Which option is NOT a stage of culture shock?

Understanding why "C" is considered NOT a stage of culture shock is key to grasping the concept itself. Culture shock typically involves a series of emotional and psychological phases that individuals experience when they move to a new cultural environment. These stages often include the honeymoon phase, where individuals feel excited and hopeful about the new culture, followed by phases of frustration or shock as they encounter challenges that stem from cultural differences.

The stages that are commonly identified in the culture shock model are adjustment, where individuals begin to find their footing and adapt to the new environment; reintegration, where they might start to feel more integrated into the culture; and the honeymoon phase, which marks the initial feelings of excitement and novelty.

"Understanding" is not recognized as an official stage in this model. While understanding the new culture may occur throughout the entire process, it does not stand on its own as a distinct phase of culture shock. Instead, it is an ongoing integrative aspect of experiencing and navigating different cultural stages.