(This was the original unedited piece)
By: Siti Khamizah Kholil with the help of Naeema Barkhad
When moving to a new place, you cannot help but feel excited to discover the unfamiliar; but once this phase wears off, everything begins to lose its charm. Eventually, you feel that it is all wrong.
This is culture shock.
Culture shock refers to the feeling you have of anxiety and confusion when you are in a new environment where the cultural norms you are used to no longer apply. It is when there are different perceptions as to what is deemed appropriate and what is not.
It is important to know that culture shock is very common, especially in IIUM where it is a melting pot of cultures. In the mosque, you can easily notice the different ways of praying reflecting the diversity among Muslims.
We have International students who face culture shock with the Malaysian culture, and vice-versa. Even local students from rural areas get their share of shock moving to the city and some have never seen such tall foreign students!
Everything may seem well at the start. Many International students who come to Malaysia first notice the lush greenery. After some time when this ‘honeymoon’ stage is over, comes the withdrawal. This is when the heat and humidity start to kick in.
There are two ways you can handle the situation. You can either embrace it, or for most people, react negatively to this new culture.
You find the ‘new’ social norms unusual and begin to dislike everything about it. You become overwhelmed with the adjustments needed to be made. This often leads to a lot of ill-feelings.
It is understandable for one to feel frustrated with not really knowing what is going on around them, but it is important to not let this pessimism consume us. We always start assuming that something is wrong with the new culture, not us.
What you may find weird in one culture is normal in another. Just like how Malaysian Muslimahs use the telekung or the white prayer-wear while in other cultures, this may be seen as strange.
The unfamiliar is often labelled as wrong, immoral or impolite. This exaggerated cultural pride of thinking that only your culture is right will never do you any good.
Culture shock is not a bad thing, but that does not mean it is easy to deal with either. Just like in Malaysia where some Internationals have trouble finding light meals since the Malaysian breakfast itself is rather heavy considering there is nasi lemak on the menu.
There are also others who cannot consume the local food as it is far too spicy than their stomach can handle yet others grow accustomed to the sweet and sour flavours. You really will not know until you try.
Find the reasonableness of the new culture to reduce your lack of understanding. Every culture has its own unique values; you might even start appreciating your host culture. Same goes to Malaysians who are exposed to an abundance of diversity on campus.
Most Malaysians find that the Internationals are more outspoken and open to critical issues in class. This clashes with the Malaysian culture which puts emphasis on having a level of reverence for the lecturer. It may seem rude to some, but if you look at it differently, you cannot help but admire their boldness. Those who are reserved can definitely learn a thing or two!
It is interesting how many locals complain how the Internationals stick to themselves, while the Internationals feel the exact same about Malaysians. This is what stops us all from integrating. Perhaps if both sides changed this belief, one would actually start communicating and bridging that gap.
When you are deprived of the familiar, get used to the unfamiliar. Try to learn the language, taste the new flavours and make life-long friends. You will find it to be an enriching and educational experience as you discover new ways of thinking and living.
Just because no one explained the rules to you does not mean you should shut yourself from the world. When that homesick feeling creeps in, that is the cue to start looking at the situation in a different light.
Set your mind to think of this as an opportunity, an adventure! Many Internationals who came from strict countries have found a new sense of freedom here in Malaysia. This gives them the chance to try new things.
You might even prefer certain cultural traits and adopt certain behaviours. We can see this from the level of hijab style which the Muslimahs have embraced from each other or how some Internationals have begun to wear the baju melayu and baju kurung. This helps you to grow as a person, making you a more global citizen.
Culture shock is how one reacts to difference. Be open to these differences by exploring new things. Do not be judgmental or allow your inner ethnocentricity to take over you.
No culture is superior to another. It is only a matter of time until you learn to adjust to your new environment. By seizing this opportunity, you will soon find yourself experiencing the best of both worlds!
