In the years I have been a psychologist, I have worked with various corporations as a consultant. I have also conducted assessments of individuals and their families selected for a leadership role as the representative of their company in a foreign country. My responsibility is to assess the employee and the employee’s family to determine their suitability for the assignment and to find out if there are risks in terms of adjustment while they are in the host country.
Often the perspective employees and their families are so euphoric about getting the assignment that they forget the fact that life in the host country will probably be very different, and that they may experience hardship. Generally, during the interview and assessment they begin to face the reality of their assignment and its commitment. At this point, on occasion, the employee and their family change their mind about the assignment and decline the offer. Families, generally, go through cross cultural training for almost a week in order to get ready for departure. Once they arrive at the host country, the stages of culture shock begin. Most families go through the normal process of adjustment for a few months, and some families may return soon due to difficulty adjusting in the host country.
Ironically, for most families the real difficulties begin when, after a few years of assignment in a foreign country, they have to return home. Because of their enjoyment of their new lifestyle in the host country–which many times is more upscale than the one they left–and the social relationships developed in the host country, a majority of those on assignment express a desire to stay in the host country, but the fact is they have to return.
My observation has been that families have a tough time adjusting to the home country after returning. Many find themselves depressed and their children as well. Their short-term experience in another country with its different lifestyle has altered their values and beliefs. Upon return, they discover the home country is not the same as the one they lived in before, and they feel alienated from their extended families, friends and culture.
why is the issue with just “westernized” people. Ever gone to lalukhet..err I mean liquatabad and everyone is a bollywood hero, or a villain. forget about going to ranchorr lines or bhains colony..and then you can even venture out to the rural areas and experience a whole diff shock.
Fine people have an issue with these supposedly westernized people, but its funny how we never talk about other groups.
They could present an interesting cultural shock too.
I took a class in International Marketing last semester in my MBA program and we spent a good 2 or 3 weeks studying this topic, namely, Culture Shock. What I learned is the following which I’d like to share with you:
It is interesting that people talk about culture shock as being associated only on a country-to-country basis. You can experience culture shock right within your own neighborhood even, in the way people think, their habits, attitudes, etc. It’s all based on perception, nothing more. To overcome this culture shock, it is important to be open to listening to and understanding other points of view which can be an enlightening experience in and of itself. It’s also important to keep in mind that you may not agree with these different viewpoints or “cultures” but it’s essential to be receptive to noting these perspectives that are foreign to our own “safe” realms of thinking.
Mr. Fraudiay u seem like a typical Karachiite. Uknow every nook and corner of our dear city. :D Ever heard of machar colony? I think a place by that name exists.
Tu bhi waras kisay naal layaan seen
Pani uttay tasweeran toon banayaan seen
Rora wajya tay nazar na aayaan
Lagyaan day dukh wakhray......
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*Originally posted by lost soul: *
Mr. Fraudiay u seem like a typical Karachiite. Uknow every nook and corner of our dear city. :D Ever heard of machar colony? I think a place by that name exists.
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I spent 2 years in Karachi aside from vacations but I have seen every part of the city, from places like bath island to macchar colony and even bhains and geeder colonies.
btw if you ever get the chance go eat fish at the little restaurant in the worker basti behinf dalmiya cement factory on rashid minhaas road :) dunno if its still there but that place rocked.
