Culture Shock

Culture Shock (noun)

Dictionary.com - a state of bewilderment and distress experienced by an individual who is suddenly exposed to a new, strange, or foreign social and cultural environment.

Google - The feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.

Almost from when I arrived people started asking me about “culture shock.” I don’t really like that question, because I find it hard to answer. At least I did, because the answer isn’t yes or no, it’s not just one sentence. To answer this question I need to think, reflect, and process what I have and am experiencing. And this means my answer, or at least parts of it, will change and grow as I do.

Hiking up to Monserrate (10,341 ft - 3,152 m)

This was also a hard question to answer, because when you first arrive somewhere, everything is exciting and new. There’s always more to discover. I was getting to know Bogotá, a new job, new co-workers, I was traveling to other parts of Colombia and beyond, and I moved into my own apartment and all the adventures that entailed. This time is also called the “honey moon stage.”

So, as you have probably guessed, I’ve been thinking about this for a while and am no longer in the ‘honey moon stage.’ That isn’t to say that I don’t find living in Bogotá exciting and enjoyable, but that I’m feeling more moments of culture shock, aka disorientation to unfamiliar things. And obviously there are many unfamiliar things.

I think I feel this most in social settings. I love getting to know people, going out and experiencing life here. Yet at the same time, whenever I’m with people, there always seems to be another awkward moment, and more questions, always rolling around in my brain. What’s the right greeting in this setting? What are they talking about? How am I supposed to act right now? Is that a joke, a compliment? What’s normal?  It’s trying to laugh at jokes when you don’t understand everything, and smile and nod at appropriate times when you’re not really catching what’s being said.

People are really gracious, and understand that Spanish isn’t my first language, and that I’m learning about Colombian life, but I get tired. It starts to feel cumbersome to be the one always asking, “What does that word mean?” To be the one that always needs every joke explained, and to have the doubts floating around as I wonder if I’m unknowingly offending someone. You don’t realize all the little unspoken things that everyone ‘just knows,’ until you’re in a new place and feel like you don’t know anything.

Even your personality changes a bit in another language, because you share your personality by how you express yourself. I’m no comedian but I have a sense of humour, sometimes sarcastic, and I enjoy some good one liners and word play. But in Spanish that completely changes. Most of the jokes I try to make fail miserably or fall flat. My vocabulary is greatly diminished, and at times I get frustrated with the inability to express myself the way I want, the way I can in English.

Hiking on the MCC retreat

All of this could sound rather negative, and yes there are moments when it gets me down. Yet, I am still so thankful for the many positive things in my life here. The MCC and MWC community that I get to be a part of is an incredible blessing. I’m making new friends (yay!), and getting to go out and experience different parts of Bogotá and other parts of Colombia. And even though my limitations in Spanish can frustrate me endlessly, I do think that my Spanish has improved since I arrived.

Culture shock is another step in living in and getting used to a new place. It’s not always easy, but I also know I’m not alone as I walk through it.

Thanks for reading this, and I hope it helps explain how I’m processing things right now.  I’d love to hear from you too! Have you experienced culture shock? What was it like for you?