Each traveler will encounter the 5 stages of culture shock a little differently. While there’s no one answer on how to deal with a new culture, there are some common symptoms and remedies to make the whole process just a little smoother.

An inevitable part of traveling to unfamiliar places is to experience some type of culture shock. A new and different culture can easily cause high levels of travel anxiety. To make matters worse, you rarely ever see it coming.

Think of it as the travel boogeyman – by the time you notice it, you’re in its claws and it’s not letting go. There are 5 stages of culture shock and they are all manageable. You may even appreciate and enjoy a culture shock after reading how to cope with one!

Luckily, there are some ways to help overcome travel shock or prevent it to begin with. You might even begin to enjoy a little culture shock now and then.

In 2013 I left Australia for the very first time and experienced my first foreign culture shock. In Ireland. An English-speaking country which is similar to Australia in many ways. Apparently, a different accent was enough for a culture shock to set in back then for me.

Since then, some experiences I’ve had on the road would’ve had me book a one-way ticket home and stay there. I want to go through how to make a culture shock easier to deal with – and to learn they aren’t always a bad thing!

If you’d like to know some common culture shocks in Australia (my home nation), well there are a few surprising differences from the Land Down Under.

Read on for tips on how to recognize and enjoy the 5 stages of a culture shock as well as how to overcome a cultural shock (you can get your free PDF in a little).

 

The 5 stages of culture shock

The 5 stages of culture shock are:

1. The honeymoon stage
2. Hostility and irritability
3. Gradual adjustment
4. Adaptation
5. Re-entry travel shock

Culture shock can arise in my different ways and for many different reasons. To understand how to prevent and adapt to a new travel experience, we first need to understand it. There are 5 major phases of a culture shock.

They are listed in the usual order people experience them, so if you’re currently experiencing culture shock, it may be a hint of what feelings and emotions are to come along your path of travel enlightenment.

 

1. The honeymoon stage

You know when you first arrive in a new place and everything is just fantastic? That’s the so-called “honeymoon stage”. In this stage, you’re in love with your new travel destination.

All the new foods, the people, the unforgettable attractions and things to do. It’s all just so wonderful that nothing else really matters. This amazing feeling of wanderlust differs for everyone a little. It might be even powerful enough to get you through the jet lag or long travel times without too much complaining.

Unfortunately, for most of us, this feeling doesn’t last too long before the next stage sets in.

 

2. Hostility and irritability

Nothing gold can stay, right? This is where the negative effects of a culture shock come into play. Once again, this stage will be a little more powerful for some, or it might even hit you as soon as you step off the plane. It’s hard to tell until you’re there and encounter this foreign culture.

You may start to find frustrating systems or aspects of the culture in this stage. Something just confuses and irritates you. Either because it’s different than what you expect, or doesn’t make logical sense to your foreign-developed mind. Or simply it frustrates you for reasons you don’t even know why. I catch myself doing this inside my head at some point on almost every trip I take still.

“Wait, why would anyone do it like this?!” or “That’s a strange concept.” That style of thinking is bred in the hostility stage and that allows irrational irritation to set in. You might get frustrated easier, you might have trouble sleeping or feel a need to shut yourself behind closed doors.

I’ve been there, I’ve felt it all. But now I notice when I begin to pick apart the negative thoughts going on in my mind and try and move along to adjusting way quicker.

 

3. Gradual adjustment

Adjusting gradually is subjective from person to person. It might take just a few hours, or weeks or even months. It all depends on the person, the shock they are exposed to and how they can cope. Finding ways to slowly overcome the differences will vary in every country you visit. Even if there are only slight variances between the cultures, languages, foods, traffic – the list could go on and on.

Once you have an arsenal of tools to help you deal with these shocking encounters, everything gets much easier.

Fortunately, this is why this post exists. Once you identify elements of a culture shock, you can work to overcome them, even if that is sub-consciously.

 

4. Adaptation

Finally, you overcome the differences and find a sense of belonging in your new environment. You learn to accept the differences in culture, and while it might not be the levels of love you felt in the honeymoon stage, you’re comfortable with these new places and feelings.

