Culture Shock

• Culture Shock Definition

  Culture shock is the term used to describe the stresses and strains which accumulate from being forced to meet one's every day needs in unfamiliar ways.

• What Causes Culture Shock?

  Culture Shock is caused by some of the differences between life at home and life in a new place. For example differences in;

  • Language, climate, religion, food, and educational system.
  • How people make decisions, spend their leisure time, resolve conflicts, and express their feelings and emotions.
  • Body language such as the meanings of hand, face and body movements can create confusion and emotional stress.

• Will It Happen to Me?

  To varying degrees Culture Shock happens to almost every international student. The extent to which you will be affected is dependent upon how much past experience you have had with the culture you are entering and the assistance that you will receive from your hosts. (Your Host Family, your College and the People you will be associating with in the community.)

• How Will It Affect Me?

  On the average a person feels shy and afraid to speak for fear of offending someone. Some other reactions you might experience are: feeling isolated or alone, sleeping too much or tiring easily, finding it difficult to sleep, suffering body pains such as a headache and of course wanting to return home.

• What Should I Do About It?

  First , realize that it may not happen to you.
  Second , know that if it does happen to you it is not permanent.
  Third , understand that you will not be alone.

  Your Host Family and CVIC Staff understand and are there to help and encourage you. If you make a mistake, so what! Remember, you are doing things based upon your own cultural experiences and have no way of understanding the differences yet.

• Some Ways To Prepare Yourself (before leaving home)
  • Visit your library to see if there are books, videos, or photographs describing the area you are travelling to, and study them.

  • Research your destination on the Internet. There is a very large amount of information on almost any destination in the world.

  • Contact the Chamber of Commerce located at your destination. Ask them to send you information about the area.

  • Contact the local Tourism Association and ask them for information also.

  • For approximately 3 to 4 days before leaving for your destination try doing everything in English. This is much easier if you have friends or family that can help you.

  • If there are two or more hours of time difference between your home and destination set your watch to your destinations local time. Do this a few days before your departure and it will help you to adjust to the time difference before you arrive.

  • Bring some small things of comfort from your country. For example a good book in your language, photos of your loved ones, a special snack, etc. These things will help you to get through some moments when you may feel a bit homesick or lonely.

  • Our application form may seem quite long. Our purpose is to let you talk about yourself. The more we know about you (in general) the better we can prepare to make your stay with us comfortable and rewarding. So when you are completing it go ahead and say all you want to, and do not worry about your English. Also, do not worry about your privacy. All of our forms use SSL. It enables you to send any of our forms and use 128 bit strong encryption. It all happens automatically without any action from you. Once received, your information is shared with nobody except authorized CVIC personnel.

  • Form clear goals and objectives so that you know what you want to achieve and experience.

  • Most important is to arrive at your destination with an open mind to new experiences and ideas.

• How Long Will It Last?

  It is different for everyone. However, it is not a constant affliction and it does leave you. Just remember these reactions are normal and they are temporary while you adjust to life in a new environment. Also, remember you will not be alone. There will be other students experiencing the same feelings plus you will have a lot of support from your Homestay Family and all the staff at CVIC.

  So send us your application and come join us for an education you will value and use for a lifetime.