, exploited and abused and vulnerable in a foreign context. Though most people fight back and adjust very well in the new environment more often than not, yet the intermediate phase of culture shock sometimes does irreparable damage to their psyche.
Focus statement
It was in the context of culture shock that I conducted a survey on people who had migrated to London. My questions ranged from asking them their experience of culture shock to effectively dealing with it.
Dealing with cultural gaps depends on one’s chronological age. In fact sometimes young minds adjust better in a new environment due to their flexible attitudes and at other times it might just be the opposite. So an idea of their age gives a better indication of their reaction to a situation. Asking respondents of their previous place of residence gives a clear picture to compare the diversity of their background. Someone who would have moved to a new country for the first time would have different behavior patterns as compared to someone who has come to a foreign country for the first time. An insight into this information further clarifies the course of action.
Conclusion
A question on culture shock experiences brings forth the reasons for the same. These may range from a difference in the physical environment to major differences at the ideological level. Such an observation would make the analysis deep and substantial. Since culture shock in most cases is just a passing phase, therefore respondents’ fighting back techniques would be worth a probe. This would not only emphasize the adjustment phase of the culture shock process but also give me a deeper understanding of another category who never adapts to their new ambience.
On the whole an analytical survey would both reinforce as well as break notions about the concept of culture shock.