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Chapter 9: Settling in to your
New Life. When you arrive at your intended destination, be sure
to register with the relevant local authorities. This includes the relevant
consulate or embassy, as this will provide a means of support in the event of
an emergency. Arriving at your destination may prove to be more of a
shock than you expected. Many people develop what is known as culture shock.
Culture shock develops as a result of being removed from the social intercourse
to which one has become accustomed and entering into a strange, new and
unfamiliar environment. Culture shock involves three phases. Phase One: ‘The
Honeymoon Phase’: The individual feels and excited and
positive about their new surroundings. This phase can last anywhere from a
matter of weeks to six months. Phase Two: The individual becomes disenchanted with the surroundings, followed by feelings of emptiness and unease resulting from dissatisfaction with the new environment. Signs of this phase include, anger, irritability, negativity, excessive eating and drinking, concerns over cleanliness,
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