Language and cultural differences challenge many individuals who work or study in a culture other than their own. This is true even when the new culture seems similar to the one at home. Some may go through a period of "culture shock" that can last years. Culture shock is more than homesickness. It can involve a complex mixture of emotions (positive and negative) from struggling with the new practices and values to coping with new understandings of self and others, building social relationships, and establishing a sense of one's self as a competent individual in the new setting.
Some experts say that people who struggle with acculturation problems go on to achieve higher levels of cross-cultural adjustment, with or without psychotherapy. True or not, when it's happening to you, it's disruptive, anxiety producing, depressing, and isolating. It may get in the way of self-confidence and clear thinking . Sometimes it leads to physical problems. I have worked with clients from Asia, South America and Europe and I understand challenges they have faced.
Vijay is a late 30's successful biochemist who recently emigrated from India and is struggling with culture-related stress. He has given up a lot in the way of income to move here. Despite intense anxiety about his decision, he has decided to stay. He is insecure about his command of English as well as whether he is performing well enough in his new position. He has difficulty sleeping, is anxious and depressed. Psychotherapy has helped him feel more secure in himself and comfortable with his decision to emigrate.
Flora is a successful 43-year-old attorney from Mexico. Although she has been in the US since she was 6, she still bears the scars of feeling different and other acculturation problems. Cultural values and close-knit families were key values in her upper-class background. Now that her daughter is 15 and having her quinceanera--something very important to Flora, less so to her daughter--she is aware of how Americanized her daughter is. When her daughter shuts her out and other mothers tell her that this is natural, she re-experiences the pain of cultural differences and the added pain of mother-daughter relationship conflict. Talking about the issues her daughter faces as well as her own experience has helped her understand herself and her daughter better.
Monika is a 40-year-old German woman living here with her diplomat husband. Her cross-cultural adjustment is complicated by the stress of having a multiply-disabled son who requires significant care. Although she is happy to be here, she wanted to be more comfortable and so sought psychotherapy. Monika feels isolated from the mothers in her son's school of high-achieving children and is reliant on her husband's friends/colleagues for relationships. Although she is intelligent, at social gatherings she is the 'wife.' She has experienced frequent anxiety attacks and moderate depression since arriving in Washington. Psychotherapy has helped her adjust and feel less anxious, more confident in herself.