Imagine yourself landing in a country where everything is totally different. It all begins at the airport. The food is not what you are used to (I miss chapatti and ugali). The English you grew up speaking (and writing) begins to sound weird. You get this sensory overload and everything looks like a sophisticated puzzle – from language, roads, faces and the smells. Welcome to America, James!
Everything and everyone appears to be in hurry. The sun sets at around 8pm! You spend an hour at the grocery store confused. Sometimes I would visit Walmart and come out of the store with nothing, two hours later.
This is the epitome of culture shock. We all confuse culture shock with the feeling of loneliness, homesickness but culture shock has more on its platter.
Hand shake hath has no value
First, greetings. Truth be told, an African can meet you at the lift, shake hands, meet you at the entrance of your office, shake hands again, meet you at the morning brief, shake hands, meet you at tea-break, shake hands, meet you at lunch break, shake hands, meet you at the 4 o’clock tea, shake hands and finally shake hands with you at the car park on your way home.
That is how much we value the handshake. However, it is totally different here, you only shake hands with someone on the first time you meet. Subsequent meetings are the ‘hi’ types where no hands are involved. You may think that the person is a snob; it is the American culture.
Secondly, the food. If you are the type of a guy who used to take ugali for supper, it is not common here, unless you prepare it yourself. What I grew up calling chapati is something different – go to the supermarket, buy tortillas or roti, throw it in the microwave for 30 seconds and it is ready for eating. Well, I remember how much time my mum used to spend preparing chapati. When I felt she was taking longer than usual, I would pretend to doze off, so she could give me those that are ready.
Thirdly, the studies. The last time I saw a multiple-choice examination was in primary school. I was shocked recently when I asked my peer mentor how the exams are prepared and they are all multiple choice questions. We are used to essay questions (4-6 questions, each carrying 20 marks) but that is different.
We are used to lectures in Kenya. Here you read before class and meet for discussion, unless the subject involves new information which calls for the lecturers.
Reading beforehand appears to be the central route to information discovery here and considering that this was new to me, I struggled in the early days.
Finally, the English. We are used to saying petrol station, car boot, football. These are gas station, car trunk and soccer, respectively. Football is interpreted as American Football (I wonder why it is called football yet it is played by hands!).
Born and brought up learning the British English (English English), you start adjusting to the American spelling. Notably, the elimination of letter ‘u’ in most of their writing such as humour, honour, and labour. This is just but a part of the culture shock.
Adjustment techniques
People have different ways of adjusting to culture shocks. Mine has been different too. I have put myself out there and made numerous friends especially in my cohort. I talk, consult and ask many questions (they have been awesomely patient with me). I have learnt through mistakes and talking to many people. I have also come up with a daily routine, for weekdays only. I take weekend offs to watch my favourite sport, soccer. I also attend mass on Sundays for spiritual nourishment.
Finally, I have remained positive. It is the best thing that you can do especially in a new culture. Talking to others opens up your mind and horizons to intercultural differences and with time you feel part of the new culture. However, in so doing, I have not forgotten where I come from and I am always in touch with my family. I have also upheld my cultural aspects.
James Ndone is communication instructor at Illinois State University in the United States on a Masters scholarship at the institution. He can be reached on phone +13095303287 or [email protected]
