LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY CAVITE

Culture Shock: A Study of the Lived Experiences of Accountancy, Business and

Management Students that Transferred from

Public School to Private School

Canlas, Dana Kirsten P.

De Leon, Walter John D.

Escallar, Sean Michael D.

Hernandez, Joshua C.

Lelis, Kathleen T.

Mendoza, Nica Ailin R.

Roberto, Allie Mae Aubrey A.

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

K-12 program was recently implemented in the Philippines, therefore Filipinos

can be globally competitive. Some of the schools does not offer Senior High School

resulting to congestion of K-12 accredited schools. Most of the accredited schools were

private and they offer voucher to help students those from public schools in their

finances, for them, to driven transfer in it. It will somehow cause them huge challenges

like culture shock and need them to cope up with. According to a thesis in Eastern

Michigan University (2005), “newcomers to a new culture may experience both physical

and psychological reactions”.

The researchers were encouraged and had an opportunity to conduct a research

regarding the said problems, specifically the ABM students in Lyceum of the Philippines

University-Cavite. The main objective of this study is to identify the reasons of culture

shock and give notice on the strategies that a student can do in dealing with culture shock

when transferred from public school to a private school.

Statement of the Problem

Dealing with culture shock could be difficult for some students especially when

they haven't experienced it before. The researchers decided to take advantage of this

phenomenon to help students in this problem. Thus, resulted into different problems that

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might be answered at the end of the research. The main problem is that the researchers

need to find out what can be the possible strategies to overcome culture shock. Moreover,

there are three specific problems that came up from the given major problem.

The researchers will look for answers that may help to solve the following

research questions:

Major Problem: What are the strategies to overcome the culture shock experienced by

Accountancy, Business and Management students from public to private school?

Minor problem:

1. How do ABM students respond to culture shock?

2. What are the common preparatory measures done by transferees from public

enlist into a private school?

3. How do ABM transferee students from public to private prepare themselves in a

new environment?

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Theoretical Framework

Input Process Output

 The reasons why  Determine the  Overcoming

culture shock is behavior of the Culture Shock for
experienced by student from other Accountancy,
Grade 11 people Business and
Accountancy,  Interview the Management
Business and participants students
Management  Analyzing the data  Increase of
students, who are using simple confidence
transferee from descriptive  Increase in terms
public school statistical method of interaction with
their environment

The researchers will conduct a study on why Grade 11 Accountancy, Business

and Management students in Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite, who are

transferee from public school, experiences culture shock. Furthermore, the researchers

will attain data through conducting interviews to the respondents. Moreover, the

researchers will interpret the data gathered using a descriptive statistical method in order

to come up with a conclusion for what causes the respondents to experience culture

shock. Additionally, the researchers will give an insight to the readers on how to be able

to cope up with the new environment.

Scope and Delimitation

The research will focus on the reasons why culture shock is experienced and how

the grade 11 students of Accountancy, Business and Management who transferred in

Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite from public school cope up with culture

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shock. This study focuses on the culture shock mainly happens and experiences by the

students when they transfer to different school. Basically, the researchers want to know if

there is significant effect to the students who transfer from public school to Lyceum of

the Philippines University-Cavite.

The respondents of this study are the students who transfer from public school to

Lyceum University of the Philippines–Cavite. Old students and transferee from other

private school are not included as respondents. The parameter of the locale is within the

University of Cavite only. Other branches of Lyceum are not part of the study.

Significance of the Study

The findings of the study may provide awareness to everyone on how can they

adapt when transferred to a different set of community. The study could help in the

improvement of the performance of every student especially those who came from public

schools. Based on the study of Eastern Michigan University about culture shock, “is to

examine the culture shock experienced by the students in order to get a better

understanding of the issues involved in this process and be able to find ways to respond

the needs of those affected”.

The findings of this research will be a great benefit, specifically, to the following:

Students. In order for the students to easily cope up in their new environment, this

study could enlighten and give background on what life they would possibly experience

when they decide to transfer from public school to a private school and vice versa. In this
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way will help the students somehow overcome culture shock.

Parents. The result of the research may help the parents of every student in such a

way of having a background of what could be the life and effect in their child if they

transfer them in a private school and in what way they can help their child. This can

lessen as well the unawareness of themselves when it comes on things their child dealing

with.

