Culture Shock in Former Soviet States
Preparing and Coping with Living in a New Culture

1. What is Culture Shock?
2. What are the Stages of Culture Shock?
3. Why Might I Experience Culture Shock in Russia, Ukraine, or Kyrgyzstan?
4. What Can I Do about My Culture Shock?

1. What is Culture Shock?

Culture shock is normal. It's a reaction to being placed in a new environment. The more foreign the environment, the stronger the culture shock typically is.

As Russia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan are very foreign environments for most people from English-speaking countries, your overall stress level is naturally going to be a little higher due to the fact your regular support group, and usual way of life, are suddenly different. You will likely find that lots of little things you used to take for granted, such as doing laundry or being able to run to the store for something like a new towel, are more difficult. You don't know the city or your environment and often asking people for help is harder because of the language barrier. When something goes wrong the people you would usually call to vent about it are suddenly much further away (and, as you'll find out, calling home from abroad is also a process that most are unfamiliar with).

Because your stress level is higher, your emotions will likely be intensified. Your anger will be angrier and your happiness will be happier. You might find that you get angry, stressed, or annoyed much more quickly than you would otherwise. It's okay! As you learn about your new environment and make new routines, life gets easier.

This brief guide will help you to understand what to expect. You should also know that SRAS's extensive guide to Russia and city guides are designed to help you overcome many difficulties. Also, as an SRAS student, you should always feel free to contact us via the telephone numbers or emails provided in the orientation guide we will send you as part of your pre-program orientation.

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2. What are the Stages of Culture Shock?

Culture shock is usually conceptualized as having three phases. The stages are not always progressive – you might skip back and forth between the first two before reaching the third. The three stages include:

1. Honeymoon Phase. You may experience feelings of euphoria and excitement, making delightful discoveries about your new environment, such as with foods, music, and customs. Everything about your host culture might seem wonderful to you.
2. Negotiation Phase. Some of the differences you've noticed between your native and host culture become more apparent and may start to annoy you, perhaps even intensely. You may begin missing the way things are at home, or crave certain foods that are hard to find in Russia (many of the same foods are difficult to find in Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan). You may experience mood swings and/or feel melancholy. You may even start to hate the host culture.
3. Adjustment Phase. You begin to see the balance between the good and bad things you see in your host culture in comparison with your native one. You develop new routines and a new support network. Your way of life may be drastically different than how it is in your home culture, but you've now adapted to this one and are feeling more like yourself again. Sometimes this stage can take months to reach – but it is generally good for you as a person and you will emerge stronger and more creative than before.  Hang in there.

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3. Why Might I Experience Culture Shock in Russia, Ukraine, or Kyrgyzstan?

Based on the experience of our students, some of the following may cause you some of the strongest culture shock:

1. Language Environment. You may suddenly feel like a small child who is incapable of making others understand what you want, and – worse yet – you may feel others are treating you as a child. People will have conversations and address you with words you may not be able to comprehend. Even if you are an intermediate or advanced speaker it will take you some time to get used to the new language environment, the rich vocabulary and the modern speech rate. Even if you have been to your host country before, be prepared to experience some anxiety and stress while you readjust to all forms of communication being in a foreign language.
2. Different Norms. You may find you have difficulty relaxing at first when you are out in public, since you may not know how to react in certain situations. Is it appropriate to smile and thank the cashier? Is it normal that I've just been pushed over by a woman who's trying to get out of the metro car? Why did the store clerk get annoyed with me when I tried to hand her the money rather than place it on the tray? Don't worry – this phase passes fairly quickly, and you will learn by experience. Our best advice is to overcome the temptation to avoid interacting with people and accept the experiences as just another part of your education abroad.
3. Social Isolation. You may suddenly feel disconnected from everyone you know, and left out of the events going on at home. Most of us are used to checking email and social-networking pages several times a day, while this is often not possible in Russia, Ukraine, or Kyrgyzstan. While you may not be concerned about this before you arrive in your host country, be prepared for the stress this can cause once on the ground. You may also have difficulty making  friends from the host culture. This does not mean you are a failure at making friends or that people here don't like you – it is usually related to the language barrier or that people in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg often live very busy lives. This doesn't mean you shouldn't try to be social – you certainly should, but it's best to keep expectations for relationships realistic.
4. Lower Standard of Living. You may be surprised by the condition of your dorm or home stay apartment. Most buildings where people live in Russia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan are old and most rooms are smaller. Don't be surprised if you feel like you've gone back in time 50 or so years - it may well have been that long since the last redecoration or remodeling took place. The furniture might be old and fragile. You will need to physically light the stove and oven. The toilet might look like a porta-potty and may not have a seat. If you are going to live in a dorm, don't be surprised if you have one or more roommates to share a small space. Most people adjust to these things within the first few days – it's just best to be prepared ahead of time.
5. Apparent Rudeness/Coldness. People do not typically smile in greeting, nor do you often see people walking down the street with a big grin. In Slavic culture, the smile is used most often as a reaction to something funny or pleasant or an earned sign of friendship. Smiling for the sake of smiling can be considered a sign of insincerity or even of mental imbalance. In Russia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan you will find that the customer is not always right. People in service industries (waiters and waitresses, post-office clerks, store and vending clerks, etc) may treat you in what you perceive (and what may in fact be) a rude manner, as though you are imposition to them rather than the ultimate source of their paycheck.
6. Behavioral Norms. Russian, Ukrainian, and Kyrgyz cultures  are much more straightforward and in most cases a bit more aggressive than what you may be used to – verbally and physically. You may be somewhat shocked by bluntness that in American culture would be considered rudeness. You may be asked about your financial means. You may have your political and religious beliefs questioned outright. You may hear overarching statements about your own culture in general – some of our students have heard such things as "Americans are like children" and "Americans have no sense of real history." Try not to get offended – generally such statements are meant to be conversation starters and the more openly and confidently you answer, the more you will begin to form relationships with those from your host culture. 
                       