Sometimes, you might seem to skip over this stage. That you seem to just keep gradually adjusting and never feel quite at home in a country or city. There’s nothing wrong with that, sometimes a city might be too busy or a country might be too laid back for your taste and you never really reach the stage of full acceptance.

Trying to force yourself to adapt, in my experience, never works. You can’t make yourself be comfortable with something if it’s just not happening for you.

Helpful ways to adjust and more easily overcome travel culture shock are listed below. Try a bunch of them out and I’d love to hear what did and didn’t work for you – leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

 

5. Re-entry travel shock

This is one part of a culture shock I had no idea existed until I experienced it and then reflected on my journey weeks later.

As humans, we adapt. Some more quickly than others, but eventually, a new way of life somehow imprints on us. We wake up when the time zone tells us it’s day time, we eat at local restaurants and interact with everyone around us. It changes you. No matter how much you close yourself off to outside influences, something changes inside us as we adjust to this new society and come to peace with it. That is if we allow it.

This adaptation is a great thing. It’s how travel teaches us it’s best lessons. It’s how we come back home with tales that make our friends and family envious. But, now we are adjusted to this other society’s different ways of life. What happens when we eventually return home?

Everything is new and different once again. This is known as re-entry shock. It happens when you’ve spent so long away from your home and aren’t accustomed to how things operate. The period you have to spend away from home to experiences a re-entry shock is different for every traveler.

I live in Canada, where you drive on the right-hand lanes of the road. When I return home to Australia for a visit, I have to readjust to the rules of the road being flipped upside down-under (yeah, sneaky little Australian joke). It isn’t easy. Especially at driving higher speeds. It gives me small bouts of anxiety, even though I lived there for the 23 years of my life.

But once again, I adapt. Like everything, if you spend long enough doing something, you train yourself and it becomes the norm.

 

Re-entry Travel Culture Shock: Do your friends really ever understand?

This isn’t a really stage a travel culture shock, but it does relate to re-entry shock from traveling. Let’s say you just got home from a year-long solo backpacking trip through Asia. You can’t wait to tell your friends and family all about these experiences and how that has changed you as a person.

Change is inevitable on the road. You’re influenced to so many new elements, you’d have to be a robot/cyborg to not change in some way, right?

The issue is, your loved ones and drinking buddies at the pub haven’t changed in quite the same way. So when you start going through 10,000 pictures and the unique and unforgettable stories behind each one, they get restless, look at their phone or you notice their eyes start to glaze over a little.

I’ve experienced the feeling like I was boring people with my travel tales more than once. You simply can’t pack that much great information into an hour or two. It’s impossible. It’s not your friends of family’s fault, it’s just that they didn’t experience this journey.

So while you have amazing, awe-inspiring stories of how you found yourself backpacking through remote parts of Asia, it’s often difficult to instill this passion in someone who’s held down a day job for the past 12 months.

Now I’m not saying this is always the case and I’ve had many conversations with genuinely interested people, but it’s something to keep in the back of your mind when you return home.

So, now we understand the stages of a culture shock. But as I’ve repeated multiple times, everyone is different. There are many symptoms of culture shock and the experiences of these will vary from one person to the next.

Here’s a quick and dirty guide of behavior and attitudes that can be affected by a travel shock of cultures.

 

Symptoms of culture shock

Experiencing culture shock is a different monster for everyone. It lurks in dark corners in the world of travel and manifests itself a little different for each of us.

Sometimes, it’s not as easy to recognize as you might think. It’s a little more complicated than “oh I’m grumpy, I must have a case of the travel shocks”. It’s also worth noting that if you feel any number of these below, they can be caused by many other reasons not related to travel culture shock.

 

List of culture shock symptoms:

These common culture shock symptoms differ for each and every traveler. Some might get severe symptoms of culture shock, while others might not feel it at all.

• Irritation

Getting excessively frustrated over little things is a common sign of culture shock. Minor transport delays, long restaurant lines, weather conditions, the list could quite literally go on forever.

• Feeling isolated, helpless or lonely

Feeling alone in a new country is another regular symptom felt by a lot of travelers. There could be thousands of people around you, but finding it difficult to interact or even relate to anyone is a possibility.

