Stages of Culture Shock

As a new migrant to Australia, you will almost certainly experience some form
of Culture Shock.

This was very well explained at a web site that used to be at:
www.doctortravel.ca/culture_shock.asp and some excerpts are detailed here:

Psychologists describe five distinct phases (or stages) of culture shock.

Tourist or honeymoon phase

At first a person's stay in a new country, everything usually goes fairly
smoothly.

This period could last 6 months or longer. The newcomer is excited about
being in a new place and experiencing a new lifestyle. The newcomer may have
some problems, but usually accepts them as just part of the newness.

The newcomer may find that "the red carpet" has been rolled out for him or
her. The feeling is the same for developing and highly developed countries.

Emptiness or rejection phase

The newcomer has to deal with transportation problems (buses that don't come on
time), shopping problems (can't buy favourite foods) or communication problems.
One may start to seem like people no longer care about your problems. They may
help, but they don't seem to understand your concern over what they see as small
problems.

You might even start to think that the people in the host country don't like
foreigners and are becoming alien. The symptoms listed above start to present
themselves in full force. The newcomer may begin to feel aggressive and start to
complain about the host culture/country. However, it is important to recognize
that these feelings are real and can become serious.

This phase is a kind of crisis in the 'disease' of culture shock. It is called
the "rejection" phase because it is at this point that the newcomer starts to
reject the host country, complaining about and noticing only the bad things that
bother them.

At this stage the newcomer may either move on to the third stage, seek comfort
with a colony of countrymen “Colony Syndrome” or simply go home.

The Conformist Phase

This is characterized by gaining some understanding of the new culture, its
ideals and values. A new feeling of pleasure and sense of humour may be
experienced. One may start to feel a certain psychological balance.

The crisis is over when one starts to understand and tolerate cultural
differences. The new arrival may not feel as lost and starts to have a feeling
of direction. The newcomer is now 90% adjusted to the new culture.

Assimilation Phase or Complete Adjustment

In this stage we accept the food, drinks, habits and customs of the host
country, and may even find some things preferable in the host country to things
at home.

One realizes that there are different ways to live and that no way is really
better than another, just different.

Finally, the “expat” has become comfortable in the new place.

Reverse Shock

The fifth phase of culture shock is called "reverse culture shock" or "re-entry shock" and occurs when returning home.
Most returning expatriates have a fairly rough time before settling at home again.
Your international life will have changed you for ever.

Scotland

Nothing to do with Culture Shock, but some people may like to refresh their memories with some Photographs from Scotland at:

Old Scotland In Photographs
Welcome To The Old Scotland In Photographs Website. Browse and buy a range of old Scottish images dating pre 1946.