Teachers. This study may help the teachers in a way that this would be their guide

to know how they will approach and cope up with their transferee students from public

school in order for the students to be comfortable with the new environment they have

been experiencing.

Other researchers. This study will provide another information and ideas to other

researchers who wants to have a study regarding this matter.

Definition of Terms

ABM Students- the respondents of the researchers (Accountancy, Business and

Management).

Culture Shock- a feeling of confusion, doubt, or nervousness caused by switching places

that are very different to what you are used to.

K-12 program- the K-12 program covers Kindergarten up to 12 years of basic education

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(six years of primary education, 4 years of Junior High School, and another 2 years for

Senior High School). This program helps the students to master their chosen field or

track.

Public Schools- schools that does not offer Senior High School programs.

Voucher- enables students to claim a “discount” or a deduction from the cost of tuition

and other fees charged by a non-DepEd SHS where he or she will enroll.

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CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter presents a review of relevant literature, studies and concepts essential

to the development of the conceptual framework and the direction of the study.

Synthesis

Transferring of students to another school or environment will somehow cause

them huge challenges like culture shock and the need to cope up with the changes. For

many, culture is challenging to understand and cultural transformation is an even more

difficult task because during this process of cultural transformation, misunderstandings

may occur (Jibreel, 2015). This chapter will provide a background upon the phenomenon

of culture shock and the reasons why it is experienced by transfer students. It also

includes the different strategies that may use in order for the students to deal effectively

with culture shock. Furthermore, in this chapter, the theses, articles, and journals of

authors and researchers are showed to provide an overview about what can be the

findings of this present study.

Related Literature

As stated by Thomas (n.d.), "culture shock may be inevitable but can be

overcome". Culture shock will be experienced by the student, it may not be right away

but sooner or later it will happen. Culture shock, as discussed by him, is a sudden loss of

everything familiar which result to confusion and difficulty in adjusting to a new place or

environment. As enumerated by Thomas, there are three important things to remember

about culture shock: it is not unusual; it will not last; and, support is everywhere.

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Additionally, as said by Shoebottom (1996), "students who are torn between two

cultures may be troubled by fears of losing their identity”. As the researchers goes deeper

about the effects of culture shock this statement from an article briefly explained one of

the possible causes of culture shock that might happen to students. Conforming to

Frankfurt International School, Shoebottom (1996), "the chance to live and study in a

new culture is a privilege which is not given to everyone”. Even though there may be

challenges that a student will face in his new environment there are still positive sides

that everyone should look at which can lead to overcoming culture shock.

On the other hand, in the journal of Xia (2009) mentioned that, “when people

encounter a new culture and experience culture shock, change and unfamiliarity

influences their own psychological adjustment and participation in a cultural

environment”. The negative impact of culture shock on individual psychology often

includes a large and diverse set of symptoms. Although not everyone will experience all

the symptoms, almost all people will experience some parts. Culture shock has negative

impacts on people, especially to the ones who are experiencing it.

Furthermore, Furnham (2012) added that, “going to ‘strange places’ and losing

the power of easy communication can disrupt self-identity, world views and indeed all

systems of acting, feeling and thinking”. There are long lists of the symptoms of culture

shock that include cognitive, emotional, physiological and other reactions. Also,

according to his article, he stated that many researchers have attempted to predict the

factors that why individuals suffer from culture shock. There are a lot of possible factors

why culture shock is experienced, but the researchers will try to narrow it down to the

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common factors.

In addition, the findings of Wu et al. (2015) in their research article states that,

“they have to deal with the people, society, school, psychological status, and behavioral

changes in order to adapt to the new environment”. Even though they experienced culture

shock, students are motivated by these challenges to develop strategies to solve problems.

The adjustment and adaptation really takes time and effort, and need a lot of support from

different aspects.

More importantly, Keller, (2014) gave tips on how to prevent or minimize the

effects of culture shock. She said that, "before you go, inform yourself about the place

you will be going to for example by reading books, looking up information on the

internet, talking to students or other to that place and etc.”. Keller (2014) explained that,

in this way you can your experience and even prevent culture shock. This study is

connected to our present study in a way how to decrease the effect and cope with culture

shock. As said in this related literature, one must know the information about the place

you are going to. It is not only preventing or diminishing the impact culture shock but it

also enhances your social interaction with other people.

