It is hard to imagine anything more exciting and challenging than going to live in a different place. You can enjoy new food, weather, and even relationships. However, these changes can be overwhelming at times, even if the move was planned and prepared for. Culture shock is the feeling of confusion or anxiety over a new environment.
According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 200 nationalities live in the UAE. In fact, the expatriate community is more than the number of UAE nationals.1 This makes culture shock a significant concern. Although this is not a psychological condition, big life changes such as a move, can leave a person feeling helpless, sad, and isolated. It is typical for a person to adjust to the new environment after some time. But quality of life can definitely be affected in the meantime.
Stages of Culture Shock
According to Sver Lysgaard, a Norwegian psychologist, culture shock happens in stages.2 In the first stage, the honeymoon period occurs. It is characterized by excitement and euphoria over the new experience. It is a period of fascination, where a person typically compares their new location favorably over their old one. This can last up to several months.3
In the next stage, frustration and anxiety can creep in. Known as the negotiation stage, the excitement fades and is replaced by the daily realities of living in a new place. A person starts to feel homesick and begins to idealize life back home. It is not unusual for physical discomforts to arise because of the culture shock. For example, a person can find it more difficult to sleep because of their thoughts on moving.
At around six months to a year, the adjustment period begins. Daily life becomes better and a more stable routine is established. Local customs, food, and even relationships become more familiar. It is not unusual for some people to become more comfortable with the language. This makes connecting with others feel more natural. While some frustrations can still arise, this increase in routine and familiarity makes coping easier.
The final stage is the acceptance phase. By now, a person has fully adapted to their new situation and can navigate experiences more comfortably. They already feel a sense of belonging. While it is not always possible to feel fully integrated, these cultural differences no longer feel intimidating or threatening.
Significance of Culture Shock to Mental Health
Does the feeling of culture shock have a significant impact on a person’s mental health? The short answer to this is yes. People are complex creatures with a whirlwind of emotions running through them at any given time. This is completely normal and expected. People tend to cope with them through a variety of ways. For example, they talk to a friend. They find safety at home. They go through their routines.
Removing these familiar situations can also remove a sense of security and safety. When a person moves to a new location, culture shock does not simply refer to the new cuisines or traditions. It is also a disruption to a person’s sense of familiarity. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and isolation.4
More so, there are expected struggles such as language and social norms. Values are also largely cultural.5 All these can erode a person’s self-confidence and even their sense of identity.6 When this feeling of disorientation becomes persistent and goes unchecked, mental health can suffer. Those who do not have a strong support system can experience chronic stress and even depression.
Having said that, culture shock does not always lead to negative emotions. If a person adjusts well, then it can lead to personal growth and increased resilience. A person who goes through a big life change and succeeds becomes more confident and emotionally stronger.
Coping with the Shock of Moving Abroad
Manage Expectations
Before moving to a new location, prepare yourself mentally for the changes that you will experience. According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, “Do not underestimate the challenge.” Expect that not everything will be easy. In fact, prepare for the worst-case scenarios. What happens when work becomes too heavy? What will you do if you find yourself homesick right away? Preparation and knowing what to expect can give a person a sense of control.
Acknowledge your Feelings
Once the shock manifests, it is important to acknowledge the feelings you experience. Frustration, anxiety, and fear — all of these are normal emotions you experience when adjusting to a new place. By validating your feelings rather than minimizing them, you can begin to process your emotions. This is a big part of healthy emotional regulation.
Start Building a Support System
Be proactive when it comes to finding a support system in your new location. For people who move because of work, human resources can provide avenues to help gain footing in the new workplace. Outside of work, start joining community-based organizations to make new friends. In Dubai, the expat community is quite robust, so there are a number of groups that specifically cater to people who are not originally from the area. Additionally, ensure to maintain connections back home. Schedule calls or regularly communicate through email or text with established relationships.7
Seek Professional Help
If the feelings associated with culture shock are persistent or if they intensify, then consider finding support through a mental health professional. Therapists can provide ways to cope to make the adjustment period go more smoothly by providing an objective viewpoint while providing emotional support.
Again, while culture shock is not an illness or condition, it can affect a person’s mental health. The goal is to adjust well, so that quality of life is not affected. A therapist can assist with this objective, especially if the person is having a tough time coping.
Conclusion: Coping with Culture Shock in Dubai
Dubai can provide wonderful opportunities for people. It has a rich culture of its own, which is a blend of its own traditions and global influences. However, it can also be quite different for those who just moved there. Just like in any new place, people may find some of its customs to be quite different from what they are used to. For example, Dubai is largely a conservative culture. There are expectations when it comes to public behavior and professional manners.
Keeping an open mind and staying informed can help a person avoid misunderstandings and help build connections with the new locality. After all, culture shock is only temporary. On the other hand, seeing these new cultural experiences as opportunities for growth can turn the initial discomfort into a meaningful cross-cultural experience.
Sources Cited:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. (n.d.). Facts and figures. United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/the-uae/facts-and-figures ↩︎
- Alamri, B. (2018). The role of social media in intercultural adaptation: A review of the literature. English Language Teaching, 11(12), 77. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v11n12p77 ↩︎
- Furnham, A. (2019). Culture shock: A review of the literature for practitioners. Psychology, 10(13), 1832. ↩︎
- Demes KA, Geeraert N. The highs and lows of a cultural transition: a longitudinal analysis of sojourner stress and adaptation across 50 countries. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2015 Aug;109(2):316-337. doi: 10.1037/pspp0000046. PMID: 26191963; PMCID: PMC4507515. ↩︎
- Stewart L, Leggat PA. Culture shock and travelers. J Travel Med. 1998 Jun;5(2):84-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.1998.tb00469.x. PMID: 9772322. ↩︎
- Buzoianu, A., Popescu, C. A., Bob, M. H., & Suciu, S. M. (2015). Culture shock, social support and mental health problems in foreign medical students in Romania. European Psychiatry, 30(Suppl. 1), 1940. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-9338(15)31481-4 ↩︎
- Tajfel, H., Billig, M. G., Bundy, R. P., & Flament, C. (1971). Social categorization and intergroup behaviour. European journal of social psychology, 1(2), 149-178. ↩︎