Understanding the Experience

Living in a new culture can be exciting and rewarding—but also confusing and emotionally challenging. These reactions are normal. You're entering a new environment with your own cultural lens. Adjusting takes time. While living abroad and/or joining a new work culture (in-person or virtual) can be challenging, many students say  these experiences are some of the most valuable parts of their time in college, often leading to personal and professional growth.

This process is often called culture shock, but a more current way to think about it is through the Cultural Transitions Model (Butler, 2019). This model includes six stages that people may experience when adapting to a new culture:

• Cultural Surprise – Everything feels unfamiliar and different.
• Cultural Exploration – You start discovering and enjoying the new culture.
• Cultural Adjustment – Daily life begins to feel more comfortable.
• Cultural Stress – Challenges begin to wear on you.
• Cultural Fatigue – Homesickness or exhaustion sets in.
• Cultural Conflict – Frustration with cultural differences may arise.

These stages don’t always happen in order, and you might move between them more than once. Recognizing the pattern can help you manage the process and know you're not alone.

Cultural Transitions Happen in Many Places

Cultural learning doesn’t only happen when you’re overseas. Experiences in other countries and the United States like internships (in person or virtual), community engaged learning, working in diverse environments, or even starting college can all expose you to new cultures, behaviors, and values. Being open to cultural adjustment in many settings can help you grow wherever you are.

Strategies for Managing Cultural Transitions

Here are some strategies to help you as you experience and adjust to new cultures.

• Before the Program: Prepare for the Transition
• Learning about the culture(s) you’ll be entering can help ease your adjustment. Some ways to prepare include:
  
      - Talking to people who have lived or studied in that country/culture(s).
      - Exploring official websites, cultural resources, and local media.
      - Immersing yourself in art from the country/culture(s) (movies, books, art, etc.).
  
  Think about how you’ll stay connected with your support network:
  
      - Research phone and internet access.
      - Understand time zone differences.
      - Identify how you’ll reach mental health or medical support if needed.
      - Staying connected is important—but try not to rely so much on your existing support network that it keeps you from engaging with your new environment.
• During the Program: Pay Attention to How You Feel
• While immersed in another culture, tune into how you’re feeling and behaving, and notice “signals” of your cultural transition experience that may lead to stress. Signals including things like:
  
      - Missing home, family, or friends.
      - Feeling withdrawn, bored, or unmotivated.
      - Sleep, eating, or drinking changes.
      - Becoming overly critical of the host culture.
      - Strong emotional reactions.
      - Trouble concentrating.
      - Physical illness or fatigue.
      - Engaging in risky behavior.
  
  You don't have to wait for these signals to practice the following strategies, which can help you manage stress before it grows, and can enhance the exciting, positive emotions you feel as part of your cultural transition experience:
  
      - Practice openness and curiosity.
      - Keep your sense of humor.
      - Take care of your health: stay hydrated, eat balanced meals, exercise, and sleep.
      - Practice your usual self-care routines, adapted to your new setting.
      - Be patient with yourself and others.
      - Occasionally enjoy something familiar, like food or media from home.
      - Try new experiences and activities.
      - Talk regularly with program staff or onsite leaders.
• During the Program: Be a Cultural Ambassador
• Remember that you represent both UC Davis and the United States (as well as other aspects of your identity). Being respectful and responsible helps build mutual understanding and avoids reinforcing stereotypes.
  
  Be aware of the political climate and relations between the U.S and your destination. In some places, Americans are warmly welcomed; in others, current and/or historical U.S. policies may create tension. To stay safe and respectful consider:
  
      - Dressing and behaving in ways that align with local customs.
      - Learning about U.S. relations with your host country.
      - Learning about U.S. history and politics in general.
      - Reading both U.S. and local news for broader perspectives. Many local newspapers publish an English version online.
  
  Be prepared for people to share their opinions about the U.S.
  
  In addition, every country and culture has its own dynamics of “othering,” exclusion and inclusion, some of which may evoke fear, frustration, surprise, or other strong emotional responses. Again, learning about the culture(s) you’ll be entering can help you prepare yourself. Peers and program leaders or onsite administrators are important resources for navigating challenging situations.
  
  Practicing openness and curiosity can also help, and know that it’s okay to listen without having all the answers.
• During the Program: Ask for Help
• Talking with others can help you make sense of your experience and help you feel less isolated. Because we see the world through our own lenses, we may miss meanings or be confused by situations, so talking to different sources can expand your understanding of your host culture.
  
  Whom You Can Talk To:
  
     - Program leaders or onsite administrators
     - Trusted peers or family members
     - Mental health professionals (on-site or at UC Davis)
  
  If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other concerns, reach out to your program leader, onsite administrators, onsite resources and/or UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services, where mental health staff are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week by phone at (530) 752-0871 (follow the prompts to reach a mental health counselor – press 55).