Culture shift sparks culture shock
By: Taylor Flores
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: Features
Living without cheddar cheese and salsa pushed senior Kristina Hogan over the edge.
For students who study abroad, daily habits and American customs that are no longer available can lead to frustration and anger. The cultural shift creates an element known as culture shock, which eventually turns into reverse culture shock when students return home.
Though studying abroad can seem like a vacation that consists of only ups, the experience comes with a struggle, Hogan said. Spending a semester abroad in Australia and then Italy, Hogan prepared herself for different cultural aspects.
After her first semester "down under," Hogan convinced herself she would have an easy time adjusting in Italy. But in the beginning she found herself questioning her decision to go abroad, she said.
"There was the huge language barrier," Hogan said. "And all I wanted was a pepperoni pizza, and I couldn't even get that."
Cultural differences and obstacles create a feeling of doubt and helplessness, she said.
After walking into a cafe and asking in broken Italian to be seated for dinner, Hogan realized she had asked for a pot of hot tea for a meal instead.
"It was horrible, and all I thought was, 'Aw shit, what did I get myself into?'" she said.
Her initial culture shock lasted about three weeks but came and went depending on her experiences. But despite the initial shock, the hardest experience was coming home. It was like a jigsaw puzzle - like trying to fit back after the shapes had been altered, she said.
"It changes you forever, and you don't know where you fit in anymore," Hogan said. "What you care about in life changes, and people don't get that."
Hogan isn't the only one learning to adjust to life in Chico. Foreign students studying abroad at Chico State have to transition into American culture and lifestyle as well.
Senior Sergio Teles, an exchange student from Brazil, came to study biology and was surprised during his first weeks in Chico but has adapted well, he said.
"It's shocking how much people consume in American culture," Teles said. "We don't have big centers like Costco and the malls. Brazil is a more simple life."
Chico's friendly atmosphere made life more accommodating for Teles, who is trying to extend his stay for another semester, he said.
"If I go home now it won't be good," Teles said. "I have an independent life here and still need to figure out what I want and who I am. America is great for that."
Teles anticipates the struggle of fitting back in with his friends when he returns to Brazil.
"I'm more aware of things and have a desire for different experiences that they don't have," he said. "I have a different reality than they do now."
For senior Kate Hetu coming home after spending a year in Ireland was harder than being away.
Hetu had profound conversations abroad about world issues and had a hard time hearing chats on campus about clothes and superficial things, said Hetu, a study abroad mentor and internship coordinator.
"Your new way of life is so different and when you're subjected to the original (culture) the new one is tainted," she said. "It doesn't work anymore and doesn't fit back in."
After her first semester back, Hetu got involved with the study abroad office, which helped her with her reverse culture shock, she said.
Staying involved helps students transition back to life at home and remember the experiences they went through, Hogan said.
"It's probably how a girl feels the day after her wedding," she said. "You do all this planning, and the event is this huge amazing thing, but then you wake up and it's over. You're back to being Cinderella."
But despite the broken carriage, Hogan would go through it again in an instant.
"The hard part is what separates so many people," she said. "Those who can handle it know how worth it the experience is."
Taylor Flores can be reached at tflores@theorion.com
For students who study abroad, daily habits and American customs that are no longer available can lead to frustration and anger. The cultural shift creates an element known as culture shock, which eventually turns into reverse culture shock when students return home.
Though studying abroad can seem like a vacation that consists of only ups, the experience comes with a struggle, Hogan said. Spending a semester abroad in Australia and then Italy, Hogan prepared herself for different cultural aspects.
After her first semester "down under," Hogan convinced herself she would have an easy time adjusting in Italy. But in the beginning she found herself questioning her decision to go abroad, she said.
"There was the huge language barrier," Hogan said. "And all I wanted was a pepperoni pizza, and I couldn't even get that."
Cultural differences and obstacles create a feeling of doubt and helplessness, she said.
After walking into a cafe and asking in broken Italian to be seated for dinner, Hogan realized she had asked for a pot of hot tea for a meal instead.
"It was horrible, and all I thought was, 'Aw shit, what did I get myself into?'" she said.
Her initial culture shock lasted about three weeks but came and went depending on her experiences. But despite the initial shock, the hardest experience was coming home. It was like a jigsaw puzzle - like trying to fit back after the shapes had been altered, she said.
"It changes you forever, and you don't know where you fit in anymore," Hogan said. "What you care about in life changes, and people don't get that."
Hogan isn't the only one learning to adjust to life in Chico. Foreign students studying abroad at Chico State have to transition into American culture and lifestyle as well.
Senior Sergio Teles, an exchange student from Brazil, came to study biology and was surprised during his first weeks in Chico but has adapted well, he said.
"It's shocking how much people consume in American culture," Teles said. "We don't have big centers like Costco and the malls. Brazil is a more simple life."
Chico's friendly atmosphere made life more accommodating for Teles, who is trying to extend his stay for another semester, he said.
"If I go home now it won't be good," Teles said. "I have an independent life here and still need to figure out what I want and who I am. America is great for that."
Teles anticipates the struggle of fitting back in with his friends when he returns to Brazil.
"I'm more aware of things and have a desire for different experiences that they don't have," he said. "I have a different reality than they do now."
For senior Kate Hetu coming home after spending a year in Ireland was harder than being away.
Hetu had profound conversations abroad about world issues and had a hard time hearing chats on campus about clothes and superficial things, said Hetu, a study abroad mentor and internship coordinator.
"Your new way of life is so different and when you're subjected to the original (culture) the new one is tainted," she said. "It doesn't work anymore and doesn't fit back in."
After her first semester back, Hetu got involved with the study abroad office, which helped her with her reverse culture shock, she said.
Staying involved helps students transition back to life at home and remember the experiences they went through, Hogan said.
"It's probably how a girl feels the day after her wedding," she said. "You do all this planning, and the event is this huge amazing thing, but then you wake up and it's over. You're back to being Cinderella."
But despite the broken carriage, Hogan would go through it again in an instant.
"The hard part is what separates so many people," she said. "Those who can handle it know how worth it the experience is."
Taylor Flores can be reached at tflores@theorion.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mimi Shanel
posted 12/03/07 @ 9:01 AM PST
As Kistina's grandmother, I didnot know what she went through during her foreign travels. I am pleased to see she matured.She is on her way to a beautiful
adjusted lifestyle. (Continued…)
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