   Do not be surprised if people you don't know well feel they have the right to tell you what to do, particularly older individuals. Your host mother may claim you must wear a hat – and she may force it upon your head if you resist. A stranger on the street may tell you not to sit in that spot because it is "dirty" or because you will lose your fertility or for some other reason. These people believe that they are being helpful and we encourage you to take these things in stride.
                          
   People in Russia and Kyrgyzstan, especially in larger, crowded cities can also be more physically aggressive. For instance, it is not uncommon to push strangers out of the way or to sit or stand so close that you are touching a stranger in public transportation (and sometimes impossible not to do so at rush hour).
7. Soviet Images and Symbols. Symbols of Communism are everywhere in Russia and most Russians seem to see little wrong this and no need to change it. Since many foreigners associate Soviet Communism with government repression and the atrocities committed by Stalin, it may at first be surprising to you that all the hammers and sickles weren't taken down long ago. For Russians, however, these symbols are part of their culture and history (see point six about "real history") and they don't intend to forget it happened. Many will also argue that there are vastly better uses for the extensive budget that would be required to remove and replace all the symbols with something else. 
8. Clothes and the Body. You might notice that the majority in Russia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan tend to dress up as opposed to down. Guys commonly wear suits, sweaters, tucked in shirts and dress shoes – including university students going to class. It would be insulting for someone to show up in sweat pants and a t-shirt. Women are often in skirts and heels from the time they're in their early teens if not before. People here really care about their appearance, particularly younger individuals. It's also much rarer to be overweight here in comparison to the US and other Western cultures (portions in Russian and Ukrainian diets tend to be small, even if high in fat). This may suddenly make you feel self-conscious if you are not model-thin like the seeming majority of young  men and women in these cultures. Tattoos and piercings are less prevalent than in the US. You may get stared at if you have visible body art.

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4. What Can I Do About My Culture Shock? 

Just knowing that you may experience some stress, and being aware that your feelings may be intensified, and that you will be in awkward, unfamiliar situations on a fairly regular basis will help you a lot in adapting to the new culture. Personal growth and challenge is a big reason many people choose to study abroad. You will emerge from this experience a stronger, more experienced and creative person, and you should be proud of yourself for choosing to put yourself through it!

The following are some ways of coping with culture shock that our students have found helpful:

1. Talking to other students on the program – they are going through the same experiences! 
2. Occasionally engaging in an activity you find comforting – playing solitaire, watching a silly movie, listening to music, etc.
3. Exercise – go for a run in the park or take a slow stroll through the city. Also make sure that you come prepared to take care of your health in general. Healthy people are generally happier and more confident than unhealthy people.
4. Keeping a blog or a journal.
5. Making lists and setting goals. Things can seem incredibly overwhelming – but if you keep a log of things to do, things to ask (your teacher, your friends, your SRAS consultant) and goals to accomplish (learn five new verbs, find a new belt, etc.) it gives structure and order to the day and helps you prioritize what you really need to do.
6. Celebrate your small successes. You should feel proud of yourself when you meet your goals, however seemingly small.

If you are really struggling, let us know and we can make some other suggestions!

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