“It can be culture shock in reverse” by Susan Fitzgerald

“Culture Shock” is a term we use to describe the confusing and nervous feelings a person may have after leaving his/her own culture to live in a new and different culture.

      When I moved to Ireland, I faced a lot of changes which were exciting and interesting, but also overwhelming. I had no choice but to adjust myself to a new culture, no matter how hard it may be. At first everything was surreal to me, because of their looks and behaviors. I realized the culture has huge influence on how you look, act, and communicate. Therefore it is normal for us to experience “culture shock” when we go to a new place.  

      “Culture shock” is considered to be a temporary thing but sometimes, I think I still go through mild culture shock.

     Since I was very young, I have learned to show RESPECT. That is the most important aspect in Korean Culture. We show respect to everyone-especially to those who are older than you or who hold higher authority over you. When I greet my professors or my parents, I should bow. Just saying ‘hello’ or waving your hand is not enough. It is considered to be rude. We even have formal and informal ways of speaking Korean and we must use formal language to them.

       I’m sure you can imagine how shocked I was when I came here and saw people calling each other in first name basis!

     To me, Americans and many others are very ‘friendly’ in their own ways and being ‘friendly’ must be perfectly normal- but it was unusual to me. I’m so used to saying good-byes by waving my hands- so some people misunderstand me and say I don’t hug or kiss them on the cheek BECAUSE I don’t like them.

*Please note* Koreans may not hug you or Kiss you on the cheek to say good-byes. BUT that doesn’t mean we don’t like you! We are just not used to that ;)