Culture shock is best described as which of the following?

• A. A temporary sense of excitement when visiting new places
• B. Discomfort from immersion in a culture different from one's own
• C. A permanent change in language after travel
• D. A minor inconvenience with no cultural impact

Answer: (B)

Culture shock is the discomfort and disorientation you feel when you’re immersed in a culture that's different from your own. When you’re surrounded by unfamiliar norms, languages, foods, and social cues, you might feel anxious, homesick, or frustrated as you try to interpret how to act and what things mean. This describes the experience of adjusting to new cultural expectations and practices. It isn’t simply excitement at first arrival, nor is it about a permanent change in language, and it isn’t just a minor inconvenience with no impact—culture shock involves real emotional and cognitive strain as you navigate a new cultural environment.