• Mood swings

Swinging quickly from being happy and laughing to agitated or feeling down could be another sign. I know I have had this happen to me. Because everything was new in the adjusting stage I had difficulty regulating my mood.

• Avoiding contact

Not wanting to interact with anyone, either locals or fellow travelers is another sign of difficulties in adjusting. This could range from locking yourself away in a hotel/hostel room, or simply avoiding people on the street from fear of interaction.

• Longing to be back home

This is a pretty regular feeling, for me at least. It’s natural to be in a new place and to miss friends, family, pets or a comfortable life you’re well-adjusted to. Personally, this seems to come rolling through in waves, likes to come and go.

• Criticizing local customs

“Why would they possibly do something like that?!”, or “That just seems stupid to me”. Unduly criticizing another country is something that is very easy to do. It all seems different and those differences from what you’re accustomed to stand out.

• Feeling vulnerable

Feeling as if you’re an easy target, and that if anything does happen, you’re on your own to resolve the situation.

• Lack of confidence

Kind of ties in to feeling vulnerable, lacking the confidence to resolve problems, talk or interact with the local culture, or just feel as if you’re ready to take on the next challenge around the corner.

• Sleeping problems

Not being able to sleep is another common culture shock symptom, but it can also go the other way as well. Being tired and sleeping too much is not only a way of isolating yourself but can also make you more tired.

You might feel all of these, or none and have other symptoms of a culture shock. Personally, I have felt all of these in one way, at some point during travel. It doesn’t mean that you’re a bad person or traveler because you’re struggling to adjust to a new destination or culture. It happens. To pretty much everyone, just in different ways and severities.

I’d like to point out quickly again that all of these issues can arise for other reasons. If you’re noticing these problems don’t ease off by using some of the tips below, it might be worthwhile to keep a closer eye on why you’re feeling the way you are.

So now we know exactly the types of thinking and emotions to be aware of, how do we overcome a culture shock?

 

How to overcome and deal with the 5 stages of culture shock

Whether you’re an open person that has no fear of talking to random people on the street, or the polar opposite, there are ways to adapt to a culture shock.

While some need you to interact with others, there are plenty of options if you wish to overcome this new experience by yourself.

Whatever option(s) you try, just know that a culture shock won’t last forever and more often than not, a flight home is always a last resort option if it all gets too much. After all, travel should be fun and exciting, not being terrified of the differences outside your hostel door!

 

Here are 8 actionable tips to help you deal with a culture shock:

• Travel with an open mind

Did you just roll your eyes? I can’t really blame you. How cliché. But it’s so true. Leaving your home country realizing you’re about to be a guest in another country, likely with a completely different set of morals, values, views, and ways of life – and starting your journey with the mindset to learn from the host nation and not be judgemental can help immensely.

• Stop comparing

“They don’t even have meat pies over here!!!” This highlights only the negative aspects of a new culture. There’s plenty of ways to compare your fresh travel destination with your home country. How are you going to learn and grow from this journey if you’re picking out things you regard as faults compared to your home nation?

• Accept differences

“Their meat pies are surely different, but they don’t taste too bad!”. Still aboard the Australian joke train. If you fly to the other side of the world, even a neighboring country or city, things aren’t going to be the same. Diversity is what exactly what makes travel rewarding and enjoyable. I’m not saying you have to fall deeply in love with every difference, you won’t, but set off into this adventure realizing there are going to be differences.

• Talk to other travelers

One great thing about traveling is that there’s usually someone to talk to. Whether you’re stuck on a rickety bus or relaxing in a hostel common room, try interacting with fellow travelers. I love getting recommendations from hostel common rooms. Travelers help educate each other with tips on things to do, and other little quirks they have picked up. It’s a great way to get a comprehensive picture of this new destination you’re in.

• Talk with locals

This is probably my favorite aspect of travel. Even though I’m often a shy introvert, I like to talk to locals if I feel comfortable. They can shed light as to why things are a certain way, or what the meaning behind a strange aspect of the experience for you. Plus, locals can often be funny – turning a boring overused joke into an unforgettable moment.

