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| Culture Shock Many people suffer from culture shock during their stay in Japan. How serious this may become depends on many factors. There are well-defined steps of cultural adjustment. Being able to recognize and understand whatfs happening to you should help make the process easier. This information should also allow you to help your friends when they have some of these experiences. Stage 1 The Honeymoon Initially, people are very excited and pleased by their experiences in the new culture. The differences with their home cultures are fascinating. Usually however, what they are noticing are relatively superficial differences. In this stage, you soon become aware of how important it is to keep your eyes open, be observant, and try to figure out what is going on. This can be extremely tiring. Stage 2 Initial Shock This period is characterized by homesickness - missing friends, family, food, etc. You may sleep a great deal and want to spend time with people from your own country, speaking your own language and cooking and eating your own food. You may seem confused or frustrated or overwhelmed with the demands put on you by your new situation. You may even withdraw from friends and school life. Stage 3 Superficial Adjustment Learning enough Japanese and enough about Japanese culture to fulfill your desires makes you better able to cope with your problems and emotions. You feel good about your ability to survive. You slip into a regular routine, but donft want to do too many new things. Stage 4 Depression and Isolation If there are only a few people around from your home culture, you may go into a serious depression. This may also happen with people who have a limited amount of experience away from home and parents before coming here. How realistic your expectations were when you chose to come here has a lot to do with the severity of this stage of culture shock. You may give up completely and feel hopeless about learning Japanese or understanding Japanese culture. Your self-esteem and identity may seem threatened by some of the deeper differences in values and beliefs. If you find you are staying in your apartment too much or have stopped participating in the ALT community activities completely, reach out and ask for help. Call a friend or counselor. If you notice this behaviour in one of your friends, try to find out gently whatfs going on and how you can help. Some people may even feel rebellious at this stage. Stage 5 -Integration With a little help, you will come to feel comfortable with the Japanese culture and the ALT lifestyle. You begin to accept and make use of the differences in cultures. You will try to find acceptable alternatives to those behaviours Japanese find hard to accept. You may begin making real Japanese friends and show more self-confidence. Itfs important to realize that none of these stages are permanent. You may make great progress one week and then slide back to a more difficult stage the next. Having someone to talk to who is a good listener is often the difference between success and failure in a new culture. *Please feel free to call Shidoka or the CIRs if you need someone to talk to* |