Transcript Understanding & Overcoming Culture Shock

Understanding & Overcoming
Culture Shock
What is Culture?
Perception of Culture
u/iss/proemta/dintl/material/iccburg.doc
W Curve
Stages of Transition Shock
Re-Entry to
Home
Culture
Entry Into
New
Culture
Culture
Surprise
Adaptation
Re-Entry
Surprise
Culture
Stress
Culture
Shock
Re-Entry
Shock
TIME
Integration of
Intercultural
Experience
Communication Truths
• People communicate – verbally, nonverbally,
consciously, sub-consciously
• Each person is a product of his/her experience, culture,
environment, and innate factors
• All communication is culture-bound-language is not a
simple coding and decoding system; meaning have
cultural contexts
• All communication is intercultural-because all people are
cultural, and because all communication is culturebound, there is an intercultural exchange
• Within all groups, as across groups, there are always
different styles of communication
Group Discussions
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Enjoy yourself
Reach out and meet everyone – we are here to help each other
Participate at your own comfort level
Try new behaviors
Keep an open mind
Speak for yourself, give others chance to share
Respect differences – explore reason behind difference
If you have a strong reaction to a cultural difference try to explore
what that says about your own values
Please do not bash, trash or judge another’s cultural experience
no matter how contrary it may seem to your own
Tips to Overcome Culture Shock
• Relationships are key in cultural adjustment
• Find cultural informant classmate, GSI,
another Freshman
• The internet is your friend but it’s better to
find a real person
• We have different expectations but can find
the common ground
• You’re not the only one
HAVE A GREAT YEAR!!