AN ANALYSIS OF CULTURE SHOCK FACED BY INDONESIAN STUDENTS IN NATIVE ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES

This research is aimed at figuring out how Indonesian students in
native English-speaking countries experience the culture shock of the
academic setting and how Indonesian students cope with culture
shock. This research employed a mixed-method research design and
focused on Winkelman’s and Xia’s theories. The researcher used a
questionnaire and an interview as instruments of the research for ten
Indonesian students who are studying in native English-speaking
countries. The first finding showed there are four stages to culture
shock faced by Indonesian students. Such as the honeymoon or tourist
phase because of excitement, hospitality, scenery, and new
experiences in the college aspects, such as Indonesian students' free
counseling service for students’ health such as mental health and
nutrition. The second is the crises or cultural shock because of
language barriers, disrespect, emotion, and homesickness aspects.
The third is the adjustment, reorientation, and gradual recovery phase,
which includes aspects of recovery homesickness and social
environment. The last is the adaptation, resolution or acculturation
phase because of emotion and taking an event aspect. The second
finding showed how Indonesian students cope with culture shock
with four adaptation strategies: self-confidence and optimism;
accepting a new culture; seeking social support; and doing something,
even doing something is not included in Xia’s theory. The implication
of this research is to give an understanding of culture shock and how
to deal with it. The suggestion of this research is to undertake more
the aspects of culture shock and the unique stories of the respondents
that will have an impact on students in university.
Keywords: culture shock, Indonesian students, academic setting