Category: Global Mobility

Although you can’t completely prevent culture shock after employee relocation, many believe you can cope with it and minimize it by doing some of the following things:

Research and Prepare

Researching thoroughly before entering a new culture might ease the transition process for your employees. To minimize culture shock, a person moving to a new culture should read up on the customs as much as possible. This is important because some cultures have different rules and a sense of humor. Additionally, you or your employee should try to learn a few simple phrases in the country’s official language – nothing too flashy, just a simple greeting and a few most common phrases. The company sometimes includes language learning and culture seminars in its relocation package. 

Finally, before moving, your employee should read about the city they’ll be moving to and try to memorize their commute, for example.

Organize a Visit

Another thing that can help minimize culture shock after employee relocation is organizing a visit to the destination country ahead of the actual move. If you or your employee are moving overseas for a new job, you shouldn’t just leap into it. The best way is to take it slow so you can know what to expect after you move. It would be best if you used an opportunity to experience the new surroundings and the culture first-hand. This first visit could be anywhere between three days and a month long. If your employee starts showing frustration and culture shock symptoms after a short time, they might not be the right fit.

Have a Support System

One of the best ways of coping with culture shock is to have a support system in place to help with your feelings of isolation and frustration. Similarly, you can help your employees by creating an environment that welcomes and accepts newcomers and creates a community for them. Moreover, you can help them stay in touch or even bring their family members to a new country. In some cases, even moving their pet with them is a great help when dealing with culture shock.

Find a Healthy Outlet

Every person should have a way of dealing with destructive emotions. However, not all those healthy outlets are available all the time. For example, a person who enjoys running as a way to deal with stress can’t do that in the freezing weather in their new country. Or, a person who enjoys long walks might not like it when it’s 100 degrees outside. If you’re moving to a new country, you should find a way to deal with your emotions healthily. Journaling is always a good example. It’s excellent for relieving stress and coping with feelings that may come from culture shock.

Meet New People

Whether it’s meeting and hanging out with coworkers or other local people, forming new connections is an excellent way of coping with the culture shock after employee relocation. At first, it could seem pretty scary, but if you get right in, you’ll meet various people who can help you adjust to the cultural differences. Maybe you’ll even make a friend or partner for life.

If you’re too scared to go out alone, that’s understandable. But know that you must make the first move and leave your apartment to get to know anyone. If you’re unsure about approaching people at a bar or restaurant, you can always join a social club or a sports team as a way to meet people.