Do These Situations Trigger Cross-Cultural Stress?

• Your usual habits of workplace or social communication (customs of politeness, expressions of emotion, etc.) don't always work the way you expect.
• People behave in ways that aren't usual in your country. Sometimes, it is not clear what the rules for appropriate, customary behavior are.
• You find that people here have surprisingly different cultural values about the importance of family, money, time and other things.
• No one seems to understand who you really are, or care who your family is. Your previous accomplishments, profession, or job positions seem unimportant.
• You realize that people have different beliefs from your culture about reality, such as what causes sickness/health, or whether there is a spiritual realm, and its nature.
• Despite all these cross-cultural stresses, you are expected to function with full competence.

Are These Symptoms You Experience?

It's typical to experience some of the following from culture-related stress:

• sleep difficulty
• irritability
• depression
• homesickness
• exhaustion
• anxiety
• a desire to withdraw
• unexplained weeping
• overeating or overdrinking

Many people experience one or more of these symptoms-sometimes referred to as culture shock-between two months and a year into their stay in the new country. Normally, these symptoms will come and go, and eventually they will pass. If they don't after several weeks, look for help.

Fighting Culture-Related Stress

The majority of people that emigrate from other countries have the ability to solve acculturation problems and succeed in a new environment. Some ways to combat stress produced by acculturation problems are:

• Be patient, the act of immigrating is a process of adaptation to new situations. It will take time.
• Keep up connections with your ethnic group. This will give you a feeling of belonging and you'll feel less lonely and unconnected.
• Make connections with the new culture. Learn the language. Make at least one American friend-this is important. It will increase your English ability, help you understand the U.S., and make you feel a part of the community more quickly.
• Let yourself feel sad about the things that you have left behind: your family, your friends, etc.
• Recognize your sorrow at leaving your old country. Accept your new country. Focus your efforts on getting through the acculturation process.
• Establish simple goals and evaluate your progress in adjustment to the new culture.
• Maintain your confidence. Follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the future.
• If acculturation problems are than you can handle comfortably, look for help. There is always someone or some service to help you.