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Coming North of the Border: Cultural Adjustment of Latinos at
US Campuses
Nacac National Conference, September 20-Nacac National Conference, September 20-23, 200123, 2001
San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas
Coming North of the Border: Cultural Adjustment of Latinos at US Campuses
Georgia Costalas
College Placement Counselor
Colegio Bolivar, Cali, Colombia
Introduction
Session I Introduction Simulation Game Discussion of Intercultural Communication Review of Culture Shock Characteristics for Good Intercultural
Communication Questions
Introduction
Session II US Educational Philosophy US values Latino Characteristics vs. US Students speak; Situations Questions
Not Waving Not Waving But DrowningBut Drowning
by Stevie Smith
Nobody heard him, the dead man,But still he lay moaning:I was much further out than you thoughtAnd not waving but drowning.
Poor chap, he always loved larkingAnd now he’s deadIt must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,They said.
Oh no no no, it was too cold always(Still the dead one lay moaning)I was much too far out all my lifeAnd not waving but drowning.
Stage I
Length of Time:A few days to several weeks
Reaction to Host culture:Student finds this foreign culture interesting,
fascinating, admirable, at worst, quaint. The student is curious and excited, euphoric.
Student sees the similarities between the new culture with his/her own and pleasantly decides all peoples and their cultures are basically the same.
Stage II
Length of Time: A few weeks to several months--very often this hits
about 3 months after arrival, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Reaction to Host culture:The differences between host and native culture lead to
feelings of discomfort, frustration, inadequacy. Student may withdraw, lose motivation, be depressed, homesick, angry, hostile, oversleep or overeat.
Student has become increasingly aware of the differences between his/her culture and the host culture. He/She may have already encountered some problems due to the differences.
Stage III
Length of Time: Months, overlaps to some degree with Alienation
Reaction to Host culture:Gradually the new culture makes sense. The newly
gained knowledge and understanding of the culture leads to successful interactions. The student has increased self confidence increases, pride in functioning successfully.
Student is beginning to understand cultural cues even as he/she is becoming successful at school activities. He/She is sure of survival in the new culture.
Stage IV
At this stage the student can live easily in both cultures. The differences between the cultures are accepted and the student can choose to enjoy parts of the new culture as well as his/her own. He/She can communicate readily in the new culture and enjoy much of the new culture. The student feels at home, comfortable, can see things from the host culture perspective.
Reverse Culture Shock--the trip home!
After success in the new culture the sojourner wants to tell those at home about experience and finds disinterestedness. This leads to feeling disconnected, disoriented, irritable, homesick for overseas site, ambivalent about "home"
The traveler may criticize home and friends, be lethargic, have keen interest in foreign affairs and news.
Understanding one’s one values and culture and re-evaluating those values: holding onto, discarding or adapting values.
Developing a wider and better understanding of the world.
Advantages of having lived through culture shock
What can one do for culture shock?
1. Acknowledge feelings without judging oneself.
2. Find a sympathetic listener, but do not hang out with those who are very
negative about the host culture
Rest, Sleep enoughStress uses more energy;You will need more rest.
4. Keep a diary--you will be able to see howfar you have come.5. Stay in touch with family and friends
6. Be optimistic7. Know your new home8. Resist negative judgements
Characteristics that encourage intercultural communication
from The Handbook of Foreign Student Advising by Gary Althen
Nonjudgmentalness
Interest in Cultural Differences
Respect for Others
Tolerance for AmbiguityTolerance for AmbiguitySociability
Patience
Intelligence
Self Awareness
Kindness
Coming North of the Border: Transition of Latinos at US
Campuses
Section II
Introduction
Session II US Educational Philosophy US values Latino Characteristics vs. US Students speak; Situations Questions
US Educational PhilosophyUS Educational Philosophy
AccessibilityUniversal LiteracyEqual Opportunity
Local Control Parental InvolvementWell Rounded People
More Knowledge to Come
From “Education” in American Ways
The Values Americans The Values Americans Live ByLive By
L. Robert KohlsThe Washington International Center, 1984
Americans have a clearly identifiable value in 13 areas
Personal Control Over the EnvironmentChangeTimeEquality/EgalitarianismIndividualismSelf-Help ConceptCompetition and Free EnterpriseFuture Orientation Action/Work OrientationInformalityDirectness, Openness and HonestyPracticality and EfficiencyMaterialism
Fluid, Casual,value individualism,independencedirectness
Long lasting and close,People oriented;Value group effort and
Cooperation
Relationships
Colombian characteristics, for exampleColombian characteristics, for example
Tolerant for the ambivalent--Colombians are Tolerant for the ambivalent--Colombians are ready to believe that there could be another ready to believe that there could be another possibility beside the obvious. They are possibility beside the obvious. They are slower to jump to conclusions. Flexible slower to jump to conclusions. Flexible when they see situations arise. Tolerant of when they see situations arise. Tolerant of difficulties, and interruptions to a schedule.difficulties, and interruptions to a schedule.
