The Ups and Downs

Summary

The script discusses the stages of expatriation, including the honeymoon phase, initial culture shock, adaptation, and the challenging re-entry shock upon returning home. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to cultural differences and preparing for the emotional challenges of living abroad.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Expatriation is an exciting but challenging period for individuals and families.
• 🌈 The 'honeymoon phase' is characterized by the novelty and excitement of being in a new environment.
• 😕 Initial culture shock can occur when the excitement fades and daily life challenges become more apparent.
• 🤔 During culture shock, small issues can seem magnified due to the unfamiliar context.
• 🏠 Resisting the urge to return home during the initial shock phase can lead to superficial adaptation.
• 📚 Learning basic norms and etiquette is a part of superficial adaptation to a new culture.
• 🤯 Full culture shock may involve feeling that the host culture's values are fundamentally at odds with one's own.
• 🔄 The integration phase involves gaining respect for and understanding of the host culture's perspective.
• 🏡 Re-entry or reverse culture shock is the challenging process of returning to one's home country after expatriation.
• 🛣 Recognizing that one's perspective has changed is crucial for dealing with reverse culture shock effectively.
• 👍 Most people experience these phases during expatriation, and it's a normal part of the adjustment process.

Q & A

What is the 'honeymoon phase' in the context of expatriation?

The 'honeymoon phase' is the initial period of expatriation where everything is new and exciting, similar to being a tourist or the beginning of a relationship. During this phase, cultural differences are noticed but are often brushed off as interesting or charming.

What should expatriates do during the honeymoon phase to prepare for later challenges?

Expatriates should use the positive energy of the honeymoon phase to establish themselves, create a social network, and develop routines that will be needed to cope with challenges later on.

What is the initial culture shock and how does it differ from the honeymoon phase?

The initial culture shock is the phase where expatriates can no longer pretend to be tourists as the stakes are higher. It might be triggered by a conflict, problem, or sickness, and expatriates start to feel more easily shaken and question their decision to move.

Why should expatriates be careful about taking a trip back to their home country during the initial culture shock phase?

Taking a trip back to the home country during the initial culture shock phase might be difficult for expatriates to return from, as they may feel more disconnected from their new environment. Instead, they should rely on the relationships and routines established during the honeymoon phase.

What is superficial adaptation and how does it relate to the expatriation process?

Superficial adaptation is when expatriates have learned the easy norms of the society by copying what they see, such as routines, etiquette, and simple do's and don'ts. However, they may still struggle with the deeper values, priorities, and ideas that are unfamiliar to them.

What is full culture shock and how does it affect expatriates?

Full culture shock is the phase where expatriates conclude that the people they live with are either barbarians or have fundamentally different views on life, work, faith, or social approach. This can lead to a desire to isolate oneself and avoid real human contact.

What strategies can expatriates use to overcome full culture shock?

Expatriates should force themselves to engage in social contact and gradually gain respect for the local perspective, realizing that they don't have to become like the locals but just need to understand why their world makes sense to them.

What is the integration phase in expatriation and what does it signify?

The integration phase is when expatriates have come to respect and understand the local perspective without needing to adopt it completely. They have learned to navigate the cultural differences and feel more at home in their new environment.

What is reverse culture shock and why is it a challenge for returning expatriates?

Reverse culture shock is the re-entry shock experienced by expatriates when they return to their home country. They may find that they have changed while their home country has not, leading to a feeling of not fitting in where they once felt they belonged.

How can expatriates prepare for reverse culture shock?

Expatriates can prepare for reverse culture shock by realizing that it is a common experience and by actively seeking to re-adapt to their home culture, understanding that they have grown and changed during their time abroad.

What is the general advice given to expatriates regarding the various phases of expatriation?

The general advice is to recognize that most people go through these phases during expatriation and to approach each phase with an open mind, seeking to understand and adapt to the new culture while maintaining a connection to their home culture.