Suppose you have recently arrived in the United States and find yourself taken by the culture and way of life in a manner similar to that of a kid in a candy store. In that case, you might be in the Honeymoon stage of the cultural integration journey—the first out of four phases.
The Honeymoon stage is defined by an overwhelming fascination and a thrilling sense of wonder at every aspect of the new culture you’re settling in. Whether it is the local food or a minor custom during greetings, odds are you might find every detail fantastic.
However, this particular stage shouldn’t be confused with the general sense of happiness from loving a culture. The thrill within the Honeymoon stage is prompted by human curiosity and the joy of discovering new things for the first time. This means it often fades away as the new “normality” settles in, and the first signs of trouble start to pop up.
Because of this, the main advice for immigrants going through the Honeymoon phase is to remain savvy about its temporary nature and embrace reality when the rose-tinted glasses come off. Easier said than done, but it’s much more viable to manage eventual struggles when one is aware that they will come. In that manner, the shock between stages will carry less impact.
But this is not set in stone since the Honeymoon phase is not a universal experience. For example, individuals who were forced to migrate against their will or those previously familiarized with the new culture they’re settling in might skip the phase altogether. As such, do not feel inadequate if you believe you never felt like your new home was only rainbows and butterflies.
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