Settling into a new environment is both exciting and challenging, especially when that new environment contains a new and different culture. Change for many of us is a stimulating part of our lives.
However, change can cause stress when we are
- cut off from familiar cultural cues and patterns, especially the subtle, indirect ways you normally have to express feelings. All the nuances and shades of meaning that you understand instinctively and use to make your life comprehensible are missing or different.
- living and/or working over an extended period of time in a situation that is uncertain or undefined.
- continually put into a situation where you are expected to function with maximum skill and speed yet the rules have not been adequately explained.
As globalization has accelerated, more and more individuals and families find themselves relocating to another country, mostly through employment assignments and some on their own. What happens when you find yourself uprooted from the familiar and needing to adjust to living in the unfamiliar? Over the last several years, researchers in cultural anthropology, psychology and other disciplines have been studying the challenges and adjustments an expatriate faces and have discovered some common themes.
There is an identifiable, natural sequence in adapting to new surroundings and there are distinct stages of personal adjustment that most people experience. Understanding the sequence of change and learning what to expect as normal is the beginning of successful adaptation.
Typically there are four phases in the process of cultural adaptation. Each of these phases has a range of emotions. Individuals may experience all or some of these phases.
Recognizing these phases and emotions will help to alleviate stress that can lead to problems now or in the future and help you to become a truly international person.
“Interculturally effective individuals and families usually have a rare combination of prized personal and interpersonal skills, are likeable, and are generally happier people. They can easily relocate and adapt to living and working in different cultural contexts.”
Sana Hafez, Intercultural Specialist.
What are some of the attributes of an interculturally effective individual?
- tolerance, especially of differences
- low goal, task orientation
- open-mindedness
- objectivity
- empathy
- ability to communicate
- flexibility and adaptability
- curiosity
- sense of humor
- warmth in human relationships
- motivation
- self-reliance
- strong sense of self
- perceptiveness
- ability to fail and learn from failure
CHILDREN
It is important to remember that children are not immune to culture shock. If Mom and Dad view living overseas as an opportunity, their children will most likely have similar attitudes.
Regular family discussions and open communication will help to make your cross-cultural living experience a rewarding and memorable one for the whole family.