Hasan travelled a lot through his school years and describes always being in a “state of culture shock”, but this helped him to become more adaptable in different situations. Culture shock doesn’t just happen when we move to a country, it can also happen as we move through different stages of our lives, whether we move for a job, for education or even just into our own place.
Although a culture shock can present a range of challenges at the time, from making new friends, learning new languages, learning new routines, research suggests that culture shock can actually have some long-lasting benefits. For example:
1. Culture shock breaks you out of your routine
We all have our daily ways of doing things. It’s neither good nor bad, but sometimes it can feel stale. The good news is, travel can change almost every aspect of that daily routine because other countries don’t work exactly like your home country.
If you move to a new country or choose to study in a different city or country, for instance, you might find that wake up times, recreation activities, or daily meals look nothing like what you’re used to. If you’re set in your ways, these changes to your daily routine can be really jarring. If you’re flexible in your outlook, then you might enjoy the challenge of finding a new place to get coffee, for instance.
The break from your daily routine can broaden your horizons by showing you what else is possible….and what you might do differently to have the life you want.
2. Culture shock builds self-confidence
Moving to a new country or community can be disorienting, especially if you don’t speak the language well. You’ve got to sink or swim. You will probably make a few mistakes and learn from them as you adapt to a new environment and that’s ok!
You will probably find out that the consequences aren’t as bad as you imagined when you feared, say, ordering the wrong item due to language skills.
After a move, be it school to University, into a new job or even around the globe don’t be surprised if you are not the same person you were when you left. You’ll become more worldly and self-confident as a result of the challenges you overcame.
3. Culture shock leads to friends from different backgrounds
As the old saying goes, strangers are simply friends that you haven’t yet met.
In the early stages of culture shock, people often feel lonely and disoriented as they acclimate to a new country. The best antidote to these blues is to socialize with others – friendly locals or fellow students!
Exploring a new city, country or even university campus together, you will soon break down cultural boundaries and come to call these people your friends. Travel often and you will soon find friends all over the world, who may be eager to host you on a visit to their home country.
4. Culture shock keeps you interesting
Broadening our horizons by experiencing new cultures and ways of life keeps you interesting – both because it gives you a ready supply of “funny stories” and because it’s constantly exposing you to new places and ideas.
You never know what new concepts and ideas you are exposed to as a result of exposing yourself to new environments that really come to influence your personality.
In the early stages of culture shock, it may feel like you will never acclimate to daily life in your new home community. Hang in there and one day you will be surprised to find that you are comfortable with your new routine and connected to others in your community.
