Culture Shock

Challenges and Problems Encountered in Cultural Transition

Ian MacDonald, MSc. ESSCA Budapest

Cross-Cultural Transition
Most people go through four phases during cross-cultural transition. Euphoria Culture Shock Acculturation Stable State Length of Each Phase Varies Often Subconscious

The Four Phases

Feelings

1. Euphoria

2. Culture Shock Time

3. Acculturation

4. Stable State

Phase 1: Euphoria
Excitement at Discovering a New Culture Everything is New Some Stay at This Stage Tourists Business Travellers

Phase 2: Culture Shock

The frustration and confusion that result from being bombarded by un-interpretable cues. Adler, p. 227 Difficulty to understand host nationals behaviour Difficulty to understand host nationals reactions to your behaviour

Phase 2: Culture Shock

Natural Response Physical & Psychological Repercussions Varies in degree According to the Individual According to the Country Expatriates often stay together to feel better Many never get beyond this stage

continued

Signs of Culture Shock

Homesickness Boredom Withdrawal Need for Excessive Sleep Chauvinistic Excesses Stereotyping of Host Nationals Hostility towards Host Nationals

Compulsive Eating
Compulsive Drinking Irritability Exaggerated Cleanliness Marital Stress Family Tension & Conflict

Loss of Ability to Work

Effectively Unexplained Fits of Weeping Physical Ailments

Ferraro, p. 142

Culture Shock is Stressful

Culture Shock has Costs

Hinders Effectiveness
Cost of Premature Returns $55,000 - $150,000 Excluding Potential Loss of Business

Phase 3: Acculturation
Expatriates gradually grow accustomed to the new culture
They interpret behaviour better They understand the language better They learn to accept differences Stress is reduced

Phase 4: Stable State

Biculturalism
Acceptance of Most Differences Some strain may continue Some aspects of the new culture will be missed

Expatriation is a positive experience Self-Development

Marriage and Illness

Euphoria
The Honeymoon - The Healthy Body

Culture Shock
The Seven Year Itch - The Disease Sets In Divorce Proceedings - And the Patient Dies

Acculturation
Cant live with him, cant live without! - Recovery is Under Way

Stable State
Diamond Wedding Anniversary - Full Recovery

Minimising Culture Shock

Before Choose the Right Person
Dont Choose the Wrong Person!! Avoid someone who claims not to suffer from Culture Shock

Develop Cultural Awareness

Know that Culture Shock Exists The Concept of Culture Culture-Specific Knowledge Including Language Cultural Self-Awareness

Minimising Culture Shock

During Develop Cross Cultural Skills
Tolerance of Ambiguity Flexibility Patience Empathy Personalization of Observations Showing Respect Avoidance of Judgements Sense of Humour

Create a Stability Zone

An environment resembling ones home culture But Avoid Ghettos

Minimising Culture Shock

During continued Involve the Whole Family Manage Stress
Exercise Meditation and Relaxation Exercises

Be Realistic Let Go of Home Realise there are No Absolutes Keep Faith Beware of host nationals knowledge
Culture is subconscious

Accept lower effectiveness at the beginning

Going Home
Disorientation when confronted with home culture
Often Unexpected
Even More Stressful

New Role in the Parent Company

Possible Lower Standard of Living in Home Country Embellishment of Home Culture during Expatriation Lack of Psychological Support on Re-entry
People Understand Cultural Entry Can be Difficult Few People Realise Returning Home Can Be as Big a Shock

Personal Experiences
Managerial Skills, Not Technical Skills
Working abroad makes you more knowledgeable about the questions to ask, not the answers. I learned how to work in two cultures... to compromise, not to be a dictator. Its very similar to two domestic cultures... like marketing and engineering. Im more open-minded... more able to deal with a wide range of people... because I ran into many other points of view. Adler, p.240

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Because I only understood a fraction of what was really going on overseas, maybe 50%, I had to make decisions on a fraction of the necessary information. Now I can tolerate nonclosure and ambiguity better. Things you never thought youd put up with, you learn to put up with... I always thought I was right, until I went overseas. Adler, p.240

Personal Experiences
Multiple Perspective

continued

I learned what it felt like to be a foreigner... I could see things from their perspective. I learned to anticipate... its the role of the diplomat. Adler, p.240

Ability to Work with and Manage Others

I increased my tolerance for other people. For the first time, I was the underdog, the minority. I became a soft-headed screamer. Im definitely better with others now. I used to be more ruthless than I am now... I was the AllAmerican manager. Now, I stop and realise the human impact more. I use others as resources. I do more communicating with others in the organisation. Adler, p.240