Dr. Sarangthem Santinath Singh
Assistant Professor, Rajdhani College,
University of Delhi

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Cultural Shock is a term used to describe the feelings that people have when they move to an unfamiliar culture. The more different the new culture is from their own, the greater the shock. Newcomers have left behind family members, friends, teachers and environment. They have lost their language and culture and often they do not have the support of their parents directly. Every people react differently when they move to a new place. The difference between the new and the native culture becomes apparent. There is a lot that they do not understand about the new surroundings. There is communication gap. All these lead that they may feel sleepy, irritable, disinterest, etc.

It is the aspiration for everyone to get quality education from a reputed institution and to be a part of any competition then we have to move from villages/small towns to cities and specific places where the institution is located.  There are two important issues that we must address at right time.

We all know that the life style and living standard is quite different between a small town and a city. City life is very fast than the village/small town life. When the newcomers see and experience many things that can strike their mind. These are fashion and way of expression but it may be very forceful for those who are not familiar to this system. At the time of interaction, some people may ask irrelevant question(s) like, are you from Nepal; you eat this and that, you dress like these etc. At initial days, there may be language problem and lack of mental confidence that everybody will try to cheat you may be at the institute, your landlord, rickshaw pullers, autos drivers, in the markets, etc.

There is definitely changing from one academic system to another with new mates from different places and backgrounds. At the beginning of the session, you have to find accommodation, travelling to the institution; running kitchen and preparation of food etc. are very new for most of the students. Finding the suitable textbook is also difficult not only the money. Because of all these reasons and again the course is only for four months including examination in the semester system. Time passes without any proper study. There is very likely a tough time for the newcomers. This may affect their concentration and ultimately in the examination.

The responsibilities of the parents are very important that they should talk to their sons and daughters frequently. Parents should listen to them and try to convince the reality of life and the purpose of sending them to the new place. It would be better if one able to define him/her in practical sense then the same would follow the does and don’ts to his/her own terms but the question is how many of us ever thought about this.

The academic barriers are because of their language barriers, cultural differences and different expectations from the new teachers.  If the teachers understand the sensitivity of this shock and identify these students and treat accordingly then it would be benefits to these students. We should open our mind, no need to feel shy, interact to the system not to wait anybody ask you to join. It would be great help if the newcomers take the guidance of their seniors regarding finding accommodation, about appropriate books, idea about the new system that they can start with the system starts. In the end, your hard work and sincerity pays a lot that you can achieve your goal even though there may be many hurdles.

We are social being that we have to live in the society but it should not force you to follow something that is not your concern and keep in mind “hard work pays success.”