CULTURE SHOCK

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, good afternoon

The Honorable, the judges, and my beloved friends
I’m Kharisma Saputri, from Muhammadiyah University Of Makassar, I am
standing here in front of you to deliver my speech with them “Culture Shock”
Ladies and gentlemen
Culture shock is considered a natural thing for most international students.
However, this should not be taken lightly because it can trigger acute
depression. Culture shock is a condition in which a person experiences a sudden
change in cultural values or new culture when the person moves to a new place
or environment. A person who experiences culture shock will feel difficult and
be exposed to mental pressure. This is considered reasonable, because everyone
needs time or adaptation to a new environment and atmosphere.
Culture shock is a common thing encountered by those who live for a long time
in a new place, students for example. This is common when a person sets foot in
a new, unfamiliar place for the first time.
Ladies and gentlemen
The European Higher Education Fair writes that there are 4 forms of culture
shock:
1. The honeymoon phase
This stage is a stage that almost always occurs when you first arrive at the
location. Initially we will feel happy when we arrive in a new country,
especially one we have never visited before.
2. The crisis or negotiation phase
This phase is the phase where we will start to feel uncomfortable with the
surrounding environment. Gradually we begin to feel homesick and unsuitable,
for example the food, the accent that is difficult to understand, or the language
that makes us feel isolated and lonely.
3. The adjustment phase
Here we have started to interact well with the environment in a new country.
This phase usually begins after 5-6 months. Everything will start to feel more
“normal” because you can adjust to the local culture.
4. Bi-cultural or mastery phase
At this stage we have felt very comfortable with life. This is very good because
it means we have been able to adapt to a completely new environment.
Ladies and gentlemen
There are several ways to overcome culture shock
1. Find New Friends
The most important way to deal with culture shock is to make new friends. With
new friends, we can share problems or difficulties faced.
2. Talk More
Do not keep to yourself the problems you face when you are in a new
environment. Talk to people you just met.
3. Engage with Nearby Activities
An effective way to deal with culture shock is to be actively involved in various
activities in a new environment. Being involved in events or activities held in a
new environment can make the adaptation process run quickly.
4. Look for Positive Distractions
Culture shock is a normal process. Don’t keep fighting if you’re still confused.
For that, look for a distraction so that the mind can stay fresh. Listening to
music, watching movies, sports, to cooking can be options for distraction.
5. Open Mind or Open Minded
Culture shock sometimes results from the feeling that the new environment has
a lot of faults and quirks. Remove these feelings by being more open minded or
opening your mind more broadly
Thats all my speech, thank you for attention.
Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.