Culture pt.2Culture ShockRyan Packard, Arlette Fellores, Mr. Fabulous (John)ISD 200

See references at end of presentation

Agenda• John’s Assignment 2 notes and Artwalk information• Video - Culture Shock: One International Student’s Experience• Activity - Adaptability• Four stages of culture shock• Managing culture shock• Fun facts about the USA• Assignment 2

Assignment 2 notes and other stuff• Try to use keywords from the assignment

requirements• In your assignments, use 1st person phrases such as, “I

think”, “In my opinion”, or “I feel that”.• Rely on classmates for clarification• Some of your grades will not be given back by

Thursday• Jim Jones?• Would you like a list of English learning resources via

email?• Conversation Group?

Assignment 2 notes

Great quote:

As the iceberg theory says, everything we see of foreign country is only

a little part of it. And when we don't know much about something, we have no right to judge it. That matters a great deal to me. I used to think Americans are mean and Indonesians are inflexible, but now I find it is unfair to think like that. We have different culture, different faith, how can we deal with life problems in the same way? And more importantly, only when we show respect to others, can we get the same respect we expect.

Let’s first relax and laugh a bit at culture shock?

One student’s experience of Culture Shock

Going to college in America was a culture shock

Culture Shock ActivityWhat is culture shock?• Small group discussions – Stages of culture shock• Read the following:

“For the past 30 years psychologists and anthropologists have been researching culture shock. They have studied the reactions and experiences during the first few months in a new country of travelers and diplomats, business people and international students. Research has shown that what most of these people have in common is a series of reactions to the new culture. Culture shock can affect people to different degrees, but there is a predictable sequence of stages that people undergo.”

The Four Stages ofCulture Shock

The Honeymoon Stage!! Woo hoo!! Seattle rules!!

Characteristics of the Honeymoon Stage• Sadness• Loneliness• Frustration• Anxiety• Difficulty concentrating• Feeling left out• Feeling misunderstood• Negative, simplistic views of Americans• Seeking others of own country• Homesickness

Statistic: After 1 year, 38% of international students say they experienced culture shock (Columbia University).

Shock/Frustration StageOh no! Seattle sucks!!

Characteristics of the Shock/Frustration Stage• Frustrated because can’t speak the language• Inches?? Feet?? Fahrenheit??• Coins – no numbers on them??• Americans always positive/plastic• Homesickness - more• Exhaustion• Increased worry• A desire to withdraw• HATING AMERICANS!!

You start to think ALL Americans are:

FAKE!!

Superficial Insincere

Distant Hypocritical

artificial

unfriendly

rude

rigid

untrustworthy

not spontaneous

bad taste in clothes

tasteless

irritatingshallow

stupid

naive

loud

Adjustment StageOkay, Seattle isn’t so bad.

Characteristics of the Adjustment Stage• More comfortable with your surroundings• Trying new foods• Making Friends• Living a 'normal' life• Integration of your own beliefs with those of the new culture• Becoming proficient in the language• Developing a sense of humor in regards to your new life

So, are Americans really fake?

This is just cultural!!

Remember, you are viewing the US culture through your own cultural lens.

Acceptance StageWhy wasn’t I born here??I’m never leaving!!

Characteristics of the Acceptance Stage

• You are able to find the good and bad in both the US and your home country• Show your personality• Think of Seattle as your second home• Developing a bicultural identity

Managing culture shockFirst, how long will culture shock last?

International students at Columbia University were polled after one year of living in the US.

26% < 1 month24% 1-2 months27% 3-4 months11% 5-6 months12% >6 months

Thus, on average, 3-4 months

Managing culture shock• Be patient• Recall goals• See the adventure in it• Humor• Deal with stress as it arises (don’t bottle it up)• Ask for help

What is re-entry shock or reverse culture shock?

This is the shock of coming back home. • Feel like a stranger in your own country.• You have changed in a lot of ways.• They don’t understand that you have changed.• They do not seem interested in your fascinating cultural

experiences.

Fun facts about the USA

Fun Facts about the USASubmitted by Rhesa Suryadi Fall Qtr 2013

Assignment 3, due Wednesday, April 30, by 5pm

Answer this question in a short paragraph:

What stage of culture shock are you currently experiencing? Explain. What can you do to overcome your culture shock, if indeed you are experiencing it? Use terms from the lecture to show you were listening.

References

1. Fishel, Dan. 2008. Columbia Business School. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H82IFq0HbTQ.