"Can you handle it?“
I try to avoid asking a Dutch audience for criticism after one of my workshops; the experience is much the same as being machine gunned” said Fons Trompenaars, Dutch (!) author, speaker and consultant in cross-cultural communication.

How Does Culture Shock Affect You?

Do you ever feel lonely or alienated living in the Netherlands? Or do you ever feel like you hate the Dutch? Or do you ever get angry and frustrated at your partner for ‘making’ you move here? Culture Shock is the term used to describe the reaction we have to the stress of living in another environment. Whilst it’s not always nice, it’s a normal part of adjusting to a new country. Everyone goes through it, some people get through it quicker than others, some people suffer more than others, but we all go through it.