Managing Life Overseas: Culture clash and the recovery phase - Part 2

In the blog last week, we focused on the initial steps of recovery from culture clash, the motivation to re-evaluate the context, and then making a commitment to adapt perceptions, value judgements, and behaviour. This week we will move on to defining what is meant by the recovery phase including an exploration of some simple practical techniques that can aid this process.

What is meant by the recovery phase?

While the concepts together with the relative positioning of the U-Curve sequence differ in published models, in my more personal experiential version, some awareness of an immediate need to a re-evaluate the current unsustainable circumstances together with a willingness to adapt perceptions and behaviour necessarily precedes any realistic possible entry into the recovery phase.

One reason for this is that they symbolise a personal declaration of the requirement for change and an expression of commitment to action that consequentially provides a sense of direction to the process of recovery.

Then, the recovery phase itself illustrates a crucial point of transition from prior antagonistic comparisons and value judgements towards a full acceptance of the new host surroundings.

Furthermore, at this point, the sojourner gradually experiences an improvement in their emotional sense of well-being while gaining a deeper understanding of the host context. This in turn promotes a progressively more positive outlook and wider empathy for cultural differences.

Some strategies that aid recovery

The tactics identified below are based on my personal observations and discussions with colleagues, together with a large cultural cross section of senior students who all made excellent recoveries following some original setbacks. None of their responses involved making sudden or dramatic personal life changes, but instead they prioritised undertaking very gradual targeted modifications that would immediately improve interpersonal interaction.

Put simply, recovery is largely underpinned by becoming more comfortable in one’s surroundings and therefore less alienated from the immediate daily cultural context.

Examples of behavioural tactics

First, focus on practical behavioural modifications that can boost positive interpersonal interactions, rather than struggle with deeply held cultural values that you might never fully agree with or even feel comfortable compromising.

Then, reevaluate your daily routine and brainstorm ways in which you can make it more practically functional and comfortable. Moreover, prioritise interactions within the immediate local community. For example, select a few local shops to visit regularly, rather than impersonal international supermarkets where it is unusual for anyone to interact other than with immediate friends and family.

Another tactic that with due patience will work is to find a local café or bar, depending on your personal preference, and make yourself a regular at a certain point during the day each week. Soon, you will be warmly welcomed by the owner and staff who, in time, will introduce you to other regular clients.

This tactic of being visible locally at regular times during the day each week can also be applied if there is a relatively quiet public space in your immediate area where locals gather to chat about the latest news and exchange gossip. In my experience of sitting around in a park or some other collection point and just watching the world pass by, someone will eventually be brave or curious enough to introduce themselves. However, always have some work available in case the individual appears odd in some way or is trying to sell something, especially any religion.

Put simply, you must actively work to gradually make your local area and community your new home from home in which you feel comfortable while the locals develop the same attitude towards you.

Examples of attitudinal tactics

Next, gradually shifting from being the highly opinionated cross-cultural comparative critic that is based on unsound value-judgements of the unfavourable contrast with home to becoming an active objective researcher of the new culture. Then, from the outset, focus on identifying one new aspect of the culture each day that you had not previously noticed before and that you now find at the very least intriguing. Being a critic is an intellectually lazy option while the researcher perspective is based on the premise of attempting to objectively evaluate the people and surroundings.

Finally, at a very simple and personal level, make a commitment each day to identifying one additional aspect of the culture that you find interesting or even enjoyable, and then evaluate the reasons for your new perspective.

In conclusion, it is important to note carefully, especially if this is your first extended period living overseas, that the recovery phase, should it even be required, can be a rather frustrating period. The primary reason for this is that, during this process, many people continuously fluctuate between experiencing periods of progress followed by lapses back into minor irritations. This must not be allowed to distract you from the objective of full recovery and eventual mastery of life in the new home from home. Yes, we can, yes, we shall, yes, we must!

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Question 1

Why does the experience of culture clash motivate a commitment to readjustment?

Question 2

To what extent is it always easier to modify behaviour rather than attempt to change attitudes?

Question 3

What are the key signs that demonstrate the ability to master life in a host cultural context?

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We shall explore Question 3 in the next blog.