Personal Reflection
When I first arrived to Oman I was seven and I was barely aware of my situation and so I had absolutely no clue about the culture shock that I would go through. Only after doing this project did I actually realize that these symptoms and experiences of culture shock was a lot like what I experienced when I moved to Oman. When I think of how I felt in this 'culture shock' phase I can only imagine how my older sister, who at that time was 14, must have felt. She had to leave her social life in Denmark, the International schooling was also much harder and more intense than the local Danish school she went to and it was a huge jump to take. My mother went from a full-time job to being a housewife. I recently helped a Danish girl who came to my school and did not understand English or the culture here. I realized how important it is to help people who are experiencing culture shock and for them to know they can talk to someone who understands what they are going through. I believe you shouldn't be scared of culture shock, because in the end it can be quite wonderful (according to me and many of my friends in international environments).
From this project I have realized how lucky I was to have this culture shock when I was little and that it happened in Oman. Because I was little and I didn't have anything important to do I could take my time to adjust from the culture shock. The social part was easy for me because as little kids it is easy to communicate with each other no matter what language you speak. Oman is a very calm and friendly country compared to other Arab countries like Saudi. I learned that the emotional phases I have when I go back to Denmark in summer and winter vacations are most probably the result of 'reverse culture shock' and I am glad I finally understand the reason. Returning to Denmark was confusing and exhausting because I had changed and grown so and many of my old friends and relatives did not understand this. I was so used to the Oman environment I had to take time to adjust to the Danish environment again, simple things like drinking out of the tap and putting on lots of clothes when going outside.
From this project I have realized how lucky I was to have this culture shock when I was little and that it happened in Oman. Because I was little and I didn't have anything important to do I could take my time to adjust from the culture shock. The social part was easy for me because as little kids it is easy to communicate with each other no matter what language you speak. Oman is a very calm and friendly country compared to other Arab countries like Saudi. I learned that the emotional phases I have when I go back to Denmark in summer and winter vacations are most probably the result of 'reverse culture shock' and I am glad I finally understand the reason. Returning to Denmark was confusing and exhausting because I had changed and grown so and many of my old friends and relatives did not understand this. I was so used to the Oman environment I had to take time to adjust to the Danish environment again, simple things like drinking out of the tap and putting on lots of clothes when going outside.