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TheLongWayHome
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 1016
Location: San Luis Piojosi
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 Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:38 pm Post subject: Cultural Adaptation |
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We use this as part of the orientation for new teachers. I also found it good reading and finally discovered why I was moody sometimes. I think I still swing between the irritability and adaptation phase quite regularly.
| Someone off the internet wrote: |
Phases of Cultural Adaptation
Recent studies have shown that there are distinct phases of culture shock which virtually everyone who lives abroad goes through. Each phase has a number of characteristic features, one of which is usually predominant. These stages include:
Preliminary stage: This phase includes awareness of the host culture, preparation for the journey, farewell activities.
Initial euphoria: The initial euphoria phase begins with the arrival in the new country and ends when this excitement wears off.
Irritability: During the irritability phase you will be acclimating to your setting. This will produce frustration because of the difficulty in coping with the elementary aspects of everyday life when things still appear foreign to you. Your focus will likely turn to the differences between the host culture and your home, and these differences can be troubling. Sometimes insignificant difficulties can seem like major problems. When differences are subtle, they can easily be labeled as a problem rather than simply a difference.
One typical reaction against culture shock is to associate mainly with other foreigners, but remember, you are going abroad to get to know the host country, its people, culture, and language. If you avoid contact with nationals of the host country, you cheat yourself and lengthen the process of adaptation.
Gradual adjustment: When you become more used to the new culture, you will slip into the gradual adjustment stage. You may not even be aware that this is happening. You will begin to orient yourself and to be able to interpret subtle cultural clues. The culture will become familiar to you.
Adaptation and biculturalism: Eventually you will develop the ability to function in the new culture. Your sense of "foreignness" diminishes significantly. And not only will you be more comfortable with the host culture, but you may also feel a part of it. Once abroad, you can take some steps to minimize emotional and physical ups and downs. Try to establish routines that incorporate both the difficult and enjoyable tasks of the day or week. Treat yourself to an occasional indulgence such as a favorite meal or beverage, or a long talk with other Americans experiencing the same challenges. Keep yourself healthy through regular exercise and eating habits. Accept invitations to activities that will allow you to see areas of the host culture outside the school and meet new people. Above all try to maintain your sense of humor.
Re-entry phase: The re-entry phase occurs when you return to your homeland. For some, this can be the most painful phase of all. You will be excited about sharing your experiences, and you will realize that you have changed, although you may not be able to explain how. One set of values has long been instilled in you, another you have acquired in the host country. Both may seem equally valid. |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:18 am Post subject: |
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A couple other good pages on Culture Shock are at:
http://tefldaddy.com/Culture_Shock.htm
and
http://moving.about.com/od/internationalmoves/a/culture_shock.htm
A better understanding of culture shock would help a LOT of people make better adjustments. Even after being overseas for 17 years now - I find times when I am ineffective due to language or cultural differences - and I am quite affected by such things.
Part of our Western self-concepts, I think, are notions of efficiency and effectiveness - that sometimes just don't translate well to other cultures. |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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An important element to add is an approximation of when each phase sets in and how long it lasts. I read an article that included an approximate timeline, but I don't recall the specifics. I think the euphoria phase typically lasts a few months.
d |
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saint57
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 1221
Location: Beyond the Dune Sea
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| Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:58 am Post subject: |
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| I'm not euphoric about Malaysia and I've only been here three weeks. Do these stages apply to everyone or just newbies? Am I in trouble here? Should I be humping a palm tree or something? |
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Calories
Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 361
Location: Chinese Food Hell
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| Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:55 am Post subject: |
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ha, I was moody as hell at home so I don't bother to blame culture shock. I'm just crazy  Hate the food though gah. |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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These are general ideas, not rules. Timeframes vary widely from person to person- and you can, as another poster mentioned, jump back and forth between them at any time.
I'm close to my Ecuadorian colleagues, move easily in my social sphere, and speak the language fluently. Most of the time, I feel like I'm in an "Adaptation and biculturalism" phase. But somehow, when a taxi driver tries to charge me 4 times the going rate, I drop back into "Irritability" immediately. Then friends take me to see or do something that I'd never even imagined, and I'm back in "euphoria," and so on...
MAybe I'm just crazy...
Justin |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Justin Trullinger wrote: |
These are general ideas, not rules. Timeframes vary widely from person to person- and you can, as another poster mentioned, jump back and forth between them at any time.
I'm close to my Ecuadorian colleagues, move easily in my social sphere, and speak the language fluently. Most of the time, I feel like I'm in an "Adaptation and biculturalism" phase. But somehow, when a taxi driver tries to charge me 4 times the going rate, I drop back into "Irritability" immediately. Then friends take me to see or do something that I'd never even imagined, and I'm back in "euphoria," and so on...
MAybe I'm just crazy...
Justin |
I like your response - YES! on all counts.
I especially get pissed when I go into the tourist districts of either Phuket or Bangkok and all of a sudden the taxi drivers and everyone starts f*cking with you - taxi drivers won't turn on their meters - everyone has a "special" deal for you. Yeah, right. Tis when I get in the cranky mode - but I suspect it has nothing to do with culture shock and everything to do with people messing with you . . .  |
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