One article also showed strategies on how to cope up with culture shock. It

explained that students might be exposed to many new customs, habits and ideas. One tip

gave by the author is to be patient (Texas: The University of Texas at Austin, n.d). Be

patient because you cannot realize the culture of your environment easily it requires a lot

of understanding before a person realize or internalize his/her surroundings. This study is

connected to our current study because it explains the strategy clearly and these strategies

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can also help students to overcome or cope up with culture shock. As said in the example

above, A student must be patient to better understand their environment.

In general, these academic texts are related to our present study in a way that it

tackled what culture shock is, who may experience it and how to overcome it. Also,

culture shock is inevitable, it may not be experienced right away but sooner or later it will

happen. Meanwhile, in most cases, the influence of culture shock on individuals has

always been connected to negative psychological emotions. However, culture shock is

not always related to negative effects, it also has some positive effects.

Related Studies

Culture shock as defined by the study of Baier (2005), it is “the consequence of

strain and anxiety resulting from contact with a new culture and the feelings of loss,

confusion, and impotence, which are due to loss of accustomed cultural cues and social

rules”. The study of Baier (2005) is to examine the culture shock experienced by the

students in order to get a better understanding about this issue. Moreover, Baier (2005)

concluded that, “there is a relation between perception of cultural differences

(adjustment) and experience of culture shock (cultural match)”.

Meanwhile, a study of Pelling (2000) is focused on the main factors which

contribute to culture shock of students. The main objective of the study is to determine

the three main factors and these are: cultural differences and misunderstanding; the

language and fear of contact; and, societal differences. Although, he analyzed that there

are different factors that can contribute to culture shock but these were the main answers

of the respondents. In the same way, the researchers aim that the reasons of why culture

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shock is experienced by the students will be determined to this present study.

On the other hand, according to Jibreel (2015), “coming to a new culture can be

very distressing which can harm an individual’s mental health due to the cultural shock”.

The discomfort caused by cultural differences might not always be noticeable among

students. Also, some of the misconceptions that others have about certain cultures could

also be the root of the misunderstanding. Identifying what are the possible causes culture

shock is experienced will somehow provide awareness to everyone on how can they

adapt when transferred to a different set of community.

The study conducted by the said researchers (Baier, Pelling, and Jibreel) is related

to the present study because the former researches and the present study focus on the

reasons of having culture shock of students. In fact, the findings of the researchers have

determined the main factors why culture shock is experienced by the students

Furthermore, the researchers will able to predict what would be the findings of the

present study and somehow be a guide to the students experiencing culture shock.

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REFERENCES

Baier, S. T. (2005). International students: Culture shock and adaptation to the U.S.
culture. Retrieved from http://commons.emich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1895&context=theses

Texas: The University of Texas at Austin (n.d.). Cultural Adjustment: A Guide for
International Students. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://cmhc.utexas.edu/cultureadjustment.html

Furnham, A. (2010). Culture Shock: Literature Review, Personal Statement and

Relevance for the South Pacific. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 4(02), 87-94.
doi:10.1375/prp.4.2.87
.
Jibreel, Z. (2015). Cultural identity and the challenges international students encounter.
Retrieved from http://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1022&context=engl_etds

Keller, M. (2014). ‘Culture Shock’ – How to Deal with the Challenges of Studying
Abroad. ETH zurich. Retrieved from
https://www.ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/associates/students/studium/auswaerts-
studieren/culture-shock_outgoing.pdf.

Pelling, A. C. (2000). Culture shock of international students in Canada. Retrieved from

https://www.uleth.ca/dspace/bitstream/handle/10133/960/Pelling_Andrew_C.pdf?
sequence=1

Shoebottom, P. (n.d.). ESL students and culture/school shock. Retrieved from

http://esl.fis.edu/teachers/support/shock.htm

Thomas, P. (n.d.). Understanding Culture Shock. Retrieved from

https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/international-students/articles/campus-life-
culture-shock/understanding-culture-shock/

Wu, H., Garza, E., & Guzman, N. (2015). International Student’s Challenge and
Adjustment to College. Education Research International. Retrieved from
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/202753

Xia, J. (2009). Analysis of Impact of Culture Shock on Individual Psychology, 1 (2).

(2009). Retrieved from www.ccsenet.org/journal.htm.

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