by Danielle Bergez, Academic Liaison for International Student Support, Wilmington University Culturally Speaking is a monthly newsletter designed to help college instructors who are working with international students, but who have not been ESL or ELL trained. Sometimes, instructors are not certain how home cultures are impacting classroom performance in the US, and this newsletter seeks to address those gaps in instructor knowledge.
by Danielle Bergez, Academic Liaison for International Student Support, Wilmington University Culturally Speaking is a monthly newsletter designed to help college instructors who are working with international students, but who have not been ESL or ELL trained. Sometimes, instructors are not certain how home cultures are impacting classroom performance in the US, and this newsletter seeks to address those gaps in instructor knowledge.
by Danielle Bergez, Academic Liaison for International Student Support, Wilmington University Culturally Speaking is a monthly newsletter designed to help college instructors who are working with international students, but who have not been ESL or ELL trained. Sometimes, instructors are not certain how home cultures are impacting classroom performance in the US, and this newsletter seeks to address those gaps in instructor knowledge.
Speaking A NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO EDUCATIONAL, LINGUISTIC, AND CULTURAL TOPICS JULY 2016
The Roller Coaster of Acculturation
It has its ups. It has its This process has been studied Potential Signs of Culture downs. Few symbols fit as and experienced by a multi- Shock: appropriately as a roller coast- tude of people around the er to the process of adjusting world. to a new culture. Anxiety The stages have been broken Defined, acculturation is the down in various ways, Depression process by which people mi- but the most commonly Isolation grate to and learn a culture identified (and predicta- that is different from their ble) stages follow: Fatigue own (Heine, 2012, p. 386). Illness
During the initial stage of accultura- Eventually the newness of experi- Usually people will move through tion, the newcomer is excited about ence wears off and newcomers grad- culture shock to the next phase the differences he/she experiences ually stop enjoying the differences. which is known as adjustment. and finds them interesting and ap- pealing, rather than frustrating. Sometimes the realization that ones Adjustment happens gradually, often language skills are not sufficient for over the course of years. People start For this reason, this period has been the purposes of the visit/move can to feel better and find confidence in aptly named the honeymoon stage. usher this stage in a bit faster. the knowledge that they are able to solve problems. Many people who travel to another Known as culture shock, this phase country often have this feeling and can last several months to several Usually they will have been in the leave with positive feelings about years. Homesickness sets in and new culture long enough to develop international travel, as most trips individuals might feel depressed, friendships, improve language skills, that people take are too short to angry, resentful, and helpless. and become interested in local exceed the honeymoon stage. events/news. Depending upon an individuals personality and circumstances, he/ Most people report an awareness that she may make the decision to return their thinking has changed in some to the home country. way that reflects the local norms.
Reference: Heine, S.J. (2012). Cultural psychology (2nd ed.). New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Newsletter created by: Danielle Bergez, Academic Liaison for International Student Support, danielle.d.bergez@wilmu.edu PAGE 2 CULTURALLY SPEAKING
Important Points to Remember
The stages of acculturation can vary in length, depending on a variety of factors. The boundaries of each stage are not fixed. An individual may seem to be moving out of the culture shock phase and then encounter an experience that seems to pull him/her back. Others can be empathetic and supportive of an individual going through culture shock, but they cannot prevent someone from experiencing this stage.
Advice for Dealing with Culture Shock
Learn about the stages of accul- Do not isolate yourself! It is im- Refrain from judgement and try turation before moving. Know- portant to continue to try to make to cultivate curiosity. When ing that the feelings you experi- connections with friends and with things are done differently, there ence are normal can relieve some the community. Think before is probably a reason. Trying to anxiety. you start your experience about learn what that reason is will help how you will try to get involved dissipate the negativity. Take care of your health. Bother- in your new environment. some colds and aches/pains can sometimes come along with the Set up a routine of activities so period of culture shock. Staying that your schedule starts to feel active and eating properly will familiar, thus lending a sense of help with stress and stress-related comfort. illness.
Advice for Helping Someone Experiencing Culture Shock
If you know someone who has Try to remember that frustration to foster a friendly, supportive recently arrived from another and a short temper can be a sign environment. country, share the tips above with that someone is going through him/her. culture shock. Getting angry in reply will not help the situation. If someone you know from an- other country suddenly starts Sometimes a friendly smile and acting more withdrawn, make an genuine interest in another person effort to draw him/her out in can do wonders to change his/her conversation or in an activity. day. Encourage your acquaintance to Try going out of your way to be talk about what aspects of life in welcoming to anyone who is new the US are bothering him/her. to the campus. A minute or two Its likely you can shed some light reflecting on how you would feel in on why things are done a certain a similar situation will be beneficial way. in helping you to think about how
Newsletter created by: Danielle Bergez, Academic Liaison for International Student Support, danielle.d.bergez@wilmu.edu
