Professionals of the field of cultural adaptation often refer to adjustment curves which map out the emotional swings most people go through when adjusting to a new culture.
Culture shock seems to hit almost everyone to some degree or other.
There are many different ways of dealing with it, and what happens after that is key in determining how successful a stint abroad will be. Some people pull out of culture shock to become Participators - they explore further, learn the language, make friends with the locals, bring a great deal of energy to their work and relationships. Some become Adjustors - they do an adequate job, manage to get by, but somehow seem to be withdrawing into themselves and perhaps even rejecting their environment. And others, of course, never do learn to cope with the emotional problems of adjusting to the new culture, and have to leave early. It encompasses the total way of life of any particular group of people - their customs, language, traditions, myths, shares feelings and attitudes.