Adjusting to a new culture can be either easy or simple, however, for the majority of individuals who relocate to a country with a distinct cultural background, the initial years are challenging. While some individuals adapt swiftly, others require more time. It is undeniable that everyone necessitates an adjustment period when commencing a fresh life in an unfamiliar location. I am not exempt from this reality. Three years ago, I arrived in the United States with hopes of embarking on a new chapter in my life; nevertheless, my understanding of America was predominantly derived from films rather than personal encounters.
In accordance with Peter Gardner’s “stages of cultural adjustment” (38), I personally underwent the process of cultural adjustment upon my arrival in a foreign land. Nevertheless, not all of these stages were applicable to my particular circumstances. The initial stage, commonly referred to as the “honeymoon period” (38), typically entails a sense of fascination and exhilaration (38). Regrettably, I did not encounter this period as I was profoundly let down by the actuality in Utica when compared to the depiction of the United States that I had witnessed on television.
Experiencing unpleasant homes, dilapidated streets, and a lack of future prospects was both disheartening and surprising. I never expected to encounter such circumstances in America. This moment signified the beginning of my fresh start. Gardner refers to this phase as “culture shock” (38). The memories from that time are still vividly etched in my memory. It became clear that going back home wasn’t an option; I had to find a way to adapt to this unfamiliar environment. Despite initially thinking I was ready to assimilate like any other American, it quickly became apparent that everyday challenges such as language barriers, transportation complications, and job opportunities were causing significant difficulties for me.
I lacked sufficient English skills to even go to the store, so I relied on one of my cousins whenever I needed to go somewhere. Eventually, my cousin helped me find a job at a construction site where I worked alongside experienced American employees who were familiar with their responsibilities and understood instructions from our supervisor. In contrast, I struggled to comprehend anything in English. I attempted to observe and mimic their actions, but I appeared peculiar and everything seemed amusing due to my lack of understanding in the language.
In my country, the way people work differs greatly from America. One notable difference is that in my country, it is preferable to complete tasks or agreements before their deadlines, while in America, the opposite is true. For example, you might start a project such as stacking bricks only to be told to stop and demolish everything you’ve built. Additionally, collaborative work and mutual assistance are common practices in my country but not in America. If you are unable to physically handle manual labor all day, like working on ceilings with your hands, there won’t be anyone available to replace you.
My aunt burned her arm at work, but the supervisor, instead of replacing her, made her continue working for the rest of the shift with a burnt hand. The incident also highlighted cultural differences. On the other hand, I was astounded by the disparity between what is considered important in my country versus America. For instance, clothing and appearance, as well as the lack of people walking on sidewalks, stood out to me. Additionally, it was striking how I didn’t encounter many intoxicated individuals on the streets in the US, whereas it is a normal occurrence in my country. Furthermore, I personally felt discomfort due to the changes in both food and climate.
In America, fast food is prevalent, which is not quite in line with my usual lifestyle. The rapid changes in climate, characteristic of Utica, have also affected my health, frequently leading to headaches. These examples are all from real-life experiences in a new culture, a step that beginners cannot bypass. Occasionally, I find myself returning to this step in my life when I encounter something that is not yet compatible with my world view of the new culture, even after going through “Culture shock” and moving on to the next stage, known as “initial adjustment” (38).
As individuals gain a better understanding of cultural norms and language, they begin to feel more comfortable and optimistic. This enables them to pursue their desired career paths and shape their lives accordingly. I personally experienced this stage when discussing my initial job experience. Despite any challenges in the previous phase, it was a significant milestone in my life. Working with Americans allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of their way of life, language, and culture.
Having never understood or spoken a different language before, it greatly assisted me. At present, I possess nearly everything that is typical in American culture – a house, job, car, and money. No longer am I reliant on others. Putting forth my utmost effort to utilize my language skills enabled those around me to comprehend me better. This generated an abundance of motivation for me. My work began yielding positive results and my annual income increased. Henceforth, I realized that things are not always as bleak as they may appear. Additionally, recognizing the significance of personal growth and perseverance became clear to me; otherwise, one may find themselves progressing to the subsequent stage even though it could have been avoidable.
Peter Gardner’s definition of this stage is referred to as “mental isolation” (38). Personally, I have not personally experienced this feeling of being mentally isolated because I lack attachments to my previous life and can easily adapt to new situations and locations. The experience of mental isolation differs from person to person. I have never deliberately placed myself in a state of solitude nor have I ever felt uninterested. Instead, my focus is on establishing new friendships and adjusting to different cultures through work, communication, and education. In today’s society, we have various forms of communication that allow us to stay connected with our friends and family back home while living abroad. However, I chose not to engage in this phase within my own life due to my understanding of the importance of moving forward.
I am gradually moving towards the final stage known as “acceptance and integration” (38) according to Gardner. I have no desire to conform to societal norms or adopt the same lifestyle as others in a new culture. Instead, I resist fully relying on financial motives or loans. My objective is to assimilate and thrive in this new culture, treating it as my own and where I grew up. I have wholeheartedly embraced this alternative way of life. By pursuing education at college, forming new friendships, and securing an admirable job, I am beginning to genuinely feel like I belong here.
Acknowledging the inevitability of change and the passage of time, I have experienced a transition from longer to shorter periods while adapting to a new culture. This process is commonly faced by many individuals, and although certain stages of cultural adjustment may have been skipped, I am currently in the concluding stage. My objective now is to successfully navigate this stage. Regardless of the length or difficulty of one’s journey into a new culture, I strongly believe that everyone will adapt. To those who are new to this experience, I want to assure you that achieving goals is possible under any circumstances.
Work Sited
According to Gardner (2005), there are different stages of cultural adjustment as discussed in his book New Directions: Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking (2nd edition). These stages are important to understand for individuals who are adapting to a new culture.
