Abstract This paper explains that cultureshock is often an inevitable roadblock that is faced by individuals relocating or studying in a foreign country. Next, the paper describes the six distinct stages most people go through when dealing with culturalshock and discusses strategies for coping with the feelings associated with cultureshock.
What is CultureShock?
Various Stages of CulturalShock First Stage - Honeymoon Period or "Look, They Serve Fish and Chips
Here. Lovely!"
Second Stage - CultureShock or "Ugh...I Hate Fish and Chips!"
Third Stage - Recovery, or "I Don't Mind Fish and Chips So Much"
Fourth Stage - Renewed CultureShock, or "I Take It Back, Fish and
Chips Stink"
Fifth Stage - Breakthrough, or "I Still Don't Like Fish and Chips, But I
Can See Why You Like Them"
Sixth Stage - Re-integration, or "Where Can I Buy Fish and Chips Around
Here?"
Factors Crucial to Intercultural Adjustments
Conclusions
From the Paper "Culture can be defined in a number of different ways and through a myriad of various examples. It is a fluid concept; one that is constantly evolving due to factors such as globalization and the media. Neither every person one encounters nor every country one visits is going to hold fast to the stereotypes typically associated with them. Each person will display their own unique behavior or way of viewing things. However, it is important to understand that culture, as a concept, is something that a person or groups of people are born into. It is a set of norms, values and beliefs that one learns through the process of socialization. Culture, therefore, forms a conceptual lens, through which groups of people see themselves, their country, and the rest of the world."
Abstract This paper discusses the impact that cultural events have on tourism. Specific areas described are Southeast Asia and Middle Eastern nations. It looks at how the local culture impacts tourism and is also impacted by tourism.
From the Paper "Our own cultural heritage is deeply engrained into our psychic beliefs in such a way that we may never fully understand the deep effects that it plays on our everyday lives. This cultural identity is often tested when one ventures outside of this comfort area. This often occurs when an individual travels outside their local area or country. Cultural shock is often the result of this rapid, unknown change."
Abstract This paper discusses a series of conversations the writer recently had with a homeless person. The paper explains how these interactions provided an opportunity for learning about someone else's culture, an opportunity to understand individual as well as cultural differences, an opportunity to enjoy shared experiences, and a chance to grasp the day-to-day exigencies of this individual's life. The paper further explores a number of themes - cultureshock, stereotyping and various theoretical concepts. In conclusion, the paper shows that people who are different from ourselves may seem frightening at first glance, but their humanity becomes more and more undeniable the more we allow ourselves to understand and appreciate the cultures within which they operate.
From the Paper "To begin with, this writer conducted a series of sit-down interviews with a homeless person residing in the local community. Initially, the contact was strictly visual as the writer sought to gain a sense of the man and a sense of what his state of mind was. Not long thereafter, however, a verbal line of communication was opened - largely because I offered to buy him a cup of coffee and because I made it clear to him that his life story was of interest to me. During the course of our conversation at the local Starbucks, I became self-conscious and vaguely uncomfortable - not least of all because a number of people took to staring at the odd couple in their midst."
Abstract This paper discusses the process by which international visitors adapt to a new host culture. The writer explains the four stages of the cultural adjustment process and examines ways that these changes can be made easier.
From the Paper "Many people perceive this process as "culture shock." Culture shock describes the more distinct reactions to the psychological disorientation most people experience when they move for an extended period of time into a culture that is different from their own (University of Iowa, 2003). In many ways, culture shock is the occupational hazard of overseas living through which one has to be willing to go in order to experience other countries and cultures in depth."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that commerce and business are pushing people from different cultures together much more rapidly on a global scale than has ever been true in the past, and this is just accentuating cultureshock. Throughout this assessment, two contrasting examples are provided. The writer first discusses Indian call center employees learning Western dialects and diction to be more accepted. Then the writer examines the story of Silvio Napoli and looks at his many challenges in trying to fit into the Indian approach to doing business. The writer notes these two examples are very topical given the current focus on India. Finally, lessons learned and a short series of observations are provided.
From the Paper "Taking from example one of the many stories in The World Is Flat, Thomas Friedman notes that call center employees in India are taking voice training and diction courses to deliberately sound more westernized to inbound callers from the U.S., U.K., Canada and other English-speaking nations. Experiences of call center representatives who have gone through this training indicate that higher levels of customer satisfaction are achieved and less derogatory comments made about outsourcing in general occur when callers think they are more westernized. Just one of many examples of the dynamics of the Indian culture being influenced by western values and cultural norms, the ongoing training of Indians to sound more like westerners casts an unflattering light on the entire aspect of globalization. The elimination of regional differences in culture to "fit in" globally also highlights how strong ethnocentric behavior influences others, even half a world away, in a matter of minutes on a telephone call. This reaction to the world shrinking in terms of who each of us interact with every day to get things done personally and professionally is driving changes in behavior no government, organization or company can dictate."
