I was curious, this evening about where I currently am in the process of culture shock. so here we go:
Stage 1: the honeymoon phase
During this stage, everything is wonderful and new and exciting and great and perfect. according to wikipedia, its like being in love. and i quote "like many honeymoons, this stage will eventually end...he or she will invariably have difficulty with"... everything. [the italics and "everything" added by me for emphasis]
Stage 2: the negotiation phase
In this stage everything is just different enough to be really sort of annoying. the excitement that was felt during the honeymoon phase gives way to anger and frustration because really, nothing is the same as home. and home is nice.
clearly i am in this phase. and i should move to the next stage for various emotional and psychological reasons....for both our sakes :)
Stage 3: the adjustment stage
in which you have a routine.... and a life.
Stage 4: the mastery phase
in this phase you are very comfortable in your host country and can communicate well and you get to continue with the actual living part. [as opposed to the just existing part as seen in other stages]
but! there is something else we need to talk about too. its called transition shock
"transition shock is a state of loss and disorientation predicted by a change in one's familiar environment which requires adjustment"
[my favorite] symptoms:
*excessive over cleanliness and health
*feelings of helplessness or withdrawal
* irritability
*glazed stare [im pretty sure i have this one]
*getting stuck on one thing [i know i have this one...i love Albert's yogurt. its just not good anywhere else]
*excessive sleep [i do this at home too, so i guess i cant count it as a symptom]
so its clear from my research that i am in the negotiation stage of culture shock and could be for the next YEAR and i have some symptoms of transition shock, but its a not full case yet.
hope means holding on to You. grace means Your'e holding me too.
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