The New Global Student and the Stages of Culture Shock

Have I mentioned this book?

It is a very interesting book and speaks to a lot of what I hold important (ie, an international education, which can be achieved in a variety of manners, is a gift we give our children). I find the author's style a bit . . . well, sales-y at times. As though her editor said, "This is all good information, but no one will ever read it unless you present it as if you were a motivational speaker." But if you can sort of ignore that, it is worth reading.

She never does address how she was able to just decide to live in Argentina. I lived in Argentina. We needed visas in Argentina.

But nevermind.

What she does discuss that is relevent to the expat is a fellow named Dr. Dennis White, a psychologist who specializes in the problems of reintegrating into one's own culture. (You didn't think it would be so, but it is . . . bwha ha ha!)

Anyhoo . . .

What I liked was that Maya Frost, who wrote the book above, lists what Dr. White calls the four stages of culture shock:

1. Excitement and Enthusiasm (The Honeymoon Period)
2. Irritability (The Honeymoon's Over)
3. Adaptation (Reality Check)
4. Biculturalism (The Fun Begins)

These stages can (and in my experience DO) repeat themselves over the course of one's gig(s) abroad. But I think of them as coming in waves, and each one is successively smaller as the expat settles into the new country.

I can also say that I am currently somewhere between Stage 2 and Stage 3. I'm not sure I have ever progressed to Stage 4. Okay, maybe. But I'd have to think about it a little.

So, now I am going to go and have a tour of the Bolshoi Theater. I'll write about it when I get back and hopefully post some photos, too.

Your assignment, while I'm gone, is to think about what stage you are in.