Culture Shock

There are approximately two hundred countries in the world. Each individual country has its own customs, ways of life and social organization. Culture shock is a psychological shock when people suffer about new surroundings and different culture other than where they live. According to my survey, eighty-five percent of international students have had culture shock. For a successful study abroad experience, it is important that we figure out how to overcome culture shock.

            First of all, to understand how a new culture differs from the native culture is one way to solve culture shock. Fifty-one percent of international students at KCC had problems adjusting to the new language, according to my survey. Language is the most obvious cultural difference. KCC has many international students from Asia. There is a difference between the American education system and the Asian education system. For example, sharing opinions with each other in the class is an ordinary circumstance in the U.S.; however, listening-centered education is the most common method in the first language.Teachers in Japan do not often give students time to have discussion and say opinions in the class. Students in the U.S. are required to give their opinions actively in the class, even though students are international students who cannot express themselves well in English. If a student does not realize the culture difference and keeps quiet in the class, he or she may be fail in the class. Due to this situation, the awareness that there is a distinction and the understanding about the new culture are keys to finding the solution.

Second, culture shock can be considered a good opportunity for personal growth. Students have culture shock became they have not known a new culture before going to study abroad in another country. Learning a new culture and getting new experiences is a part of the process of growing up to become a mature person. Students will be able to expand their horizons after experiencing a new culture. In addition, when people face difficult problems, they will attempt to find a solution as soon as possible. Most international students are separated from their families. Thus, students must manage some problems by themselves. This is a good time to learn how to survive well without relying on their families.

  Lastly, the International Club is a club for international students who have difficulty adjusting to the new culture and need help finding solutions to culture shock. One of the purposes of the International Club is that international students get to know about local culture through various activities. When international students have cultural problems, they can communicate with American students to investigate how to solve the problems. Besides, making American friends is possible in this club. Therefore, talking with American people for international students is the most helpful method to get used to the new culture. 

In conclusion, culture shock can be a good opportunity for international students to know about the new culture. International students avoid the new culture; therefore, knowing about, respecting on, and being flexible with culture shock is the best way to overcome culture shock. Additionally, figuring out how we can solve problems of culture shock helps international student become stronger, and it guarantees my successful study abroad life.