Homesickness or culture shock

Surf-uind pe net am gasit o chestie ff interesanta despre socul cultural resimtit de cei care pleaca de acasa.


Studying in another country/culture can create anxiety often due to a mild degree of homesickness or culture shock. Culture chock is the name given to a feeling of disorientation or confusion that often occurs when a person leaves a familiar place and moves to an unfamiliar place.
The people talk in a strange language and look different. University rules are different and the way of studying is strange and difficult. Your family and friends are very far away. As a result of all this you may feel confused, unsure of yourself and you have some doubts about the wisdom of your decision to come here.

Culture chock can be said to develop over 5 different stages:
1. “Honeymoon” stage where everything is new and exciting
2. You start to experience difficulties with everyday things as they are different from home, such as language barrier, getting the right food etc.
3. You slowly start to understand the new culture you are in and feel more in balance. You feel an urge to belong
4. You start to discover that there are both good and bad sides to this new culture and can maybe even see this new culture in comparison to your own.
5. “Re- entry-shock”. This stage takes place when you return to your home country and suddenly find out that you have brought back something with you, namely something that suddenly makes you see your own culture with more critical eyes. This can be difficult to come to terms with.

Typical symptoms of culture shock (especially in stage 2)
• Boredom, loneliness
• Allergies, pain
• Obsession with own health
• Sleeplessness, excessive need of sleep
• Mood changes, depression, powerlessness
• Anger, animosity against other people
• Identification and idealisation of old culture
• Trying to absorb everything within the new culture too fast
• Not capable of solving even the most simple problems
• Loss of self-confidence
• Insecurity
• Development of stereotypes in the new culture
• Strong longing for family and friends back home
• Feeling overlooked

If you should experience the above and have a sudden feeling of loneliness or sadness, talking to a friend or your buddy at the university might help. You are also welcome to come and talk to the Student Counsellor or the Student Chaplain

Ideas that may be helpful in dealing with culture shock:
• Maintain your perspective – many people have been here before you and survived (even when they arrived in the middle of cold and dark winter).
• Evaluate your experiences – your reactions to the university, the people. If you find yourself feeling confused or disappointed about something, ask yourself, “What did I expect?” “Why?” “Was my expectation reasonable?” If you determine that your expectations were unreasonable you can do much to reduce the amount of dissatisfaction you feel.
• Keep an open mind – People might not say or do things that people at home would do or say. But the people act according to their own set of values, not yours. Try to avoid evaluating their behaviour using the standards you would use in your own country.
• Learn from experience - moving to a new culture can be the most fascinating and educational experience of your life. There is no better way to become aware of your own values and attitudes or to broaden your point of view.
• Visit the International Office or the International Student Counsellor. Discussion with one of the advisers can help in achieving a perspective on culture shock and the learning possibilities it implies.


****However, you should be aware that the waiting time for a consultation is up to 2-3 weeks (oare este coada?!) but you can always get a consultation in a critical situation.