A Taste of Culture Shock

NOTE: This is a picture of the gulf where I walk sometimes at night. It really is pretty here. What is not pretty is adjusting to Culture Shock. Attached is a well-written piece that explains what it's like. I did not write this, but it could have been me. I thought I'd add it so you can see what we're REALLY feeling. I found it on a post for ExPats. We've experienced all what is written in this article to one degree or another. Thanks for the AWARE center for making me aware of what I was feeling.

From an anonomyous source...

When I first arrived in Kuwait, I was worn out. I arrived in Kuwait in the middle of the night.

I was ushered through the visa section as I cast furtive glances at the armed military men telling me to move to a new line in a language I didn't understand. I then walked through what looked like an intimidating gauntlet of people on either side of me. Finally, locating my driver in the crowd I was on my way to my new home.I was given a quick tour of the school facilities at night, and collapsed into bed about 2a.m.

I awoke to the call to the prayer about one hour later, but not even having a clock, I had no idea what time it was. After waiting an eternity for daybreak, I headed out to see my new classroom. My school was located inside a compound, I found myself confused and disorientated, wandering around – frantically trying to find the door to school I had seen the previous night.

Finally, dripping in sweat, feeling emotional and light-headed, I spotted a couple I had been introduced to the night before. Being the only people I know in Kuwait, I showed up on their doorstep and collapsed into tears. My new friends fed me sugar, salt and water as they told me I was suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration. I learned culture shock lesson number one: the importance of drinking lots of water in Kuwait.

Over the next few weeks culture shock grabbed me by the throat and wrestled me to the ground. I felt completely incompetent – like a child – not understanding there were two kinds of plugs; that I needed adapters for the outlets, and a different one for the phone or that the outlets had an on-off switch. I couldn't find my regular kinds of food. When I turned on the cold water, it came out hot. During Ramadan I could not get to my bank because they changed the hours drastically.

All these experiences gave me a classic case of culture shock which happens when a person travels into a place that is unfamiliar to them. They feel they no longer have control over even basic needs. When I went out I attracted undue attention because of the color of my hair. I saw women dressed in black, covering their faces and imagined they were giving me judgmental looks, since all I could see was their eyes lined in black khol. I had to get over the feeling of helplessness of being a single woman in a culture where women do not often go out unescorted. It was a tremendous jump for me.

In many cases of culture shock a person can feel the locals are hostile to them. It should be noted this is a feeling and normally the reality.Once I settled into my new home, things became easier. I took advantage of the yachting club's free day out and sailed around the Gulf for a few hours. I began walking to local stores, taking taxis' to interesting places like the Friday market, malls and gold souks. I eventually settled into my new apartment and work routine. I made friends, and began writing email daily. That was how I overcame my initial shock.

Welcome to life as an expatriate. Amazingly, that is what the experts recommend. Break out of your shell, start conversations, learn a few phrases in the local language, and develop your routines and interests. Try not to be judgmental. Don't surround yourself with expatriates that feel hostile towards the country or people.