Comments on: Why I Hate The Term “Culture Shock”

By: Study Abroad in Argentina

Study Abroad in Argentina — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:12:58 +0000

Some people refer to the first period in a country as “the honeymoon stage”. In this stage, everything seems so beautiful, every change magical and every person a mystery. The honeymoon stage usually ends when the first adversity makes its appearance. That’s when culture shock hits in. You feel you’re on your own, away from home and family members.

Here’s some more info on culture shock and what parents can do to help understand their expat son: http://www.expanishstudyabroad.com/parent-family-guide-parent-family-guide/menu-id-336.html#culture

By: Emmanuelle Archer

Emmanuelle Archer — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:59:35 +0000

@Sezin: Glad that you found the post interesting!
Your observation about culture shock feeling even more ubiquitous – and apparently more intense – when you don’t know where home really is… that’s a fascinating perspective. I would love to discuss that further if you’re interested in sharing your personal experience with us.

I agree that it might be too late to replace the term culture shock, but I’ll keep trying! More than the semantics though, what really matters to me is that expats know it’s OK to feel whatever they’re feeling, without shame or denial. If they feel comfortable using “culture shock”, I don’t have a problem with it. But if I’m working with a client and I can tell that the term gets in the way of their accepting and processing their emotions, then it has to go!

@Sewicked: Culture Whiplash – what a rich metaphor! I like that a lot.
May I borrow it? I have someone in mind for whom “culture shock” doesn’t work and I have a feeling this may be a better fit. I’d love to try your term next time I speak to her.

By: Sewicked

Sewicked — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:16:28 +0000

Culture Whiplash; it’s not like the broken neck of Culture Shock but it hurts and sends you reeling.

By: Sezin

Sezin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:22:39 +0000

Thanks, Emanuelle! Now I see what you mean and indeed it makes a lot of sense. I guess for me I feel that very grand Culture Shock whenever I go anywhere, even if it’s for a weekend. I chalk it up to a lifetime of moving around and now since nowhere really feels like home, everywhere is a shock to my system.

But certainly there are many more expats like what you’ve described who struggle with feeling out of place in so-called normal places and they may not feel the term applies to them even though it does. I’m not sure if there’s a way to replace the words “Culture Shock,” they are so ingrained in the expat and traveller psyche, but maybe through writings such as yours people will begin to expand how they think of it. What do you think?