Adapting to a
different culture can at times be a slow and difficult process, leaving behind
support networks such as families and friends can often leave globetrotters
vulnerable to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. There is
no specific known cause for difficulty in adapting to a new culture and may be
influenced by personal characteristics and may include themes such as: The
reasons for moving to another country, overstress resulting from the
accumulation of adjustment demands, feeling of loss resulting from the
detachment from familiar surroundings, feeling of rejection by members of the
host culture, uncertainty regarding one’s own identity and role, overwhelmed
regarding the dimension of differences and helplessness because of missed possibilities.
Change, although
at times painful is often an opportunity to grow as we are pushed outside of
our comfort zone. As the saying goes, “ships are safest in the harbour, but
that’s not what ships are for”. Being forewarned about the processes of
cultural adjustment can help us to understand what we may be going through and go
some way in explaining any difficulties we may be experiencing.
One of the best
known theoretical models to describe the process of cultural adjustment is that
of anthropologist Kalervo Oberg. In 1960 he published “Cultural Shock:
Adjustment to new cultural environments”, where he outlined a four stage
cultural adjustment model, also known as the U-curve model.
Stage 1: The honeymoon
In this stage
immigrants are excited about the prospect of change. The unfamiliarity of
everything is a novelty, minor setbacks are ignored and cultural differences
are seen as charming quirks. In this stage, people tend to be curious, willing
to learn, accepting and open minded.
Stage 2: Crisis or culture shock
In this stage the
proverbial bucket of cold water is thrown on any idealised concepts we may have
towards the host culture. As daily monotony sets in, one becomes aware of
difficulties imposed by the language barrier. Calling a plumber can become a
major linguistic problem as we have to find new resources other than relying on
good old Yellow Pages. The things that we first found charming about the host
culture become annoying and unbelievably complicated and we can start to feel
frustrated and misunderstood. This can lead to a lack of self esteem,
loneliness and homesickness. At this stage it is usual to disproportionately
value all things related to the country of origin and to totally reject things
from the host country.
This is a key
moment for any cultural adjustment and one that everyone usually goes through. In
this phase it is essential to find people in the same situation, try and
connect with ex-pat social clubs, participate in sporting or cultural
activities, read newspapers in your native language and generally get involved.
This will help to realise that any insecurity that you may feel are due to your
present social context and nothing to do with you as a person. Remember, this phase
will pass if you stick it out.
Stage 3: Adjustment
Things now begin
to seem familiar, the route to work, how to manage the underground system, you
may even have a favourite bar where you have breakfast in the morning. You may
once again begin to appreciate things about your new country, the weather, the
countryside etc... Of course it won’t all be roses in this stage and one of its
characteristics is an ambivalent love hate relationship with the host culture. This
is a turning point where we begin to understand better both the language and
the culture and can begin to accept without having to make comparisons with how
we remember our country of origin. There may now be greater interaction as day
to day activities increasingly involve people of the host culture, thus
reducing the “us- them” dichotomy. If you are at this stage you have come a
long way and are well on your way to integrating into the host culture. This is
a good moment to fine tune your language skills and to participate in
culturally diverse activities.
Stage 4: Mastery
This is the stage
where we become completely at home in our new environment, but at the same time
recognising our own cultural differences. We can accept other cultures without
the need to judge. We feel comfortable with who we are and what our culture is,
but also recognise that our new culture makes us all that richer as
people. We don’t loose our original
culture and become our new culture, but begin to negotiate from a third
position or a “third space” according to (Homi Bhabha 1990), where we accept
our cultural differences and feel comfortable with ourselves and our place in
our new environment. Here we realise that it’s not about being right or wrong
and this gives us the gift of choice; we can choose what new things we wish to
take onboard and what we wish to retain, without worrying about loosing our
sense of identity.
These stages should
not be thought of as lineal but more circular, life has the habit of getting in
the way of our best laid plans and emergencies or crisis can send us from stage
4: Mastery, straight back to stage 2: Crisis/ Culture shock. But forewarned
with this knowledge we will be better placed to cope with it.
Schneider and
Barsoux (2003, p.190) identified the following main competencies considered
crucial for cultural adjustment:
Linguistic
ability: helps establish contact especially “bits of conversational currency”
(local expressions, information, and interests).
Motivation to
live abroad (cultural curiosity): key ingredient to a successful adaption
of expatriates and their families, genuine interest in other cultures and new
experiences.
Tolerance for uncertainty
and ambiguity: circumstances change unexpectedly, behaviour and reactions of
local people can be unpredictable,
acknowledging that uncertainty and ambiguity exist (not everything is straight
forward).
Patience and
respect: respect towards the new culture without benchmarking it against the
home culture, instead trying to understand local reasons for the way things
happen.
Cultural empathy:
appreciating thoughts, feelings, and experiences of others, focused listening
and a non-judgemental approach.
Strong sense of
self (or ego strength): a healthy narcissism necessary to allow
inter-action with another culture without fear of losing one’s own identity,
enabling the expatriate to be self-critical and open to feedback.
Sense of humour:
important as a coping mechanism and for relationship building, and to buffer
frustration, uncertainty and confusion.
