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Foreigners > Living in Taiwan : Culture Shock

Culture Shock

What is Culture Shock?

Culture Shock is a term used to describe the anxiety produced when a person moves to a completely new environment. This term expresses the lack of direction, the feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do things in a new environment, and not knowing what is appropriate or inappropriate. The feeling of culture shock can usually set in after the first few weeks of arriving in a new country.

English In Taiwan would like to guide you through some of the stages you may recognize and how you can fight it. Culture shock can be described as the physical and emotional discomfort one suffers when living in another country or place different from his or her place of origin. Usually, the way that we lived before is not accepted or considered normal in the new country. Everything is different, for example, not speaking the language, not knowing how to use simple everyday items such as banking machines, telephones, or knowing how to take a bus. 

Learning the symptoms and knowing ahead of time of how to prepare and deal with culture shock can make it a lot easier to overcome. The symptoms of cultural shock can appear at different times, below are some of the symptoms you should look out for:  

  • Insomnia, or a desire to sleep too much or too little.
  • Changes in your temperament, getting angry easily at things that usually wouldn't bother you, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless.
  • You have a preoccupation with your health.
  • You start having aches, pains, stomachaches, headaches, or allergies that you usually didn't have.
  • Anger, irritability, resentment, and an unwillingness to interact with other people.
  • A feeling of sadness or loneliness.
  • A feeling of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused.
  • Identifying only with your own culture and comparing Taiwan negatively to your own country.
  • You wish you were home and have a strong longing for your family and friends back in your country.
  • Unable to solve simple problems.
  • You are trying too hard to absorb everything in the new about the culture in Taiwan.
  • Feelings of inadequacy, lack of confidence, insecurity, loss of identity, not fitting in, and doubting your ability to succeed.
  • You start developing stereotypes about Taiwan's culture and the country.
  • You may start developing different obsessions such as; over-cleanliness.
  • You feel you can’t have a normal conversation with anyone.
  • Having a feeling of helplessness, and thinking you need help from people in your own country.
  • Being afraid to do new things or go to new places.

Stages of Culture Shock

Culture shock also has many stages. Each one of these stages can be ongoing or only appear at certain times. We have listed the 5 stages of culture shock below. For foreigners who are staying a shorter period of time in Taiwan you may just experience the first 2 to 3 stages of culture shock.

Stage 1 ( honeymoon stage)

In this first stage, the you may feel exhilarated and pleased by all of the new things encountered. The new things you encounter in Taiwan are new and exciting at first, everything is wonderful. Even the most simple things are new and interesting, taking the bus or going to a restaurant. This exhilarating feeling will probably at some point change to the next phase.

Stage 2 (disillusionment stage)

Culture shock will happen gradually, you may encounter some difficulties or simple differences in your daily routine. For example, communication problems such as not being understood, food, attitude, and customs, these things may start to irritate you. At this this stage, you may have feelings of discontent, impatience, anger, sadness, and a feeling of incompetence. This happens when you are trying to adapt to a new culture that is very different from your own. The change between your old methods and those of Taiwan is a difficult process and takes time to complete. During the transition period, you may have some strong feelings of dissatisfaction and start to compare Taiwan to your new country in an unfavorable way.

Stage 3 ( understanding stage)

The third stage is characterized by gaining some understanding of Taiwan's culture, country, and its' people. You will get a new feeling of pleasure and sense of humor may be experienced. You should start to feel more of a certain psychological balance. During this stage you won't feel as lost and should begin to have a feeling of direction. At this point you are more familiar with the environment and have more of a feeling of wanting to belong. 

Stage 4 ( integration stage)

The fourth stage of culture shock is the integration stage and is usually experienced if you are staying for a very long period of time in Taiwan. You will probably realize that Taiwan has good and bad things to offer you. This integration is period is characterized by a strong feeling of belonging. You will start to define yourself and begin establishing goals. 

Stage 5 ( re-entry stage)

The final stage of culture shock occurs when you return to your home country. This stage of culture shock generally only effects people who have been in Taiwan for a very long period of time. You may find that things are no longer the same in your home country. For  example, some of your newly acquired customs are not in use in your own country.

These stages are present at different times and you will have your own way of reacting in each stage. As a result some you may find some stages can be longer and more difficult than others. There are many factors contribute to the duration and effects of culture shock. For example, your state of mental health, personality, previous experiences, socio-economic conditions, familiarity with the language, family, and level of education.

How to Fight Culture Shock Guide

Most people who come to Taiwan have the ability to positively deal with the difficulties of a new environment and overcome culture shock. So if you are thinking about going home or only spending time with people from your own culture, don't. You have to realize that you are not alone. Many other foreigners in Taiwan have experienced what you feel, talk to your friends or other teachers at your school they can help you feel better. We have also listed a few ways to fight the stress produced by culture shock below:

  • Develop a hobby
  • Don't forget the good things you already have!
  • Remember, there are always resources that you can use
  • Be patient, living in a different country is a process of adaptation to new situations. It is going to take time
  • Learn to be constructive. If you encounter an unfavorable environment, don't put yourself in that position again. Be easy on yourself.
  • Don't try too hard.
  • Learn to include a regular form of physical activity in your routine. This will help combat the sadness and loneliness in a constructive manner. Exercise, swim, take an aerobics class, etc. Get physical exercise and plenty of sleep
  • Relaxation and meditation are proven to be very positive for people who are passing through periods of stress
  • Maintain contact with other foreigners. This will give you a feeling of belonging and you will reduce your feelings of loneliness and alienation
  • Maintain contact with the new culture. Learn Chinese. Volunteer in community activities that allow you to practice the Chinese that you are learning. This will help you feel less stressed about the language and useful at the same time.
  • Allow yourself to feel sad about the things that you have left behind: your family, your friends,etc.
  • Try to accept Taiwan and focus your power on getting through the transition.
  • Pay attention to relationships with your friends and colleagues at work. They will serve as support for you in difficult times.
  • Establish simple goals and evaluate your progress. Make a few small decisions and carry them out. This will give you confidence
  • Find ways to live with the things that don't satisfy you 100%.
  • Maintain confidence in yourself. Follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the future.
  • If you feel stressed or sad, look for help. Tell friends that you are sad. Their support will help.
  • Find people to talk to about your feelings and their feelings
  • Make your living arrangements pleasant, and surround yourself with familiar photos, your favorite music, or a memento from home
  • Don’t be afraid to cry, sing, pray or laugh to express your feelings
  • Be happy and excited for this opportunity, and don’t expect things to be the same as your home country.

    Foreigners who follow this advice cope well with culture shock. When you survive culture shock, you’ll find that you have a fresh outlook on your own culture and its roots, and will gain new ways of understanding yourself.

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