Survivingamongaliens:ManagingCultureShock2021/7/231CultureShockWhoamI?Howtoadapttoaninternationalexchangeexperiencesuccessfully?2021/7/232Purpose: 1.WhatiscultureShock?SymptomsStages Causes2.Howtocopewithit?GeneralstrategiesObserve&modifyyourownwaysofdoingthingsVerbal&non-verbalcommunicationstyleTipsforFinland2021/7/233WhatiscultureShock?“Cultural shock is caused by the anxiety resulting from losing all our familiar signs and symbols when we move to a new environment”(Oberg,1958). Lackofdirection Notknowing:Whattodo?Howtodothings?Whentodothings?2021/7/234WhatiscultureShock?Physicalsymptoms headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrheaBehaviourtowardspeople1.Dontspeakthelanguage impatient, exasperated2.Systemsofwork(Differ/Wrong) anger, frustration3.Aggression/Racismtowardslocals rude, dirty, lazy“HoweverOpportunities! Learnnewperspectives 1.Developbetterunderstandingofyourself 2021/7/235CauseofCultureShock?BUT:Appropriatebehaviourcanbelearnedobservation, asking locals and other foreigners Conflictanduncertaintybetweenourvalues/rulesandthoseofthenewcultureanxietyculturalshock2021/7/236StagesofCultureshockStageSignsCopingStrategiesHoneymoon(2-8weeks)Disintegration(2-3months)newexperiencesareexcitingbeatouristfeelfortunateforhavingtheopportunitytomoveabroad.sendpostcardshomepeoplearefriendlyandyousmilealot,youreincontrolmakecontactsinclubsandassociations,signupforsomeactivitiesyourownsenseofcultureisnotthreatenedjoinalanguagecoursedailyfrustrationscanbuildintodisillusionmentlookafteryourself,exercise,avoidalcoholthegoodthingsofhomeloomlargegetout,bewithpeoplecontinuelanguagepracticekeepbusysetdailygoalsandmaketheefforttoachievethem.2021/7/237StagesofCultureshockStageSignsCopingStrategiesReintegration(3-6months)BecomingFunctional(6months) asenseofstandinguptothethingsandpeoplethatarefrustratingyoubuildyournetworkoffriendstakethatholidayyoubookedcontinuelanguagestudydeterminationtoworkthingsoutandgetthingsdonespendtimewithpeoplewhoenjoybeingtherekeepwritingtopeoplebackhomefeelincontrolandpositiveagainaboutwhereyouaretrynewthings,andexplorethecultureself-understandingandmoretoleranceofotherspracticethelanguageasenseofcomfortoperatinginthehostcultureyourehelpingothersgetthroughtheiradjustmentsdothingsyouintendedtodowhileinthiscountrybeforeitstimetoleave2021/7/238FinalStageofCultureshockStageSignsCopingStrategiesAcceptance(9months) youremoresuccessfulincommunicationswithlocalsenjoyingbeingwhereyouareadeptatfindingthingsnolongerstereotypingunderstandinglocalcustomsmaintainkeyrelationships2021/7/239How tocopewithit?Rememberthatdespitebeingdifferent,theothersareprobablybeingfriendlytoyouintheirownway.Understandthatyouwillhavetochangeyourfamiliarwaysinordertointegrate.learningabouthowtocommunicateisimportant2021/7/2310DifferencesinCommunicationStylesVERBAL COMMUNICATIONNON-VERBAL COMMUNICATIONStart observing how locals act. ”When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”2021/7/2311DifferencesinCommunicationStyles1.WaysofSpeaking:expressiveness,emotion,animation,intimacyinaddress,volume2.Whospeaks?monologuevs.dialogue,femalevs.male,superiorvs.subordinate3.Structuringinteraction:startingaconversation,appropriatetopic,takingturns,endingaconversation4.Maintainingaconversation:opinions,questioning,joking5.CommunicationStyles:directvs.indirectVERBAL COMMUNICATION2021/7/2312DifferencesinCommunicationStyles1.Bodylanguage:gesturing,dress2.Eyecontact:whenappropriate/inappropriate3.Space:personalspace,homes4.Touch:whocantouchwhom,where5.Paralanguage:tone,pitch,stress,speed,superiority/inferiority,sarcasm6.AttitudestowardstimePreparationfortalking,amountoftimetalked,silenceHowmuchisenoughortoo much? NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION2021/7/2313Cultural TipsforFinland(fromLewis,R.WhenCulturesCollide)Befrankandopen.Gettothepoint.Bemodestandlowkey.Donottalktoofastorinterrupt.Usefirstnames,dresscasuallyandberelaxedaboutprotocolandhierarchy.Eatlunchquickly.2021/7/2314Cultural TipsforFinland(fromLewis,R.WhenCulturesCollide)GiveFinnsphysicalandmentalspace.Bepunctual.Complywithpromises.ListencarefullytowhatFinnssayitsnotmuch,buttheymeanit.Enjoysharedsilences.2021/7/2315Any questions -Biculturalism2021/7/2316V+D+S=RVision of futureDissatisfaction with the current situationKnowledge of the first steps to takeResistance to changeTry to trace every strange action to its underlying values.2021/7/2317