Arrival:
This is the start of your personal reaction to change. You will inevitably experience Culture Shock which just means the adjustment process everybody goes through when they move to a new country, a new culture or just return to their home country. This Excitement Stage is similar to a Honeymoon Period.
While anxiously and excitedly preparing to move to Jakarta everybody has a preconceived mental objective of what they will achieve professionally and personally. Hopes and aspirations are often set unrealistically high but that is of no concern. Everybody also has another mental image of the exotic travel brochure Asian city possibly reinforced by your arrival flight over the countryside and city. The reality is different from the anticipation but the excitement of arrival allows you to ignore the crowded airport terminal, the long wait for luggage and those parts of the city obviously in need of a facelift.
Depression is the last thing on your mind. You are met and made welcome. Your professional peer group is genuinely interested in a new face. You appreciate the boost to your ego as you graciously overlook the car and accommodation which may be different from your usual standards but which are clearly more than just adequate. Keep in mind that in the Antarctic it has been shown that psychological adjustment problems to isolation appear to increase with greater physical comfort. Nobody is suggesting you should live in a grass hut in Jakarta. You will be enthusiastically determined to do well, be successful, be tolerant and not be concerned with trivia such as cars and accommodation. You may realise that more effective pre departure planning would have been very useful to you and your family.
Be Yourself:
During this Excitement Stage it is important to display your usual personality. A change to more outgoing, attention seeking behaviour often associated with excessive alcohol consumption followed by a reversion to your normal personality unsettles the adoptive/acceptance mechanisms of your peers. Such behaviour often simply reflects natural exuberance and optimism. Equally it may reflect insecurity after realising the inherent isolation and geographical restrictions of Jakarta.
Maintain your own private identity as best you can while you wait for your personal effects to be delivered. Don't arrive in Jakarta just with suitcase in hand. Bring a few personal items and familiar possessions with you such as a favourite ornament or a photo of your dog. It is especially important for your children's security to have several familiar toys with them while they are settling in.
While anxiously and excitedly preparing to move to Jakarta everybody has a preconceived mental objective of what they will achieve professionally and personally. Hopes and aspirations are often set unrealistically high but that is of no concern. Everybody also has another mental image of the exotic travel brochure Asian city possibly reinforced by your arrival flight over the countryside and city. The reality is different from the anticipation but the excitement of arrival allows you to ignore the crowded airport terminal, the long wait for luggage and those parts of the city obviously in need of a facelift.
Depression is the last thing on your mind. You are met and made welcome. Your professional peer group is genuinely interested in a new face. You appreciate the boost to your ego as you graciously overlook the car and accommodation which may be different from your usual standards but which are clearly more than just adequate. Keep in mind that in the Antarctic it has been shown that psychological adjustment problems to isolation appear to increase with greater physical comfort. Nobody is suggesting you should live in a grass hut in Jakarta. You will be enthusiastically determined to do well, be successful, be tolerant and not be concerned with trivia such as cars and accommodation. You may realise that more effective pre departure planning would have been very useful to you and your family.
Be Yourself:
During this Excitement Stage it is important to display your usual personality. A change to more outgoing, attention seeking behaviour often associated with excessive alcohol consumption followed by a reversion to your normal personality unsettles the adoptive/acceptance mechanisms of your peers. Such behaviour often simply reflects natural exuberance and optimism. Equally it may reflect insecurity after realising the inherent isolation and geographical restrictions of Jakarta.
Maintain your own private identity as best you can while you wait for your personal effects to be delivered. Don't arrive in Jakarta just with suitcase in hand. Bring a few personal items and familiar possessions with you such as a favourite ornament or a photo of your dog. It is especially important for your children's security to have several familiar toys with them while they are settling in.
Social Groups:
Initial social attractions will generally arise from previous common work or social experience. During this time your closest social relationships are initially formed between those with similar duties eg. Teachers will associate with teachers. You may well find there is eventually over-identification with one another in these groups. The initial relationship may then weaken as minor perceived character imperfections change from minor blemishes to warts.
Climate:
The heat and high relative humidity may affect you adversely. You may be very tired and lethargic with any activity, particularly physical activity, being a real drain. Human beings are distressed by changes in climate: Initially they are inefficient but over time that improves. Part of this adaptation is behavioural and physiological but part is emotional or psychological as you become accustomed to your new environment. These climatic effects are worse in those who are new to these hot tropical conditions. Your body will slowly adapt. Be reassured your lethargy will fade.
Prolonged spells of wet weather adversely affect the whole community. The Wet Season can be a long grind for some people. Much Jakarta entertainment is indoors so communal depression lifts when the sun shines. A day of some outdoor physical activity is remarkably therapeutic.
End of the Excitement Stage
After about three to four months you will notice the fascination and excitement of your new surroundings is waning. The Excitement Stage or Honeymoon Period is gradually coming to an end.
You will have realised by the end of the Excitement Stage that to be an effective person in Jakarta you need three essential components: Job motivation, Emotional stability and Social compatibility.
During the Excitement Stage you will have enjoyed Jakarta and savoured its many delights. Your children will have settled in quickly. These weeks will have been spent enthusiastically exploring the city and taking multiple photos of the tourist sites. You may even have worked out how and where to buy household essentials. Most of all you will have thoroughly enjoyed this stage.
Initial social attractions will generally arise from previous common work or social experience. During this time your closest social relationships are initially formed between those with similar duties eg. Teachers will associate with teachers. You may well find there is eventually over-identification with one another in these groups. The initial relationship may then weaken as minor perceived character imperfections change from minor blemishes to warts.
Climate:
The heat and high relative humidity may affect you adversely. You may be very tired and lethargic with any activity, particularly physical activity, being a real drain. Human beings are distressed by changes in climate: Initially they are inefficient but over time that improves. Part of this adaptation is behavioural and physiological but part is emotional or psychological as you become accustomed to your new environment. These climatic effects are worse in those who are new to these hot tropical conditions. Your body will slowly adapt. Be reassured your lethargy will fade.
Prolonged spells of wet weather adversely affect the whole community. The Wet Season can be a long grind for some people. Much Jakarta entertainment is indoors so communal depression lifts when the sun shines. A day of some outdoor physical activity is remarkably therapeutic.
End of the Excitement Stage
After about three to four months you will notice the fascination and excitement of your new surroundings is waning. The Excitement Stage or Honeymoon Period is gradually coming to an end.
You will have realised by the end of the Excitement Stage that to be an effective person in Jakarta you need three essential components: Job motivation, Emotional stability and Social compatibility.
During the Excitement Stage you will have enjoyed Jakarta and savoured its many delights. Your children will have settled in quickly. These weeks will have been spent enthusiastically exploring the city and taking multiple photos of the tourist sites. You may even have worked out how and where to buy household essentials. Most of all you will have thoroughly enjoyed this stage.
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