Culture Shock

"Culture shock can be described as the physical and emotional discomfort one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place different from the place of origin."

We can also talk about homesickness, but the culture shock is wilder and is not applied in the same situation.
We talk about culture shock when a person leave is country of origin to live in an another (well, not necessary country, but at least a place where the culture is different).


We can find 5 stages in this culture shock, which can be last more than several years :

Stage 1 - Incubation Stage (honeymoon)
This stage makes me think about a "tourist" stage. As we discover everything, we enjoy everything. In my experience, during the first days, it was so amazing for me to discover all the good sides of Finland : price of bars clubs, sauna, landscapes, lakes, safety in the street and so on...

Stage 2 – denial/defensive stage
This is the most difficult stage. People encounter more and more difficulties in the daily life (language, different behaviors, different systems, different administrations) and has an impression of being "down to the mountain" : a lot of things to learn, to know and to practice to be completely integrated. Some people can not stand this situation and have some symptoms of the culture shock such as : sadness, anger, depression, insomnia, unwillingness to interact with the others and so on


Stage 3 – Adaptation
This is the recovery stage. The man learned how to be integrated in this country, his systems, his language, how this country works. He has now local friends and maybe family. Day-by-day the culture of the country becomes his.


Stage 4 – Integration
Total integration

Stage 5 – ‘Re-entry shock’
This may happen. After few years in a country, a man can have some difficulties to return in his country of origin : a culture can replace an other.

In my experience, it was really interesting to study the culture shock, because I had the impression to live the two first stages. And I will admit that after 6 months in Finland, I am still in the denial/defensive stage.