Wednesday

Dealing with Culture Shock

Task 1:

Write a two-three paragraph essay describing your experience with culture shock, then list the ways you have personally done or will do or overcome it. Try to answer these questions:

1. Did you know about culture shock before?
2. How did you feel about reading on that topic?
3. Was learning about culture shock in class helpful for you?

Culture shock is a very interesting topic that I learnt in class today. When I read this article about culture shock, I feel that this article is my life story. I would like to share some stories to everyone based on the four stages of culture shock.

Firstly, when I arrived in Canada, I felt so excited. Everything was new to me and everything was settled, so I didn’t have to worry about anything. Therefore, I was in the honeymoon stage at the first year in Canada. Then, I jumped to the frustrated stage because of my family’s financial problem. I didn’t have enough money to go to the university and my parents didn’t want me to give up, so I tried my best to survive in this situation. It took me two years to face the reality and get use to the life I had.  Afterward, I went through the third stage when I went back school. I started to manage my time in order to work and study altogether. After I graduated and met my husband, the last stage came to me. I felt that I had a home in Canada finally. I began to enjoy the life I have.

Culture shock is different to everyone. In the class, this topic helps me understand other people’s feeling to culture shock. I learn that how the others react when they encounter the culture shock. We get to know each other and we share the experience together. As a result, the best way to face culture shock is that people should never give up.

Task 2:Write an email to a friend here advising him/her on how to move on from Stage Two to Stage Three. List all the suggestions or recommendation you can propose to them.

  Hey Sophie: 

        I am sorry to hear that you have been through a lot for the last two years. I know that it is not easy to be away from home and your family. And also, I know that you have been tried hard in order to overcome this situation. However, I have to tell you that I totally understand you, because I have the same experience of being in a different country as you. This is culture shock. You are in the stage two which is frustrate stage. It will take some time to move on the third stage which is acceptance stage. Let me tell you something that I did when I felt the same way you were. 
No 1. Keep yourself busy
No 2. Talk to someone through either email or phone
No 3. Study their language in order to know their culture
No 4. Set some goals for yourself or looking for the motivation you have
No 5. Make friends to build the networking
I hope that will help you in future and I would like to tell you more if you have any other questions.

Best wishes
Monique