The Importance Of Experiencing Culture Shock
Why we need to experience it to become better human beings
Culture shock is a common phenomenon that occurs when people experience a sense of disorientation and discomfort due to cultural differences in a new environment. Being exposed new languages, customs, social norms, and ways of life can make people feel uncertain, confused, and absolutely homesick, however, they can be humbled by these experiences. In this article, we will explore the importance of experiencing culture shock and the unexpected benefits it can provide for people.
Culture Shock Makes You A Better Communicator
One of the primary benefits of experiencing culture shock is that it can enhance your communication skills. While trying to learn a new language or adapt to a different dialect can be a difficult task at first, it can lead to improved communication skills. No matter how terrible your attempts to communicate in a foreign country can turn out, you are going learn how to communicate one word and phrase at a time.
By being exposed to new languages and cultures, you are more likely to develop greater linguistic proficiencies and become more comfortable with communicating across cultural barriers. This can lead to more effective communication methods when you travel to somewhere new and your chances of becoming the lost tourist in a foreign country goes down drastically.
Culture Shock Makes You More Empathetic
When you move and explore to a new environment, you are exposed to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences that can challenge your preconceptions and beliefs. As a result, experiencing culture shock in foreign countries can lead to increased levels of empathy and understanding of others. By simply immersing ourselves in a new culture, you are forced to confront your own assumptions and biases about others.
Considering how people can be naturally terrible at being empathetic, experiencing culture shock can help people develop greater self-awareness and empathy towards others. As people learn to navigate unfamiliar situations and adapt to new cultures, they become more open-minded and receptive to different ways of thinking and living.
Culture Shock Inspires Creativity
Experiencing culture shock can also lead to the development of new art forms and creative expressions. People who are exposed to new and unfamiliar cultural practices may be inspired to create new forms of art that incorporate these practices or fuse them with their own cultural traditions. This can lead to the development of new and innovative art forms that contribute to the diversity and richness of global artistic expression.
This is why many artists travel all over the world when given the opportunity. While learning how to navigate in a different culture has its challenging and rewarding moments, the inspiration that culture shock can create is something that is completely unique to every person on the planet.
Culture Shock Makes You Adaptable
Moreover, experiencing culture shock can lead to increased levels of resilience and adaptability. When people are forced to navigate unfamiliar environments, they are forced learn from their surroundings and take every bit of information as a possible solution to any problems that arises.
By experiencing new cultural norms and their ways to fixing problems, you become smarter, wiser, and more adaptable to anything that comes your way. This can be beneficial in both our personal and professional settings, since we always face challenging circumstances in our day-to-day lives.
It Is Fulfilling AF
Finally, experiencing culture shock can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life. By immersing oneself in a new culture, individuals gain a greater appreciation for the diverse and complex natures of the world. This can lead to a more profound sense of meaning and purpose in life, as we develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
Down To Get Shocked By Culture?
While culture shock can be a challenging and disorienting experience, it stands as a valuable one that people should experience at least once in their lives. By immersing ourselves in a new environment and culture, we can develop a greater sense of empathy, expand our knowledge of the world, and ultimately live a richer and more fulfilling life.
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About the Creator
Jay Kobayashi
A starving writer from LA who aspires to be plagiarized one day. I like to write about academic pieces that identifies philosophy and psychology in pop culture, and sometimes random fun pieces that interests me or the algorithm!



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