College is different from high school and many students experience culture shock after two months. Culture shock includes feelings confused, frustrated, irritated, surprised, and disgusted by the new rules. For some students, culture shock leads to feeling isolated and depressed.
To ensure that you move through shock into acceptance and integration, get involved in your classes and in student activities. Don’t rely upon your high school friends and family to be your sole support. You are opportunities to meet new friends and to learn a lot. Work out in our fitness center. Play sports. Join a student club. Go to class and talk with your professors during their office hours for more assistance. Work with your academic advisor.
I’m giving a talk to international students to prepare them for culture shock here at NOVA this semester. Below are my tips for them:
Cultural Adjustment
Ms. Nan Peck
Associate Professor, Communication Studies
CM 306
Expect and accept that you will experience culture shock (normally 2-4 months after your arrival).
Stage 1: Honeymoon
America is baseball and apple pie. And football, Costco, Walmart, and junk food.
Stage 2: Disillusionment – Culture Shock
Expect and accept that you will experience culture shock (normally 2-4 months after your arrival).
Culture shock includes feeling of irritation, confusion, frustration, fear, sense of loss, surprise and disgust. This is normal.
America is not like TV or the internet.
Americans love cars but hate traffic and other drivers.
Americans love guns but argue about gun ownership and gun control.
Americans love to argue.
If you don’t have good support systems (family, friends, counselors), you may experience isolation and depression.
Stage 3: Acceptance
Stay in touch with your family and friends. Get involved with student services and your classmates. Get support from your advisors and professors.
This will be one of the hardest and best experiences of your life.