Culture shock is so named because of the effect it has on
people when they enter a new culture. Experts have been interested in these
effects and have agreed on five basic stages of culture shock. These stages are
general and should only be used as a reference. Not every individual will go
through each stage, and one stage may last longer than another for different
individuals. The hardest thing for most travelers to deal with
is the emotional "roller coaster" they seem to be riding. One moment they feel
very positive toward the new culture, and the next moment very negative. It
seems common that international visitors and immigrants vacillate (犹豫不定) between
loving and hating a new country. Feelings of separation and alienation can be
intensified if they do not have a sense of fitting in or belonging.
Fatigue is another problem people face when entering a new culture. There
can be a sense of a greater need for sleep. This is due not only to physical
tiredness, but also to mental fatigue. This mental fatigue comes from straining
to comprehend the language, and coping with new situations. The
impact of culture shock can vary from person to person. There can be significant
differences because some people may be better prepared to enter a new culture.
Four factors which play into these are personality, language ability, length of
stay, and the emotional support received. It is logical to think
that when people are deprived of their familiar surroundings they will feel
disoriented. One solution some have found is to bring a few small reminders of
home. Pictures, wall hangings, favorite utensils, and keepsakes (纪念品) are all
good candidates to make things feel more familiar. Another helpful activity is
to establish little routines that become familiar over time. Even better is
fitting things that were part of the regular routine back in the home country
into the routine established in the new culture. This will make people feel more
at home. Coping with new situations may result in ______ .