Cultural Adjustment
Adjusting to a new culture and way of life can be both exciting and challenging. It’s very possible that you will experience good and bad times during your stay in the U.S. You’ll be on the adventure of a lifetime and in a new environment that you may find strange and difficult at times. During times of difficulty, just remind yourself that cultural differences and new adventures are the reason we all love to travel, to experience the unknown!
While everyone responds differently to a new culture, there are typically four stages most people experience:
- At first, you will probably experience a great deal of excitement and happiness, due to new things around you. You’ll feel positive about the culture and be fascinated by it.
- In the second stage, you begin to adjust to daily life in the U.S. and the sense of adventure wears off. You will begin to find things different, strange, and even frustrating. The behavior of Americans might seem unusual and unpredictable. You might begin to dislike the culture, feel anxious, or want to be alone. It is helpful to recognize when this is happening and know that this phase doesn't last too long for most people.
- By the third stage, you’ll have a routine and feel more confident in dealing with the new culture. Once the values and characteristics of people in the U.S. become more familiar to you, day to day life will become easier. This is your true adjustment to American life!
- In the last stage you will feel at home in the U.S. You’ll enjoy being in the culture and function well in it. You might be surprised by your enthusiasm and realize that you prefer certain American cultural traits over your own. Perhaps you’ll leave the U.S. and adopt certain behaviors that appeal to you the most. This is what cultural exchange is all about.
No matter what stage you are experiencing, remember that you’re never alone. You can call CIEE at any time to talk about the feelings you’re experiencing. We’re happy to help you or your CIEE Work & Travel friends at any time!