Moving to a new country can be exciting, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges.
The culture, language, and people all take some getting used to. This is especially true when moving from the United States to South Africa, like in the case of Eyal Dulin.
Cultural shock refers to the discomfort and loss of identity that comes with moving to a new place and experiencing a different environment altogether. While culture shock is an inevitable part of moving to a new country, and it can be tough.
However, there’s hope in knowing that once its four stages have passed, it does get better. When Eyal Dulin started his own business consultancy firm in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2019, he was faced with a massive culture shock, and here’s what he expressed about it:
The Social Structure
As opposed to the 7.7% poverty rate in America, about 50% of the population of South Africa lives on the poverty line or below it.
When faced with this fact, Eyal Dulin reported there’s bound to be unease and discomfort when faced with the living conditions, lack of education, and more than often, lack of necessities.
It’s not uncommon to find children at work while they should have been at school, and this wreaks internal havoc among a newcomer who feels inclined to help but also realizes it’s not entirely safe.
Safety
It comes as no surprise that safety is a valid concern in South Africa, especially when you’re a foreigner.
With the onset of the pandemic, the crime in South Africa only heightened, and this came pretty soon after Eyal Dulin’s arrival. He remembers being afraid to step outside for a couple of days and explains how it took much effort to finally feel safe.
The Social Aspect
Staying in South Africa, you’ve got to get used to the ‘joie de vivre’ attitude; South Africans love life, and this is evident in their attitudes and daily activities.
Be prepared for a significant amount of friendliness and warmth from strangers and friends and family you already know.
This is very unlike the blasé attitude of the city folks in America. Socializing is a significant portion of their lives, and it benefits everyone to be part of it.
All in all, the culture shock is huge, but Eyal Dulin assures us it gets better and that we must cling to hope.
About Eyal Dulin
Eyal Dulin worked for many years in sales, after which he went on to start his own business consulting company in Cape Town, South Africa.
He now juggles between the two countries. In the US, he works with a Bradenton company to create training programs for employees and ensures the sales team is compliant with Federal and State Regulations.
In his free time, he loves to travel and meet new people and has recently traveled to Israel, Jordan, and South Africa while completing his MBA.
Written by : eyadmin
