The diploma thesis deals with culture shock, its stages, symptoms, and main characteristics. The theory used is supported by my own experience and interviews with female students from the former Yugoslavia. The topic under discussion attempts to show the effects of encountering a culture that, at first sight, is very similar to one's own but which is, on the other hand, com- pletely different. As I pointed out, the focus was on female students who moved to Slovenia to study. There are successive phases of culture shock, manifested in everyday life and the per- formance of duties, leading to a deeper understanding of another culture. On the other hand, there is a positive side, suggesting that culture shock promotes intercultural understanding and communication. The interviewees' adaptation is evident, as seen in the empirical part of the diploma thesis, and intercultural understanding and intercultural communication were achieved through cultural relativism. Furthermore, it led them to strengthen their self-confidence, knowledge of their own culture, more excellent knowledge and experience of Slovenian culture, not only it but also culture in general.
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