e shock;h Dont let culture shock take you by surprise. Allow time to find our about it before you leave for your assignment. Learn to recognize the symptoms and their potential impact.h Expect culture shock to happen irrespective of location. It is as likely to occur in a country near your home base as in posting further afield.h As soon as you arrive in your new location, identify all the opportunities for building support networks with other international managers and local people.h As with any stressful situation, fight it, dont give in to it. So dont resort to escapist strategies such as drinking or eating too much and dont deny your symptoms.h Ask other international managers for guidance on the issues and problems to look out for. Learn from their experienceh Give yourself time to adapt and dont rush into too many work-related projects as the start of the assignment. Make sure that the organization gives you this time too.h Dont hesitate to seek professional help of symptoms persist despite your coping effort. Help may be available within your company or externally through counselors or the medical profession.h Expect the same symptoms to reoccur when you come home. Reverse culture shock is normal.h Think about the positive aspects of culture shock-people who experience it adapt better to their new environment than those who do not. Retain a sense of humor! (Marx, 18)....
