Final answer:
Culture shock is the disorientation and frustration one feels when adjusting to a new culture, which can include initial excitement followed by stress due to unfamiliar social customs and norms. Eventually, with time and understanding, individuals can adjust and even gain insight into their own culture through this process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Culture Shock
When individuals like students or sociologists travel to another country and face difficulties in adjusting due to missing connections with their family, or having a hard time relating to the new culture, they have experienced a phenomenon known as culture shock. This term was first coined by anthropologist Kalervo Oberg in 1960. Culture shock often includes stages of initial excitement followed by frustration with cultural differences ranging from language barriers to differing social norms.
For instance, exchange students may find social interactions challenging, such as a student from China who might find the American classroom etiquette of asking questions openly quite jarring, as it may be considered rude in their culture. Similarly, Americans traveling abroad might long for familiar comforts from home when faced with different customs. Over time and with increased cultural understanding, individuals can adapt and become more comfortable in their new environment.
It's crucial to recognize that culture is learned, and while everyone may naturally lean towards their own cultural norms (ethnocentrism), adjusting to a new culture is a process that can be enriched by developing compassion and empathy. Adjusting to a new culture can take weeks, months, or even years, but it also offers an opportunity for personal growth and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. Additionally, transnationalism can affect individuals like immigrants who maintain connections to their homeland while in a new country, adding complexity to cultural identity and assimilation.