Experts in cross-cultural studies tell us that “culture shock” is the second stage of ACCULTURATION which follows the first stage of Euphoria. This is a period of time that manifests itself by homesickness or compulsive behaviors. We are told we might experience a sudden aversion to the people and our new surroundings.
The Internet is littered with comments or examples of culture shock.
Be careful and discerning as you read them since they are not always describing a stage of acculturation but rather the momentary or light “shock” one gets when you encounter people and places so different than yourself or of which you never expected. True culture shock will be persistent, painful, and act a whole lot like clinical depression. Even in the public school where I work now, I can see the dark cloud descend upon my precious newcomers from Mexico to the USA. When the newness has worn off, they travel alone through the fog. How lovely when we see their eyes sparkle again on the other side!
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