Experts writing on culture shock have identified four distinct phases through which anyone going to live abroad passes – the length of each phase varies with the individual, but, in general, each phase lasts longer than the preceding one. The four phases seem to be:

Fascination: an initial period of time when everything is new and there are seemingly few problems since everyone is being extremely accommodating. The predominant feeling during this period is one of exhilaration at being at last overseas after a long period of anticipation.

Friendship: immediately following the initial euphoria comes the stage in which the need to structure a new social support system to replace the one left behind becomes paramount. At this time there is an understandable, but potentially dangerous, tendency to gravitate exclusively to the company of one’s fellow countrymen for friendship and to take refuge in the familiar - a situation which can easily solidify into the, “we-they” syndrome in the third stage.

Frustration: After enough time has elapsed to become familiar with the country, to make initial contacts with the people and to come to grips with the requirements of the new job, a stage of depression begins. The local people seem to become intransigent, the physical environment unpleasant, and the demands of the job impossible to fulfill. The result is that hostility towards the host country and those who are in authority in it becomes the predominant emotion, and the homesickness is the by-product. Sometimes this frustration gets so high that the whole experience is seen as a mistake.

Fulfillment: Fortunately, although the previous stage can be a very difficult one to live through, it does usually come to an end as the cultural comfort level increases and then leads into a period in which the experience of teaching overseas becomes both fulfilling and rewarding. The onset of this phase stems from a personal realization and acceptance that the new environment in all its aspects, is unlikely to change and so that, if the experience is to be satisfying, it is the individual who must adapt to the new environment by learning to operate within its confines. This may indeed result in compromises, often many of them, but it will also result in a realization that conflicts can be worked out and that the potential for success and happiness during the time to be spent abroad is as great as the individual prepared to let it be.