What is culture shock?

Culture shock refers to the disorientation or distress experienced by individuals when they encounter a culture that is significantly different from their own. This emotional and psychological reaction can occur when one moves to a new country or even when faced with unfamiliar cultural practices and norms. The term encapsulates the feeling of confusion and anxiety that arises from the challenge of navigating a new cultural landscape, which can be perceived as traumatic due to the unknown and unexpected elements of the new environment.

Recognizing culture shock as a trauma emphasizes the intensity of the feelings involved, including stress, homesickness, and frustration. As individuals try to reconcile their previous experiences with the new cultural context, they may struggle with feelings of isolation or frustration, leading to significant emotional responses.

The other options do not fully capture the essence of culture shock. The emotional response to returning home is often referred to as reverse culture shock, which occurs after returning from abroad. A positive experience of learning a new culture describes a more optimistic phase of cultural adjustment and adaptation, which contrasts with the confusion of initial culture shock. The concept of a gradual adjustment to a new cultural environment reflects the process that typically follows culture shock, rather than defining it. Therefore, defining culture shock as a traumatic experience accurately conveys the challenges faced when adapting to