3.

THE DISINTEGRATION STAGE

After the novelty wears off, the host culture starts to intrude . . . in unexpected and often uncontrollable ways. . . . This sense of being different, isolated, and inadequate seems permanent, together with bewilderment, alienation, depression, and withdrawal. In extreme cases this stage can seem to result in the complete disintegration of personality.

• Paul Pedersen, The Five Stages of Culture Shock

Low or not low is no matter. It’s just that feelings go up, and then they come down.

• Toru