Has anyone come across this before. I have just read it on <ahem> another online forum and am copying and pasting it here. Quite helpful I thought.
The theory is that when you move to a new country you go through several periods of adjustment.
Phase 1 - Honeymoon
Euphoria, Energy, Differences seem minor, Host culture is new and exciting
Phase 2 - Initial Culture Shock
Increasing sense of confusion, Disroientation, Loss of energy
Phase 3 - Superficial Adjustment
Learning how to survive, Can function within a limited, familiar space
Phase 4 - Depression and Isolation
Losing touch with home culture, Awareness of deep cultural differences, Loss of self-esteem, Loss of support of family and friends, Feeling threatened, Withdrawal, depression, tension, fatigue, homesickness, Stereotyping and hostility toward host nationals
Phase 5 - Compensation and Reintegration
Developing coping behaviour, Less defensive, more accepting, Developing new infrastructure, More open minded, relaxed
Phase 6 - Autonomy and Integration
Learning to value cultural differences, New found self confidence
The curve rises and dips according to your feelings of the moment, eventually settling on a plateau at Phase 6.
Phase 4 is the phase which has the highest rate of expats returning to their own country, of "giving up".
It is important to recognise these phases, and that it is normal to feel this way.
The theory is that when you move to a new country you go through several periods of adjustment.
Phase 1 - Honeymoon
Euphoria, Energy, Differences seem minor, Host culture is new and exciting
Phase 2 - Initial Culture Shock
Increasing sense of confusion, Disroientation, Loss of energy
Phase 3 - Superficial Adjustment
Learning how to survive, Can function within a limited, familiar space
Phase 4 - Depression and Isolation
Losing touch with home culture, Awareness of deep cultural differences, Loss of self-esteem, Loss of support of family and friends, Feeling threatened, Withdrawal, depression, tension, fatigue, homesickness, Stereotyping and hostility toward host nationals
Phase 5 - Compensation and Reintegration
Developing coping behaviour, Less defensive, more accepting, Developing new infrastructure, More open minded, relaxed
Phase 6 - Autonomy and Integration
Learning to value cultural differences, New found self confidence
The curve rises and dips according to your feelings of the moment, eventually settling on a plateau at Phase 6.
Phase 4 is the phase which has the highest rate of expats returning to their own country, of "giving up".
It is important to recognise these phases, and that it is normal to feel this way.
