In the globalized world in which we live, migration is becoming more common, yet adapting to a new culture is a challenge that we often face at different stages.
In an increasingly globalized world, migration and transfers between countries are becoming more common, there are several cases that can lead an individual to leave their place of origin, although we are all aware of what is at stake in this decision, we are not always. aware of the stages of cultural shock that occur in the early years.
- The need to adapt to a new culture.
- A new language and a different lifestyle has a real emotional impact.
- This is called cultural shock.
- An experience in which emotions such as fear.
- Sadness.
- Euphoria.
- Confusion and uncertainty are present.
However, this is not a static and continuous thing. The migrant will go through different stages, with his own characteristics, until he can adapt to the new environment; a process that can take years. We’ll see more on the topic below.
Several authors have studied the impact of a new culture on the person moving from one country to another. In that sense, he? U-Curve? From Lysgaard (1955), who proposes the existence of three stages in the process of cultural adjustment: first, the person feels euphoric or happy, then he faces dissonance and cognitive imbalance to finally stabilize.
However, gullahorn and Gullahorn’s theory (1963) later emerged, which had the greatest impact, according to her, there are five stages of cultural shock and they are arranged in the form of W, so these cognitive and emotional ups and downs. lead the migrant to adapt to his or her new place of residence.
In this initial phase, emotion, joy and euphoria emerge. The host country is fascinating, exciting and new. Differences in our own culture tend to be seen as positive and motivate us to learn and cooperate, and we always feel close to all our previous identities and relationships.
At this point, the novelty is over and the new reality is irritating, cold and strange, the values and way of life of the new destination are not understood or shared, and the idea arises that everything was better in the place of origin.
Feelings of hostility, anxiety, frustration, and sadness are present and somatic symptoms can occur. The social support network we had (family and friends) now seems very remote and inaccessible.
During the adaptation phase positive and pleasurable emotions reappear, the new culture and its customs are already familiar and understandable, we have reached an adequate level of comfort and loneliness is no longer so bad, the vision is now more objective and practical, and we feel ready to take advantage of our new routine.
This phase usually occurs after a visit or trip to the country of origin. It turns out that things in our house have changed and we no longer feel like we are adapting to this place; the sense of belonging is affected, while we are trapped between two worlds to which we do not belong at all. The sense of nostalgia for a past that no longer exists is evident.
Moreover, in the new country we already have established a routine, there are no more novelties or stimuli, and this is where we can stop to think how much we miss our old life and our environment, feelings of isolation and loneliness predominate.
Finally, the culture, customs and values of the new country are quite familiar and ours, we were able to adapt to live and work in this place without feeling strange or frustrated, we are comfortable and feel at home.
Going through the different phases of this process of cultural adaptation can take several years. In addition, it is important to note that this is not a linear process. Phases can be alternated and repeated over and over again, until adaptation is finally achieved.
Knowing their existence can help migrants understand and normalize the emotions they experience, reducing the sense of uncertainty, knowing what to expect next to finish the process with a little luck.