Task 2: Culture Shock
(D=Doctor; S=Student)
D: Hello, I’m Dr. Black. How’re you feeling?
S: I’m not feeling well, doctor.
D: What seems to be the problem?
S: I don’t know. I just feel tired all the time. I want to sleep all day. I’m not interested in studying or being with people.
D: How long had this been going on?
S: Almost one month now.
D: Are there any other symptoms?
S: I’m just tired.
D: Do you have many friends?
S: I don’t really have many here. I’m an international student.
D: I imagine that many things about your life here are different from your home.
S: Yeah, my life’s changed a lot. Foods, customs, socializing…even body language and gestures are all different from those in my own country.
D: How long have you lived here?
S: Almost three months now. It seems much linger; it’s a struggle for me to get used to the new way of life here.
D: Hmm. Well, let’s check you over. (a few minutes later) Well, I don’t see anything physically wrong with you. Your heart is strong. Lungs are clear. Your blood pressure is normal.
S: Then what do you think is wrong with me, doctor?
D: Your problem seems to be culture shock. Sometimes when people move to a new location, especially a new country, they experience culture shock. Sometimes this culture shock can be serious, and people become very depressed. I suggest that you try to spend some time each week with people from your own culture.
S: But my teachers tell me to speak English all the time.
D: I understand, but right now we need to deal with your symptoms. Follow my advice, and you’ll feel better.
S: How long does this last?
D: Culture shock lasts for a while and then begins to disappear. The length of time varies from person to person. If you aren’t feeling better in two or three weeks, please call me again.
1. The student feels tired all the time, wants to sleep all day, and is not interested in studying or being with people.
2. Many things in the student’s life have changed, such as foods, customs, socializing, and even body language and gestures.
3. Because the student’s heart, and blood pressure are all normal.
4. Sometimes when people move to a new location, especially a new country, they experience culture shock.
5. The doctor suggests that the student try to spend some time each week with people from her own culture.
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