A new environment deprives us of the familiar We dont know how to react to new situations

a mixture of uncertainty, fear, homesickness

Person values going abroad Has high expectations Different is good!

Person values going abroad Has high expectations Different is good! The HONEYMOON phase!

New situation is harder than expected Person spends a lot of energy handling new challenges tired at the end of the day.

Part of problem is limited language ability Foreigner tries to interpret meanings based on home culture Unable to predict what people will do
Foreign friends help early on, but hurt overall adaptation to culture

 Confusion: the

new culture doesnt make

sense Uncertainty about how to react to people Loss of Confidence Stress Fear of something going wrong Loneliness Tired of the new

 Complaining Idealizing

about new culture:

things are bad here

home:

everything is better back home

we never have these problems

Them/

us mentality: dividing world into two

camps Right/ wrong mentality Homesick for family, friends, food, language
Spending most time with foreign friends, food, movies,

Facebook

 EXTREME

SYMPTOMS Anger at new country Rudeness toward people Withdrawal from relationships and activities Depression
Going

home

 Before

Expect it

Learn about the culture Lonely Planet: Taxis in Varanasi, Kolkata

During

Recognize it
It is normal the adjustment process It is temporary Laugh at yourself: It is okay to make mistakes Dont withdraw Take an occasional break

 ACCEPTANCE:

The person:

Learns more language and customs

Can accomplish many daily tasks

Gains understanding of why things are as they are, Builds trust relationships with some nationals Accepts similarities / differences of new culture
Accept does not have to mean agree

1.

Have a positive, open attitude

1. 2.

Have a positive, open attitude Re-set your expectations:

1. What is normal in the culture

1. 2. 3.

Have a positive, open attitude Re-set your expectations Find a Bi-cultural Bridge Friend (BBF)

 The

person adapts:

Greater understanding of the culture

Greater fluency in using language and customs
Ability to switch back and forth between cultures and languages

Accepts, values, prefers many aspects of new culture Personal identity begins to shift from me/ them to us

Can

be a good resource to new foreigners

 Read the

Homecoming pages 337-339 and answer questions 1,2