Cultural Adjustment

Berkeley is one of the more culturally diverse cities across the U.S. Here, you will find students and visitors alike, from different origins, ethnicities, cultures, and peoples around the world. Despite this cosmopolitan orientation, if you are new in town, you may still feel like a stranger in a strange land, whether you come from a different country or a different American city.

Cultural Adaptation
Adapting to a new environment takes time and the speed of transition varies from person to person. The typical pattern of cultural adjustment often consists of distinct phases: Honeymoon, Crisis, Recovery and Adjustment. This cycle is then repeated upon re-entry to one's country or culture of origin. The effect these phases have on one's mood are illustrated in this "w-curve" figure:

culture

The Crisis phase is what is often termed as "culture shock." Culture shock has been defined in different ways by many social scientists. In general, it is a term used to describe the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment. It grows out of the difficulties in assimilating the new culture, causing difficulty in knowing what is appropriate and what is not. Often this is combined with strong disgust (moral or aesthetical) about certain aspects of the new or different culture. Culture shock does not necessarily occur suddenly, but may gradually begin to affect a person's moods over time. The length of time a person experiences culture shock depends on how long they stay in the new environment as well as their level of self-awareness.

Symptoms of Culture Shock
Culture shock manifests itself in different forms with different people but some symptoms can be:

changes in eating habits and sleeping habits
acute homesickness; calling home much more often than usual
being hostile/complaining all the time about the host country/culture
irritability, sadness, depression
frequent frustration; being easily angered
self doubts; sense of failure
recurrent illness
withdrawing from friends or other people and/or activities

The Recovery Phase
Recovering from culture shock can have positive effects, like increasing self-confidence and helping improve self-motivation. As you gradually begin to feel more comfortable in the new environment, you will feel more like expanding your social networks and exploring new ideas. You will feel more flexible and objective about your experience, learning to accept parts of the new culture for yourself while holding onto your own cultural traditions.

Suggestions for easing the transition:

Realize that what you are going through is normal. Remember that the unpleasant feelings are temporary, natural and common to any transition that a person makes during their life. Be patient and give yourself time to work through the process.

Keep in touch with your home country. Read newspapers from home, international magazines etc. Watch international television channels or surf the internet. Call home regularly. Have familiar things around you that have personal meaning, such as photographs or ornaments. Find a supplier of familiar foods or visit restaurants that are similar to your home cuisine.

Take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep!

Talk to someone. Find friends who are going through a similar process, call your family back home, or see a counselor. The University Health Services has trained counselors from many cultural backgrounds who can help you through the difficult parts of cultural adaptation. In the U.S., it is very common to talk with a counselor about problems or difficulties. Take advantage of the resources available to you at the University.

Have fun and relax! Join I-House. Join student groups. Get out of your room and volunteer to help others. Take up a new sport at the RSF. Participate in activities, clubs and student organizations of interest to you.

Improve your English skills. Cultural adaptation is greatly enhanced by perfecting your English skills. Not being able to clearly communicate can create isolation and loneliness. Make a point to join activities that give you the opportunity to share in conversation and express your identity.


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Home Students Prospective Students New Students Current Students Exchange Students Practical Training Students Summer Students Returning Students Professors & Researchers Prospective J-1 H-1B TN O-1 Permanent Residents B-1/B-2 Visa Waiver Family UCB Departments Students J-1 Researchers & Faculty H-1B Staff TN Staff O-1 Staff B-1/B-2 Visitors Visa Waiver Visitors Permanent Residents Living at Berkeley Transportation Housing Money Health & Safety Legal Resources Cultural Adjustment Travel & Visas Programs & Workshops Calendar Resource Links About Berkeley International Office Staff Contact US	See also American Culture: Myths and Realities Berkeley is one of the more culturally diverse cities across the U.S. Here, you will find students and visitors alike, from different origins, ethnicities, cultures, and peoples around the world. Despite this cosmopolitan orientation, if you are new in town, you may still feel like a stranger in a strange land, whether you come from a different country or a different American city. Cultural Adaptation Adapting to a new environment takes time and the speed of transition varies from person to person. The typical pattern of cultural adjustment often consists of distinct phases: Honeymoon, Crisis, Recovery and Adjustment. This cycle is then repeated upon re-entry to one's country or culture of origin. The effect these phases have on one's mood are illustrated in this "w-curve" figure: The Crisis phase is what is often termed as "culture shock." Culture shock has been defined in different ways by many social scientists. In general, it is a term used to describe the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment. It grows out of the difficulties in assimilating the new culture, causing difficulty in knowing what is appropriate and what is not. Often this is combined with strong disgust (moral or aesthetical) about certain aspects of the new or different culture. Culture shock does not necessarily occur suddenly, but may gradually begin to affect a person's moods over time. The length of time a person experiences culture shock depends on how long they stay in the new environment as well as their level of self-awareness. Symptoms of Culture Shock Culture shock manifests itself in different forms with different people but some symptoms can be: changes in eating habits and sleeping habits acute homesickness; calling home much more often than usual being hostile/complaining all the time about the host country/culture irritability, sadness, depression frequent frustration; being easily angered self doubts; sense of failure recurrent illness withdrawing from friends or other people and/or activities The Recovery Phase Recovering from culture shock can have positive effects, like increasing self-confidence and helping improve self-motivation. As you gradually begin to feel more comfortable in the new environment, you will feel more like expanding your social networks and exploring new ideas. You will feel more flexible and objective about your experience, learning to accept parts of the new culture for yourself while holding onto your own cultural traditions. Suggestions for easing the transition: Realize that what you are going through is normal. Remember that the unpleasant feelings are temporary, natural and common to any transition that a person makes during their life. Be patient and give yourself time to work through the process. Keep in touch with your home country. Read newspapers from home, international magazines etc. Watch international television channels or surf the internet. Call home regularly. Have familiar things around you that have personal meaning, such as photographs or ornaments. Find a supplier of familiar foods or visit restaurants that are similar to your home cuisine. Take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep! Talk to someone. Find friends who are going through a similar process, call your family back home, or see a counselor. The University Health Services has trained counselors from many cultural backgrounds who can help you through the difficult parts of cultural adaptation. In the U.S., it is very common to talk with a counselor about problems or difficulties. Take advantage of the resources available to you at the University. Have fun and relax! Join I-House. Join student groups. Get out of your room and volunteer to help others. Take up a new sport at the RSF. Participate in activities, clubs and student organizations of interest to you. Improve your English skills. Cultural adaptation is greatly enhanced by perfecting your English skills. Not being able to clearly communicate can create isolation and loneliness. Make a point to join activities that give you the opportunity to share in conversation and express your identity.