Stages of Culture Shock
The image depicts the range of emotions one encounters when adjusting to a new culture. Recognizing what stage you currently fall under and reminding yourself that everybody experiences similar emotions can help create a more smooth cultural adjustment process.
Just as students experience cultural adjustment when first arriving in France, many experience a similar sensation upon their return home. Recognizing that certain challenges may come up and allowing yourself time to readjust to life back home is critical to successfully transitioning from one place to another.
Common Challenges and Potential Solutions
- Boredom: Channel new interests; Get re-involved in old organizations and find new ones; Attend events and lectures related to new interests from studying abroad; Make new friends and connect to other resources, such as the study abroad office; Explore your city with the same curiosity you had while abroad.
- Frustration when discussing time abroad: Prepare two different answers for the question “How was it?”, one for those who have studied abroad (longer & more detailed) and one for everyone else (short & sweet, maybe even generic); It’s normal for it to feel hard to explain; Connect with others who have had a similar experience and/or maybe going through a similar transition; Find a creative outlet.
- Reverse Homesickness: Bring parts of France back home, such as celebrating French holidays, making French dishes, and maintaining new positive habits from your time abroad. Utilize your university to find others interested in connecting over a shared interest in France as well. Use your city to replicate things you did and enjoyed in France, like finding a French restaurant, cafe, or a nice park; Maintain relationships from time abroad.
- Relationships you had before feel different now: Recognize that time didn’t stand still while you were away and new changes are normal; Share your new passions with others, such as preparing a French meal or watching a French movie; Get some one-on-one time with close friends and family; Don’t forget that relationships go both ways– LISTEN as much as you speak.
- People see “wrong” changes or misunderstand you: Explain changes in yourself with patience and humility; Try to not focus on the negative but instead remember why you were friends in the first place; Find new common ground; Reach out to other abroad returnees and/or IAU-ACM friends.
- Feeling alienated from and critical of home: Remember that you’re going through culture shock just as you did when you arrived in France; Call home ‘home’ for a reason; Open your eyes to all of the unique things and new cultural experiences all around you; Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of both cultures without judgment; Reach out to other returnees and/or IAU-ACM friends.
- Feeling of inability to apply new skills: Any skill can be applied on a smaller scale every day; Find outlets to practice French, such as local language partners and university French department events; Recognize ways you can practice cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity on a smaller day-to-day scale.
- Loss/compartmentalization of experience: Keep up with IAU and ACM through the alumni network and social media; Maintain relationships from France and IAU-ACM; Incorporate the ‘French’ you into your life back home.
The STAMPED Podcast
The STAMPED podcast is one of the winners of the Diversity Abroad 2020 Innovation Competition: “The STAMPED podcast is designed to bring you episodes that highlight the study abroad stories of Black/African American students and individuals of color. Occasionally, we’ll also be joined by travelers whose experiences have proven to be meaningful and influential in their lives today! Join us to hear how these travelers overcame fears, confronted their identity abroad, pursued careers in international education and so much more! “