Studying abroad is both an exciting and challenging time! You will be embarking on an adventure and navigating a new culture, country, and academic system. Understanding the common phases of cultural transitions is important as it will allow you to recognize that what you are feeling is entirely normal and a part of the cultural learning process.

Phases of Cultural Transitions

According to Paige Butler’s Cultural Transitions Model, there are six phases of cultural adjustment. See below for definitions of each phase as well as common responses during each phase.

While these are commonly experienced phases, not all individuals will experience all of them; individual responses to each phase will differ as well. Furthermore, each phase may elicit emotional responses that can be perceived as positive, negative, neutral, or somewhere in between.

For more detail about the Cultural Transitions Model, please reference:

Butler, Paige E. (2019). The cultural transitions model: Moving beyond culture shock to enhance student learning abroad. Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 30(4), 67-93. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1247599

An early phase in which you become aware of new, exciting, visible surface-level and striking differences as you transition to a new culture. While this may be initially energizing, it can also lead to overstimulation and fatigue.

General Responses: Excitement, newness, superficial judgement, overstimulated, overwhelmed

An early and ongoing transitional phase focused upon seeking out understanding of a new cultural context. This could include seeking out visible cultural elements (e.g. visiting landmarks) and works toward deeper examination of a culture (e.g. food, history, etc.) including more invisible aspects of culture.

General Responses: From superficial to deeper encounters with culture (food, people, history, language, etc.), a wide range of emotions may occur.

This is a trial and error phase in which you may make conscious decisions that help you to navigate daily life and build relationships in the host culture.

General Responses: Experience of trial & error, daily living, recalibrating expectations and energy

This phase can occur in response to encountering difficulty in daily living can lead to frustration or annoyance.

General Responses: Frustration/annoyance, extended overstimulation,withdrawal/stress response behaviors, and breakthroughs in learning

Cultural fatigue often happens when you have to continuously process the new culture. Individuals may feel disconnected from home culture and/or their own cultural identity.

General Responses: Perfectionism or defeatist attitudes, decline in engagement, increased irritability, homesickness, physical fatigue, psychological fatigue that impacts decision-making, reasoning and language expression.

This phase may manifest in response to observable behaviors in the host culture perceived as ‘different’ from one’s home culture, particularly those that may irritate or annoy an individual (e.g. street harassment, staring, etc.).

General Responses: From minor to critical incidents, confronting values, heightened emotional responses, feeling critical of home or host country, critical of self or others

Common Reactions to Cultural Adjustment

Exhaustion, fatigue or changes to your appetite.
Major concern over small health problems.
Increased use of alcohol or drugs.
Craving things from home (food, amenities, etc.) and homesickness.
Strong desire to interact only with students on your program or non-locals.
Fits of anger and frustration or depression alternating with elation.
Superior attitude toward host nationals. You find yourself complaining about and criticizing everything.
Feelings of rejection, isolation, and loneliness.

Tips for Cultural Adjustment

Take care of yourself physically
Give yourself permission to feel bad
Don't make any big life changes while abroad
Be open-minded and curious
Use your observation skills
Recognize that culture is relative
Find cultural allies and ask questions
Give yourself (and others) permission to make mistakes
Be patient – don't expect yourself to understand everything immediately
Try to establish new friendships

While Abroad

While Abroad Resources

Cultural Adjustment

Self-Care & Mental Wellness Abroad

Documenting Your Experience

Emergency Communication

Cultural Adjustment

Phases of Cultural Transitions

Common Reactions to Cultural Adjustment

Tips for Cultural Adjustment

Education Abroad