Culture Shock
By j00nior
@j00nior (182)
Canada
May 17, 2010 7:44pm CST
I just moved to Mexico and I think I'm going through what some refer to as 'Culture Shock'. I am just wondering what are the characteristics of culture shock so I can know if what I am experiencing is in fact, culture shock. Then, the second part of my question is how do you cope with it? What are some strategies to deal with it and get over it. I moved from Canada to Mexico, I don't know how to speak Spanish at all, I'm trying to learn my hardest. I will be here for at least three more months and I'm feeling a little bit depressed because I can only communicate to a few people. Everything is very different and its just really hitting me right now. So please respond if you read this, I'm in need of advice!
3 responses
@marguicha (215894)
• Chile
18 May 10
I think that the best you can do is to try to learn Spanish. One way of doing it is watching TV in Spanish. Soap operas are perfect as they are SO basic
. Try to speak even if it doesn´t come out as you want: mexicans are usually very helpful. Ask everyone to speak slow to you so you can pick up the words: "Hable mas lento, por favor".
You will have a wonderful experience if you give it a chance. Where in Mexico are you staying?
Take care and stop mylotting and go talk!!!
. Try to speak even if it doesn´t come out as you want: mexicans are usually very helpful. Ask everyone to speak slow to you so you can pick up the words: "Hable mas lento, por favor".
You will have a wonderful experience if you give it a chance. Where in Mexico are you staying?
Take care and stop mylotting and go talk!!!@marguicha (215894)
• Chile
18 May 10
No, but I have visited Mexico several times and I love it. I am from Chile so I don´t have the language barrier.
Do your best to visit Ciudad de Mexico, now that you are there. It´s the biggest city in the world and it has anything tou could ever wish for.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
18 May 10
I am an experienced traveler. When I was 20 years old I traveled around the world. Australia felt familiar to me and quite homely. I felt fine in Singapore because it is a gentle introduction to Asia. I got some culture shock when I visited Sumatra in Indonesia. I saw terrible poverty there. I had a lot of men trying to chat to me. I had people interested in me wherever I went. I felt a bit homesick because at that time in my life because it was so different to anywhere I had been before. Of course now I have been to lots of different countries I don't seem to suffer from culture shock.
Over the years I have been to some countries in Eastern Europe. I visited Hungary when I was 18 years old. It was so different to Western Europe and it was a wow experience for me. At that time it was really cheap and it was a bargain. Since then it has changed completely and become more pricey. A few years ago I visited Bulgaria where I experienced language difficulties. When having a severe language barrier it is normal to feel a bit of a culture shock.
I suggest you make friends with other foreign people and local folk. Then you should try to learn Spanish to a good standard. Other foreign people will be trying to learn Spanish. You could try to explore the local area and get a liking for the scenery. I have visited Mexico twice. Good luck.
@marguicha (215894)
• Chile
18 May 10
Hi Maxine!
You gave good travel advise as always.
. The language barrier is SO powerful. It´s difficult to make friends if you don´t know the language. But young people learn fast: I´m sure that mixing with mexicans will do the trick.
. The language barrier is SO powerful. It´s difficult to make friends if you don´t know the language. But young people learn fast: I´m sure that mixing with mexicans will do the trick.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
18 May 10
It sounds like culture shock to me! The depression is a key characteristic of such. I would suggest getting out safely and finding some things to adopt into your routine. Things you'll enjoy while you stay there. Maybe like a particular coffee shop or something like that. If you get out you can meet more people and perhaps you can develop relationship. That can change you for the rest of your life!
