Cultural shock is arguably the most discussed topic in immigration and cultural integration, and it is not unwarranted. For decades it has established itself as a near-unavoidable event for expatriates who leave a culture and settle themselves in a vastly different one—including Africans arriving in the United States.
But rest assured—cultural shock can be avoided or overcome as long as it is understood for what it is.
Cultural shock is not an isolated event but is the second phase in the cultural integration journey, also known as the Hostility stage. It is mainly defined by feelings of anxiety, frustration, fear, and anger that grow when the differences between cultures begin to settle.
In other words, you experience culture shock after realizing there are certain things in your new culture that you do not understand or enjoy. Perhaps you miss the way some things were done back at home, experience feelings of isolation, have gone through episodes of racism, or have failed to achieve your goals within the timeframe you expected.
Simply, the Hostility stage tends to be created by little to no social and personal support in a new environment, and a lack of understanding of the local culture and
As such, the key to overcoming cultural shock is time and proactivity. Try to learn the local language, read about your new home city, reach out to people or sign up for social activities that allow you to build a new circle of acquaintances. Only time and effort can make you a better acquaintance with your environment and the people in it.
Remember, it is a transition phase. However, if you feel you’ve been stuck in the Hostility stage for too long, be aware you can reach out to organizations dedicated to assisting African immigrants and refugees in America—they also count as support.
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