Our culture is the way we handle the basic problems of living, such as food, shelter, clothing, family organisation, government, law & order, celebrations and religion. Our culture helps us to make sense of the world around us and gives us security. Our cultural beliefs and practices seem so natural and familiar to us that arriving in a new and unfamiliar culture can cause feelings of confusion and isolation.
The more you understand about how cultural values and behaviours can have an impact on interactions, the easier it will be to adjust.
Culture shock describes the range of feelings and symptoms that can occur as a result of moving from a familiar to an unfamiliar culture. It includes the shock of a new environment, meeting lots of new people, and learning the ways of a different country. It also includes the shock of being separated from the important people in your life, maybe family, friends, colleagues, teachers; people you would normally talk to during times of uncertainty, people who give you support and advice.
There are several things that help to minimise the impact of culture shock:
- Simply understanding that this is a normal experience may in itself be helpful.
- Keep in touch with home.
- Have familiar things around you.
- Cook some familiar food.
- Make friends with other international students, who are also likely to experience culture shock.
- Try to make friends with UK students as well and learn more about each other's cultures.
- Link with a faith community.
- Join some of the societies in the city.
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