Transcript
Culture Shock
Culture Shock• What is culture shock?
o indicatorso stages
• Dealing with ito tipso activities
What is Culture Shock? • Physical & psychological • Part of living abroad
Honeymoon Stage
Comfort Level
Time
ExcitingAmazingBeautiful
I can’t wait to tell all my friends
about this place!
Honeymoon Indicators• Excitement• Optimism• Adventure
Conflict Stage
Comfort Level
Time
We would never do that at home!
These people are so ___!
I can’t wait to go home!
Conflict Indicators• Unmet expectations• Frustration• Unable to understand
Critical Period
Comfort Level
Time
Imagine if I did that back
home?!?
There’s no reason why they shouldn’t
do that.
Critical Period Indicators• Exploration• Self-reflection• Adjustment
Recovery Stage
Comfort Level
Time
You don’t understand
them the way I do.
I’m beginning to like this.We do that,
just differently.
Recovery Indicators• Developed greater tolerance• Became part of the community• Improved language skills
Some more points• Your experience might not follow the cycle
exactly• You might start the cycle at a different position• You might also experience reverse culture
shock
Do’s• Do’s when experiencing a culture shock
o Regular stress-reducing mechanismSports, favourite music, painting, teddy bear - whatever works for you when you are in stress at home
o Be natural in your behaviourAllow yourself natural retreat (“don’t eat the cake in one piece”) or natural aggression - use these valves for regaining orientation
Dont’sDont’s when experiencing a culture shock• Don’t exaggerate
Watch yourself to not stick to your first “flight” or “fight” reaction
• First reflect, then actIt’s nobody’s fault - it’s a culture shock. Sleep it over before you make your judgement or even start doing or saying stupid things.
Dealing with It• 10. Keep busy and active
• 9. Establish strong friendship with people from the host culture
• 8. Make a list of positive things about the culture and look through it occasionally
• 7. Realize that everyone who goes abroad experiences culture shock
• 6. Be an avid learner about the country. Find out all the information you can
Dealing with It• 5. Try to trace every
“strange action” to its underlying values
• 4. Find someone from your country that has been there longer. Use that person to gain perspective
Dealing with It• 3. Avoid foreigners who
spend their time complaining about the host culture. Avoid criticizing the host culture yourself
• 2. Work at maintaining a healthy sense of humor. Be ready to laugh at yourself
• 1. When talking about experiences, focus on your
feelings rather than the causes
Activities• Keep a journal or
weblog (http://www.blogspot.com)• Create a “to-do” list• Remember why you went you abroad
Additional Ideas• Positive emotions• Remember you’re not alone• Find host culture resources
o AIESECerso other international studentso people at work
• Know your weak points
Thank you
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