Time
Compulsive TimeOrientation;
Plans for future;Structures life around
time;Future Oriented
Extended TimeOrientation;
Lives for today;Structures life
aroundPeople;Past and PresentOriented
Life’s Accomplishments
Achievement Oriented;Value goals, efficiency;
More achievement=More reward
People Oriented;Value relationships;
Working well togetheris important
Equality of Genders
Equality Valued(and litigated)
Machismo Prevalent
Directness in Expression
Directness is desireD;Honesty at all costs;
allowance for disagreement
Directness is Avoidedfor sake of Relationships;Unanimity is valued
Power to Determine Life
People can and shouldcontrol their environment;
People with Power areequal to those without
Life is determined by external forces;
There is distance betweenthose with power and those
without
Access to Opportunity
Equal Opportunity
Hierarchy of Opportunity
Feeling of Uncertainty
Thrive on uncertainty;Enjoy taking risks
Avoid Uncertainty;“Mejor malo conocido que
bueno por Conocer
The Students Talk
Survey Questions:
What were some of the difficulties or challenges in the American culture that you faced when arriving to the US?
How do you think that you helped yourself overcome these difficulties?
What advice would you give to other Latinos who are preparing to come to a US campus?
Latinos face the same challenges as all students entering the college:
missing friends and family; food and the comforts of home;
confronting unfamiliar weather and environment;
but the differences are greater and the geographical distances from the familiar are further.
Some of the challenges reveal the special social class of many of the Latinos who go to US campuses: loss of luxuries and status I was used to having a
maid cook for me and arriving at home every night to a warm, healthy, balanced meal. It’s hard especially for us "spoiled Bolivar brats." We’re used to our own rooms and the luxuries of maids.
What I had learned about the U.S. was that this country fostered a true melting pot, with almost no differences across the different ethnic and cultural groups. I have seen a very different picture. People make so many ridiculous generalizations about members of one ethnic group or another and “explain” what it is that makes people from other races inferior.
The cold truth that I was in an Caucasian/Anglo-Saxon ruled country.
Prejudice and racism
People here think you are a criminal just because you are Colombian.
Prejudice and racism
Americans have irrational stereotypes concerning Mexicans, and Latin Americans in general.I cannot count how many times
people have referred to me as a drug addict, dealer, mafia person, etc.
BEING SEEN AS A MINORITY, AND HAVING PEOPLE THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE I AM LATINO, I WANT TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO THEM.
The most challenging experience was to see how students behave themselves in class. They are very outgoing and not afraid to express their opinion. In class, many of them don't find it disrespectful to eat or put their feet on top of the chairs, even though they sit in the front row.
I was smoking outside of a mall once, where it is legal to smoke, and three different women came up to me screaming because I was smoking.
Everything in the U.S. is so controlled that people need to be interfearing [sic] with your lives.
Public Behavior and Laws
Drinking age! They have very radical measures with under age drinking.
Use of slang, body language, American relationships.
The American culture is colder (no hugs or kisses when saying hi, for example) and also its much more based upon structure and process. By this, I mean that people are restricted to what they have to do rather that what they could do. Moving out of the procedural or planned seems to become too much of a burden
No social life, very individual, directness, very planned life, strict personal space, little physical contact, fast life, deadline oriented.
Life seems to be too quick.. no one has time for anything..
People here are toooooo cold.
Cleaning habits!!! from my experience and my friends experiences, americans in the dorms have terrible cleaning habits. It is a shock when your roommate or suitemate is american. They usually just throw every thing every where in the room and the hall, never do laundry and never clean the bathroom after using it. (I don't want to generalize)
American students lack manners, are immature, sloppy, and loud
The American culture could be very tough and rude to Colombians or foreigners, this could make you very sad.
One of the most shocking things to me the sexual promiscuity, so blatant
Everyone was into extreme sex.
Everybody does drugs.
The girls were just all getting drunk and the guys seemed to be standing around waiting which one was drunk enough to take home with them.
I felt that the American kids were dealing with the overwhelming aspect of freedom, going crazy and drinking.
Private Behavior
Advice does not always agree
First, Second and Third steer clear of every latino you see. Ignore them, be rude, do not attend their parties, do not study with them. Do not take international classes unless they make you. Get yourself a native english speaking girl/boyfriend. Give yourself permission to have latino friends only after completion of your 3rd year
Don't hang out with only Latinos
Get a latino roomate.
Choose a University were the percentage of Latinos is high.
I looked for the latino group because I
found it really hard to adjust to the american way of
having fun.
Be open to others, in a cautious way
Definitely get in touch with someone who was gone over this process so they can guide you through.
You should be ready to put up with a lot of ignorance and intolerance, and begin developing a thick skin.
Be very open minded and try to accept the American culture and not to fight against it. That will not take you anywhere.
Survival Strategies
Watch out with the law!! you can get in trouble with what you think are stupid things.
...winter does actually end...
HANG ON TO YOUR VALUES AND ROOTS
Be always on time, treat everyone fairly, be 110% honest, be very kind and work hard.
Show the positive aspects of your Culture.
Be yourself and be secure, be proud of the country which you come from and be nice to everybody.
Be an Ambassador
Sacrifice a little comfort in exchange for wonderful experiences that will help you to grow and that you can enjoy if you maintain a positive attitude.
Learn from new experiences and allow them to broaden your horizons.
Take Advantage of the Opportunity
Bottom line, love the place you are in!
Understand a little bit more the history of America. When one understands the challenges that the first people had to go through, where they came from, why the came to America and how the US has seen itself surpass other countries one can better understand why Americans are the way they are. So the answer is study their history.
