Culture shock can be described as the feeling of confusion and disorientation that one experiences when faced with a large number of new and unfamiliar people and situations.Many things contribute to it-smells,sounds,flavors,the very feeling of the air one is breathing.Of course,the natives' unfamiliar language and behavior contribute to it,too.People's responses to culture shock vary greatly,from excitement and energetic action to withdrawal,depression,physical illness and hostility.A particular individual might react to culture shock one way one day and another the next.
The view of culture shock calls two useful points to mind.Firstly,most people experience some degree of culture shock when they go to a new country,whether they admit it to themselves and others or not.Culture shock is more a product of situation of being in a new culture than it is of the traveler's personal character.
Secondly,culture shock,like other kinds of "shock",is normally temporary.It passes with time.
Academic analysts of the culture shock idea point out that the experience of culture shock needs not be negative.While there may be some unhappiness and unpleasantness along with the confusion and disorientation,the confusion and disorientation are necessary steps in learning about a new culture.If everything in the new place is just like home,no learning will come from being there.
Notes
1.disorientation n.迷茫
2.withdrawal n.撤回
3.hostility n.对抗
4.temporary adj.临时的
5.analyst n.分析家
Task
Answer the questions:
1.What is culture shock?
It is the feeling of confusion and disorientation that one experiences when faced with a large number of new and unfamiliar people and situations.
2.What are people's responses to the culture shock?