Culture Shock

Since arriving in Costa Rica, I've been experiencing culture shock.  It's definitely an interesting set of emotions...there are even stages like grieving! It's different for everyone. 

Wikipedia defines it like this: Culture shock is the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, or to a move between social environments also a simple travel to another type of life.

"Symptoms" include (starred ones are ones I experienced):

Excessive concern over cleanliness and health

Feelings of helplessness and withdrawal*

Irritability*

Anger*

Glazed stare

Desire for home and old friends*

Physiological stress reactions*

Homesickness*

Boredom

Withdrawal*

Getting "stuck" on one thing

Suicidal or fatalistic thoughts

Excessive sleep

Insomnia*

Compulsive eating/drinking/weight gain

Stereotyping host nationals*

Hostility towards host nationals.

Like any move, it just takes time. I'm already 100% better from two weeks ago, and every day I'm here, the more I adjust. It will be interesting to see if I have reverse culture shock when I go home for Christmas!