This article is dedicated to everyone,
who has ever experienced
(anti)culture.
You’re all probably asking what I mean by (anti)culture. It’s easy – cultural shock. I’ve always been fascinated by different nations, their customs, food and their approach to life in general. Even though I have never crossed the European borders, I travelled quite a lot within and met people from all over the world. However, I have never thought about the cultural shock. In particular what it is, its existence and its symptoms. After my personal experience, I can assure you that it exists and that it can hit you harder than you’d think.
„It can’t happen to me!“
I thought… You know, it’s different to go on vacation, where you stay at a hotel and to really live somewhere. Of course, you notice some cultural differences while being on vacation, but you don’t really care about them. Most of the times you switch on the “vacay mode” and you don’t notice what’s going on around you. It’s completely normal. Though, if you have in mind the fact that you want to settle in a certain country, you notice every single detail. In a way, it’s some kind of defence mechanism of our brain. It tries to analyse the situation and evaluate, whether it’s safe or it’s better to run and never turn back.
How do you recognize cultural shock?
Everyone reacts differently. Usually, it starts with earlier mentioned “vacay mode”, when you’re super excited about your new life. You have a nice and precise plan and you keep repeating to yourself that you don’t miss anything and anyone. This stage is the better one. However, the second stage is frustration, where the personal hell begins. You’re crying your eyes out and keep asking yourself, whether it’s all worth it. When you finalise your analysis and get to the conclusion that you should give it a chance, you’ll move to the third stage - adjustment. Somehow you’ll get back on track to normal life. There still will be some tears from time to time, but you’ll assign it more to the nostalgy. Step-by-step you’ll get to the last stage, also known as acceptance. You’ll find out that it’s all in your head. You’ll understand you have your home inside of you. Sometimes you’ll feel like seeing your family for a while (but just for a while) and then get back to your new, normal life.
How to avoid it?
Honestly, this is the part I still haven’t really found an answer to. What, indeed, helped me was that I booked a flight to Slovakia for a few days. I was in touch with my family and friends and I tried to live the life I had in Slovakia as much as possible. However, after a while, I found out that the time stopped back in Slovakia, that I don’t have that much to talk about with many people anymore and that stereotype is boring. And that’s why I decided to just swim through life. I stopped caring about irrelevant things and started talking to people outside my bubble. I found a new hobby and met many, many amazing people I’m really thankful for. Moreover, I experienced things I would otherwise only see on Instagram. 🙏🏼
The cultural shock can last for a week, a month or for a year. It all depends on your personality. Nevertheless, don’t forget that you’re not alone in it! And if this monster comes, let him to his job. You can control him a little bit, but don’t try to get the full control. Otherwise, it will change into a dementor eating every single positive thought. Yet, I can promise you that you’ll get to know your limits and you’ll get to know yourself much more.
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