Immigration: Surviving the Four Phases of Culture Shock in the U.S.

Living abroad can be a thrilling experience; it encourages new world views, increases cultural interest, and supports willingness to explore unfamiliar landscapes. However, it may also invite feeling a little lost in the world.

One of the most common challenges international students face is surviving the four phases of culture shock in the U.S. Culture shock is a common phenomenon and disorientation many people feel when experiencing an entirely new way of life. 

Though it may take months to develop, it often unexpectedly affects visitors and people far from home. Culture shock is more than simply being unfamiliar with social norms or experiencing new foods.

It tends to impact visitors even after they’ve become familiar with and comfortable in new cultures. This article will discuss surviving the four phases of culture shock in the U.S. and some examples of culture shock in the United States.

What Is Culture Shock?

Culture shock refers to feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or anxiety that people may experience when moving to a new country or experiencing a new culture or surroundings.

This cultural adjustment is standard and results from being in an unfamiliar environment. Culture shock can occur when people move to another city or country, go on vacation, travel in retirement, do business, or study abroad.

For instance, international students studying for a semester in another country may experience a cultural adjustment due to an unfamiliarity with the weather, local customs, language, food, and values.

Although the timing of each person’s adjustment process can be different, there are specific phases that most people go through before they adjust to their new environment. Culture shock can be pretty stressful and lead to anxiety, but it’s possible to overcome it and grow as a result.

Symptoms of Culture Shock

Culture shock can produce a range of symptoms, varying significantly from person to person in scope and intensity. These may include:

• Being homesick
• Feeling helpless
• Feeling isolated
• Disorientation
• Lack of concentration
• Irritability
• Sadness
• Sleep or eating disturbances
• Paranoia

The Four Phases of Culture Shock

1. The Honeymoon Phase

The honeymoon phase is when people are thrilled to be in their new environment. They often see it as an adventure.

If someone is on a short stay, this initial excitement may define the entire experience. However, the honeymoon phase for those on a longer-term move eventually ends, even though people expect it to last.

2. The Frustration Phase

People may become increasingly irritated and disoriented as the initial glee of being in a new environment disappears. Fatigue may gradually set in, resulting from misunderstanding other people’s actions, conversations, and ways of doing things.

As a result, people can feel overwhelmed by a new culture at this stage, mainly if there is a language barrier. Local habits can also become increasingly challenging, and previously easy tasks can take longer, leading to exhaustion.

The inability to effectively communicate by interpreting what others mean and making oneself understood is usually the prime source of frustration. This phase can be the most challenging period of cultural shock as some may want to withdraw.

For instance, international students adjusting to life in the United States during study abroad programs can feel angry and anxious. This could sometimes lead to withdrawal from new friends.

Some experience eating and sleeping disorders during this stage and may contemplate going home early.

3. The Adaptation Phase

This phase is often gradual as people feel more at home in their new surroundings. The feelings from the frustration phase begin to subside as people adjust to their new environment.

Although they may still not understand specific cultural cues, people will become more familiar with them, and interpreting them becomes more accessible.

4. The Acceptance Phase

People can experience and enjoy their new home better during the acceptance or recovery phase. Typically, beliefs and attitudes toward their new surroundings improve, leading to increased self-confidence and a return of their sense of humor.

The obstacles and misunderstandings from the frustration phase have usually been resolved. Thereby, people will become more relaxed and happier.

At this stage, most people experience growth and may change their old behaviors and adopt manners from their new culture.

The new culture, beliefs, and attitudes need to be understood entirely. Still, the realization may set in that complete understanding isn’t necessary to function and thrive in new surroundings.

A specific event doesn’t cause culture shock. Instead, it can result from encountering different ways of doing things, being cut off from behavioral cues, questioning your values, and feeling you don’t know the rules.

How to Overcome Culture Shock

• Be open-minded and learn about the new country or culture to understand the reasons for cultural differences.
• Please don’t indulge in thoughts of home, constantly comparing it to the new surroundings.
• Write a journal of your experience, including the positive aspects of the new culture.
• Don’t seal yourself off—be active and socialize with the locals.
• Be honest, in a reasonable way, about feeling disoriented and confused. Ask for advice and help.
• Talk about and share your cultural background—communication runs both ways.

Examples of Culture Shocks In the U.S.

1. Tipping The Serving Staff

Generally, a service charge is included on restaurant bills; tipping your serving personnel may be considered excessive or impolite in some countries.

In contrast, you could see a section on your bill in a U.S. restaurant listing suggesting tipping percentages and their monetary amounts. This could typically range from 15 to 22%.

It could be a culture shock in America, as this practice is impolite in many countries. But, look at the restaurant’s price range before you decide to eat there because you can even discover that your meal is much more expensive than you had anticipated.

Also, remember that tipping your hairdresser, nail technician, delivery person, and other service personnel is considered excellent.

2. Different Public Holidays And Traditions

Many of the most beloved American public holidays are celebrated worldwide: Easter involves a considerable bunny, hand-carved turkeys mark Thanksgiving, and, most importantly, Super Bowl Sunday is marked by everyone focusing on the half-time spectacle.

Others have dates in the U.S. that differ from those in the international market. For instance, Labor Day is observed in most countries on or around May 1; it is observed in the United States on the first Monday in September.

Yet, there are a few that you need to become more familiar with, such as Presidents’ Day and Groundhog Day.

For non-residents experiencing their first encounters with American celebrations and traditions, these American culture shocks can undoubtedly be eye-opening.

3. The Dining Experience Is Rushed

Unless you’re in a relatively upscale restaurant, your main course will come after your appetizer. A server will frequently come over and inquire about how your meal is going and whether they can fetch you anything extra.

For people not used to having their talks interrupted this way, this might be a culture shock in America. However, it indicates that the waiter or waitress is trying to be helpful by asking about your requirements.

Moreover, a server has been designated for your table, so always order all your meals through them.

4. Microwave Is The Key 

You may regret every choice that brought you to this situation the first time you enter your kitchen and discover someone using your microwave to brew tea.

Despite having a separate kettle, rice cooker, and instant pot, many people you know may microwave their ramen, lentils, or even rice.

You may never give in to this habit yourself, but this culture shock in America is widespread. 

5. Unlimited Internet For Everyone Everywhere

While other countries have trouble connecting to the internet, the U.S. has high-speed internet access everywhere. Students studying in the country can connect to unlimited Internet access anywhere, notably on campuses.

They can stream H.D. movies, sporting events, educational films, and other visual content. This can come as a culture shock in America for a lot of Asians, but this is for sure a good practice in America.  

6. Unique Metric System

Many overseas students are accustomed to measuring weight, length, volume, temperature, and other things in kilograms, meters, liters, and degrees Celsius. Nonetheless, they face a culture shock in America if they use a distinct metric system.

The standard measurement units are pounds, feet, and degrees Fahrenheit. Numerous overseas students need help understanding this method.

7. Huge Gaps Between Every Class

In addition to having a convenient class schedule, students also benefit from extensive breaks. This gap was only in many conventional universities for 10 to 15 minutes.

Nonetheless, there may only be one or two classes in the United States each day, with considerable time between them. Many Asian students face this culture shock in America because it goes against their culture.

Conclusion

Culture shock is the best and worst part of adapting to a different country. You like/love some things, and you dislike other things.

But every single cultural difference offers a chance to broaden your horizons. Suddenly, life is new and different, and you see possibilities you never imagined existed!