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How to Move Through Culture Shock After Moving to Costa Rica

by Jeanne in Costa Rica

Culture shock is common for people who relocate to new countries. How people are affected depends on their expectations and what they can accept.

Culture shock is confusion, bewilderment, and anxiety felt when people are outside their safety zone. Moving to Costa Rica, a new country with its smells, tastes, weather, language, and culture, can cause some people to feel disoriented.

The Four Cultural Differences

According to Expatica, there are four cultural differences to pay attention to:

1. Rules – How a culture approaches rules and regulations can be a shock. In Costa Rica, we joke that some rules, like stopping at stop signs, aren’t rules. They’re suggestions.

2. Time— How cultures sense time can be an area of annoyance. In Costa Rica, they have “Tico time.” Because people aren’t in a hurry. It’s part of the beautiful Pura Vida spirit.

3. Humor—A sense of humor changes wherever you go. For example, Costa Rica does not understand the American sense of humor, sarcasm, and self-deprecation.

4. Communication—The difference between lengthy conversations and enjoying the company you’re with here in Costa Rica differs significantly from the American way of quickly saying what we have to say and moving on.

The more you learn about these differences and embrace them as different from your own and virtuous, the better you can adapt to your new environment.

Culture Shock Happens in Stages

When moving to Costa Rica or anywhere abroad, you can anticipate some culture shock, and how you move through will dictate what happens next.

Stage 1— The “honeymoon phase” is when one is elated about all that is new around them. Everything takes on a feeling of romance. The landscape is better, the tastes and sounds are unique and different, the locals are friendly, etc.

Stage 2— The “negotiation phase” happens after the honeymoon phase. The feelings are akin to homesickness. Depression can occur during this time.

Stage two leads to different outcomes, according to Costa Rica information:

• One finds it impossible to integrate and rejects the host culture, becomes isolated, and usually flees it. This group is called the “Rejector” group.

• One completely takes on the host culture and integrates, usually living in it forever, losing their original culture. This group is called the “Adopter” group.

• One maintains their own culture and accepts completely the host culture creating a blend and balance of the two. These are usually the most adaptable people and can live almost anywhere. This group is known as the “Cosmopolitans.”

Stage 3 – If you can get through the first two phases, the “adjustment phase” means the new culture has become the norm because you no longer notice the difference from your home culture.

Strategies to Overcome Culture Shock

You can use several strategies to overcome culture shock and become peaceful and confident.

• Understand that life will be different. Knowledge is power, so you can prepare yourself for the changes coming.

• Try to understand and accept the changes.

• Know yourself, your limits, personality traits, and how you best cope with trying situations.

• Don’t be a victim. You are in your new country by choice.

• Don’t complain. No one wants to listen, and the local culture doesn’t want to hear it.

Our Ex-pat Experience

Moving to Costa Rica has been exciting and scary. The most challenging part of being here so far has been not speaking Spanish as well as we could. While many Costa Ricans speak English, meaning, humor, and easy coordination are missing when not fully ensconced in the language.

Other than the language barrier from time to time, we have moved well into the culture. We are Cosmopolitans to use the above distinction. We believe we are this way for several reasons:

• We practice a positive mindset, especially when it’s required for changing situations

• We have confidence in ourselves and our relationship

• We embrace personal development, so our move was a new way to learn and challenge ourselves.

• We moved as prepared as possible for the adventure—emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially.

• We embraced the new culture finding virtues in the people, landscape beauty, and food.

• We came with appropriate expectations — we didn’t expect Costa Rica to be like the United States.

A Final Thought

Moving to another country can be an adventure of new experiences and Culture Shock! When you move to Costa Rica, you'll join the vibrant and diverse society here.

You'll be able to explore the country's many attractions, from the mountains and lakes to the coastline and rainforest. You'll also have the opportunity to meet new people from around the world living in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is an excellent option to explore your creativity, work on personal development, or find a more peaceful place than your home country. Plus, it's always fun to experience a little culture shock!

Pura Vida! 🌺