• Lower your expectations

While this can be easier said than done, going into a new adventure with lower expectations of what you will find and experience should help the initial differences you feel. With expectations of your trip gained sooner, there’s more time to enjoy yourself on the road.

• Try new things

Throwing yourself into the unknown and trying new things, whether that be food, a form of art, learning the local language, or many other things can help you find something about this new place you love. Sure, fried snakes, scorpions and spiders might be a little out of some travelers’ dietary scopes, and that’s fine. Start with something easy and then branch out when you’re ready.

• Give it time

Ending with another cliché tip. I’m sorry but it’s true. Time is said to be the best healer. The longer you spend in a country, most of the symptoms should get easier, as long as you allow yourself to be open to change. Time in another country gives us the opportunity to adapt and adjust. You’ll acclimatize to the busy streets and the once-strange food. Having said this, homesickness is one aspect that may only get worse the longer you spend away from home.

When it all boils down, every traveler is different. You will experience culture, cuisine, language, etc and interpret it all differently than your best travel buddy or partner. You’ll also react differently, whether or not it’s apparent on the surface, there will be things you find harder to overcome than others and vice versa.

It’s all about recognizing the signs of culture shock for you. And then learning how to adapt and overcome in order to get the most out of the opportunities of travel.

 

Does experiencing culture shock get easier the more you travel?

Make no mistake, travel isn’t always glamorous. One day you’re staring in awe at sights like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and confidently walking the mountain trails, and the next week you turn a corner in Xi’an to see a toddler shitting on a busy street outside a restaurant’s door just before noon. China is full of culture shock.

Travel has curveballs that you just cannot plan for.

Travel can be unpredictable, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get easier. Generally speaking, it does. Apart from the random curveball.

Let me give some examples of my travel experiences.

As I mentioned, Ireland was the first foreign country I visited and, honestly, I was scared. The other side of the world, all by myself. Looking back on it all, there was nothing to worry about. But it sure didn’t feel like that at the time.

One of my first real shocks from travel was while in Egypt. I visited in mid-2013, which happened to be between two quite large-scale revolutions. I was on a guided tour (I wasn’t that game enough to travel completely solo just yet). It was a low point for tourism, the vendors would be quite aggressive with their sales techniques. The Australian Government even warned travelers to rethink their plans. But I went anyways.

My most vivid memory was being in a minivan, with threats of rocket terrorist attacks. Armed guards took everyone’s passports for around 3 hours – which seemed like a lifetime. Trust me, I was scared. But after I made it out of Egypt and had some unforgettable stories to tell.

The one thing that makes me smile whenever I think about it still? Even though there was all this negativity in the news, the people I met on the streets were friendly. Everyone I met was just regular people, and while some were pushy, the vast majority made me fall in love with Egypt.

This is why keeping an open mind is so important to enjoying travel to its fullest potential.

Finally, one thing that is pretty important to mention, experiencing culture shock is a normal part of travel and it doesn’t always mean you’re in danger. But, sometimes dangerous situations develop in countries, I highly suggest keeping an eye on developments on countries you’re visiting from a trusted source.

Such as your Government travel site, for example, United States of America keeps an updated record on many travel advisories around the globe.

 

As you can probably imagine, there’s so much to say about this topic, I’ve likely overlooked many great points. That’s where you come in.

• Have you experienced in the 5 stages of culture shock differently?
• How do you overcome a travel shock?
• What memorable story have you got as the result of a culture shock? (Good or bad) Here is a wide range of culture shock stories from travelers just like you!

I’d love to hear about anything to do with culture shock in the comments below! 

 

Understanding Cultural Shock – The 5 Stages of Culture Shock Infographic

Do you learn better by visuals? That’s why I’ve created this easy to follow 5 stages of culture shock infographic.

It’s got the basic information about the different levels of culture shock and what to expect from each of them.

Make sure you save this post for later – why not share it on your favorite social media?

 

Sign up for Horizon Unknowns monthly newsletter, or continue reading more stories and tips about travel:

• A gigantic post all about travel tips
• Layovers can give a strange story
• Being drug searched in Pai, Thailand

 

Thanks for reading!

Happy and safe travels

Ben – Horizon Unknown