Question 16-20

Culture shock is a common phenomenon and, though it may take months to develop, it often affects travelers and people living far from home in unexpected ways. Culture shock generally moves through four different phases: honeymoon, frustration, adjustment, and acceptance.

The first stage of culture shock is often overwhelmingly positive during which travelers become infatuated with the language, people, and food in their new surroundings. At the honeymoon stage, the trip or move seems like the greatest decision ever made, an exciting adventure to stay on forever.

Frustration may be the most difficult stage of culture shock and is probably familiar to anyone who has lived abroad or who travels frequently. At this stage, the fatigue of not understanding gestures, signs, and the language sets in and miscommunications may be happening frequently.

Frustrations are often subdued as travelers begin to feel more familiar and comfortable with the cultures, people, food and languages of new environments. Navigation becomes easier, friends, and communities of support are established and details of local languages may become more recognizable during the adjustment stage.

Generally - though sometimes weeks, months or years after wrestling with the emotional stages outlined above - the final stage of culture shock is acceptance. Acceptance doesn’t mean that new cultures or environments are completely understood, rather it signifies realization that complete understanding isn’t necessary to function and thrive in the new surroundings.

Though it can be one of the hardest parts of traveling, culture shock is just as integral to the experience as food, people, and scenery. By recognizing it for what it is and finding ways to cope, you can prevent culture shock from ruining an otherwise fantastic experience abroad.

Cultural shock is divided into 4 stages including...................................