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Are You Equipped To Adapt To A New Culture?
Jayasree Ramani, The Business Workshop

Remember, the first time you actually started driving and the multiple types of stress you had to encounter! It must have been hard but did you stop driving?

Moving to a new country is a lot like driving for the first time. Initially it is very exciting, there is a sense of novelty and you are raring to go. But it is only when you hit the scene of action, that you actually realize how different and difficult it really is. You have to encounter potholes, rash drivers and so on. Phew!

Just the other day, a friend who had come down from the US, was sharing his experiences about his move. He was so confident when he left, he knew the language, and had heard so much from friends, seen so many movies. There shouldn't have then been any cause to worry.

But reaching there, he found that it was small differences which were actually hindrances in adapting to this new country and made him miss the "simplicity" of life at home. In reality, we are so habituated to a particular way of doing things that when done differently, we find it difficult to digest. Let me share with you some of my friend's experiences.

As soon as he landed at the airport, he found a kiosk, selling coffee. He ordered a cup for himself. You can imagine his surprise when a cup containing black hot liquid was handed to him, he was peering into the cup wondering if he had asked for the right thing. Suddenly, realization struck that if he wanted the "normal" coffee that he is used to, he needs to specifically ask for coffee with cream and sugar. This experience did leave him a little unsure, but more cautious for the next time.

He next decided to freshen up in the restroom. Wanting to use the face tissues, he kept rotating the dispensers' handle clockwise. Try as hard as he might, it wouldn't budge. Exasperated and frustrated, he was wondering what to do with his wet hands and face? When help came in the form of the person behind him telling him to swing it the other way round, and, amazingly, it glided through so easily. He was really embarrassed!

In his apartment, it took him quite a while to get used to the idea of light switches and doors operating in the reverse manner as compared to India. So used to the idea of just placing the order for the groceries at the local grocer and having the lad deliver all the goods on his two wheeler, it took him a while to get used to lugging all the grocery home on his own. Again, he found it a little distressing that there was no maid to do the dishes, laundry or the housework. Not to think of the other bigger cultural differences he had to cope with!

Listening to him I was left wondering, how such small things can add upto to a feeling of frustration. You feel increasingly vulnerable and may even start feeling homesick to the extent that you may want to catch the next flight home.

Factors that may make the transition hard
Let me share with you why adapting to a new culture can be so stressful. Ask yourself these questions. Are you afraid:

• of losing your identity? Is being severed from your roots worrying?
• that you will never fit into the new culture because everything is so different "out here"?
• of feeling alienated and lonely?
• of the difficulty experienced in moving out of the familiar comfort zone?
• of your own resistance to learning about the new culture and the language?
• of what will people back home think of me when I meet them again?

How can you prepare yourself for change?
Now that we know some of the reasons that account for stress in moving to a new country let us look for some tips to equip ourselves to adapt better.

• Have an open mind
  Accept that there are going to be differences. You will then be prepared to deal with them.
• Understand the reasons for the difference
  Read up or watch movies about the new country, in order to understand why and how they behave differently. You will find it easier to accept the differences if you understand.
• Avoid being judgmental about people
  It is very easy to fall into this trap of stereotyping people, this will influence your reactions to them and in turn school their behavior towards you.
• Maintain your sense your humour
  Looking at the humour in the situation will make it more easy to digest and your reaction might also be less offensive.
• Observe
  Look at people around you while shopping, standing in queues. See how they react, and what they say. Try this behaviour the next time time you are in a similar situation.
• Interact with people from your own country
  Seek the company of people of your own country, who have been living in this country for a long time. This not only gives you a sense of belonging, and frees you from a sense of alienation, you also learn how they have adapted, and you can learn from them.
• Remain in touch
  Be in touch with your parents and friends back home. Every time you share with them your life in this new country, you will find yourself relating better to the new culture.

Moving to a new country need not be highly stressful. If you have the right attitude, you may have many benefits to gain. Apart from making new friends and vast opportunities to avail of - you might even end up with a bagful of humorous anecdotes to share. So, get going and happy moving!