It's not right or wrong. It's just different. When faced with a new way of life, everybody experiences some form of culture shock. Culture shock is really the transition where one changes from a visitor to part of the local culture.

The reason for culture shock is mostly the fantastic views travelers imagine of where they plan to travel. Whether it is a fantasy of being the local town hero, the American everybody loves, or visions of exotic destinations on the front of brochures, once bad weather hits, language barriers arise, and different cultures confuse, the shock therapy knocks travelers off their feet. According to Shackword, "It's not a homecoming party when you arrive to Africa... culture shock usually happens right away on our program."

This sudden change is a mixture of depression, homesickness and/or irritability. It is important to know that it is natural to experience such feelings. The best way to overcome it is to realize what you're feeling, to use the support networks you have (letters home, other volunteers, new friends), and to know it will pass. It's almost like a rite of passage. Once you're over it, you've actually become closer to the local culture.