Mastering Culture Shock: The Ultimate Guide for Thriving Abroad

What is Culture Shock?

Culture shock is a common reaction to the disorienting and frustrating experience of adapting to a new culture. It can happen when you travel abroad, move to a new city or country, or even start a new job or university. And yes, even summer camp! Suddenly being thrown into a new environment with different routines, social norms, and ways of life can lead you to feelings of isolation, homesickness, anxiety, and even frustration.

It's important to remember that culture shock is a normal part of the adjustment process, and with time and effort, you can overcome it and thrive in your new environment.

Four Stages of Culture Shock

Let's explore the four stages you might encounter as you navigate this exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, transition of moving abroad and working at summer camp.

• Honeymoon Stage: You’re fresh in Canada ready for your new adventure. You arrive at camp. It feels magical! Everything is new and exciting and you're eager to get stuck into staff orientation.

• Frustration Stage: Campers arrive, and the realities of daily life set in. Unfamiliar routines, like early wake-up calls and packed schedules, can be a shock. Sharing cabins with limited personal space might feel overwhelming. The camp food may not be what you're used to, with unfamiliar textures or tastes. Cultural differences in humour or communication can cause confusion and even anxiety. On top of it all, homesickness might creep in, making you miss the comforts of home.

• Adjustment Stage: With perseverance and resilience, you enter the adjustment phase. You start to develop coping mechanisms. Slowly, camp starts to feel like a second home. You connect with your campers and fellow counsellors, and the camp traditions begin to feel familiar. You find humour in the cultural differences and learn to appreciate the unique way things are done at camp.

• Acceptance Stage: You've got this! You understand the camp culture, can explain capture the flag with ease, and you know all the words to your favourite camp song. You're an integral part of the summer fun, sharing your own culture with campers in return.

5 Ways to Cope With Culture Shock

Here are five ways you can use to help you cope with culture shock at summer camp:

Celebrate Your Culture with others

Sharing your culture is a great way to connect and learn from others. Teach your fellow camp counsellors and campers some fun and useful phrases in your language, or introduce them to cool slang. You might even inspire them to share their own cultures with you.

Keep an Open Mind

Be adventurous and try new Canadian foods! Participate in camp traditions and embrace different perspectives. You might discover something you love that you never expected.

Embrace the Learning Curve

Camp has its own unique culture and traditions. Don't get discouraged if things seem strange at first! Embrace the learning curve. Ask questions, be curious, and enjoy the process of learning new things.

Document your journey

Writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal can be a great way to process what you're experiencing. Journalling allows you to reflect on what you're going through, both the good and the challenging. Looking back on your entries can be a great motivator. Seeing how far you've come can be a huge boost of confidence and fuel your determination to keep going.

Try something new every day

Stepping outside your comfort zone is a great way to overcome culture shock. Push yourself to participate in new camp activities or chat with new people, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. You might make some amazing new friends and memories along the way. Or even gain a new hobby!

If you’re reading this before moving abroad to summer camp, we would recommend learning as much as you can about Canadian and camp culture beforehand to help prepare you in advance. Our friendly staff are always here to help you as they have experience working at summer camp first-hand. They’re more than happy to help answer your questions about traditions, activities, and what to expect. The more you know, the smoother your transition to camp will be.

Working at a summer camp may bring culture shock, but it's a temporary hurdle on the path to an incredible adventure. It's a normal part of the experience, and remember, you're not alone. Embrace the challenges and soak up the camp environment. With an open mind and a willingness to try new things, you'll soon find yourself thriving in your new summer home. At Camp Canada, your well-being is our priority. Our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way, from the moment you arrive until you head home. So if you do experience culture shock, we've got your back!