Abstract In this essay, the writer presents an analysis of cross-cultural management, based on an article by Tomoko Masumoto entitled 'Learning to 'Do Time' in Japan: A Study of US Interns in Japanese Organizations'. The writer reviews and discusses the article, which presents a theoretical framework for analyzing the impact of U.S.-based interns traveling to work in corporations in Japan. The article specifically focuses on studying how time is perceived differently between the Japanese managers and the U.S. intern counterparts. The writer defines the framework in the article discussed as focusing on how the expectations of time itself vary between the two groups, measures the time taken to adapt and become productive, and also defines how space allocation and use of space correlate to the Japanese perception of time. The writer points out that this shared space and socialization aspect of the study presents a cultureshock to American students, who have long equated status and independence with the relative level of privacy in American and westernized corporations. The writer notes that the study concludes with an analysis of the variation of how the relative level of feedback and its frequency fuel a sense of security on the job or not, and also with an analysis of short-versus long-term orientation on the part of each group.
Outline:
Synopsis
Assessment of the Theoretical Framework
Assessment of the Research Approach
Implications for Individuals Working Multinationally with the Japanese
From the Paper "The work completed by Masumoto has major implications not only for expatriates working in Japan yet for anyone going to work for a Japanese company anywhere in a westernized nation. The vast differences in how space is allocated are diametrically opposed to how western nations view work space given in companies being more of a relative indicator of independence, individuality, achievement and status. In Japan there more of an orientation on arranging working space to speed up the assimilation and socialization process. This is a critical point for anyone joining a Japanese corporation anywhere in the world to keep in mind, as many Japanese corporations continue this practice of using space for collaboration in the U,S, and Europe as well."
This paper discusses the problems of cultureshock and the need for American business to adapt to and to understand foreign cultures in order to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 8 sources, 1991, $ 39.95
From the Paper "As the global marketplace develops, American companies are finding more and more that there is a need for management to have a better understanding of how to do business in foreign environments, how to manage a foreign-born workforce, and how to communicate with foreign customers, workers, and even competitors. American managers have also been noting the success of certain foreign companies and have been asking what elements might be borrowed from these successful efforts and adapted to the American company to make it more competitive. Each of these forces is causing a rethinking of the standard American way of doing business, and a reconsideration of how best to approach different cultures in order to make American business more successful overall. Managers need to understand the role of cultural differences, ... "
Examines role of volunteers as teachers in the Third World. Discusses recruitment, personal and professional standards, training, teaching English, health, books, curriculum, cooperative learning, cultureshock and more.
4,500 words (approx. 18 pages), 21 sources, 1999, $ 135.95
Abstract "The Peace Corps education program is a beacon of light in the international community. Daily, Peace Corps volunteers overcome the challenges of cultureshock, scarce instructional resources, and interpersonal relations to teach a wide range of subjects from English to new housing construction.
From the Paper "The Peace Corps education program is a beacon of light in the international community. Daily, Peace Corps volunteers overcome the challenges of culture shock, scarce instructional resources, and interpersonal relations to teach a wide range of subjects from English to new housing construction. Volunteers insist that they have learned more from their host countries than they themselves have contributed.
The Peace Corps is an agency of the U.S. government. Established in 1961, the Corps has three goals. The first is to provide trained manpower for Third World nations. The second goal is to teach foreign people about American culture, through contact with Americans. And the third goal is to afford volunteers the opportunity to learn about other cultures, again through firsthand contact. The education function of the Peace ..."
Abstract The following discussion evaluates septic shock and its influence on the destruction of cells, tissues, and organs. It is estimated that without proper and rapid treatment for septic shock, the illness may be fatal. The writer points out in this article that the role of the inflammatory response must be considered as a means of identifying the factors that lead to this circumstance.
From the Paper "The illness known as septic shock is one of the most critical problems that patients face in hospitalized settings when their health is compromised by other conditions that they face. There has been a marked increase in the diagnosis of this problem, and the reasons for this increase include new medical procedures, an overall increase in the age of patients, and an increased number of accidents. It is evident that these concepts have played a significant role in the continued growth of septic shock in patients, and there has also been an emergence of organ and tissue damage as a key factor in the development of this illness. In a large majority of cases, septic shock is fatal for those that contract this illness, which places those with this diagnosis at a high risk of mortality."
Abstract An examination of the cultural barriers that exist when people travel abroad and how Americans are specifically sensitive to anything "non-American" when touring. This paper includes useful websites and hints the traveler should explore before embarking on his travels in order to avoid cultureshocks. The paper brings an example of a South American group of students wishing to study in an exchange program.
From the Paper "But, while business travel and vacation trips may be relatively brief, increasing numbers of both businesspeople and students are taking advantage of study- or work-abroad programs and moving into radically different cultures not as temporary tourists, but as semi-permanent residents for weeks, months, or even years at a time. This propensity for packing up and "seeing the world," together with an increased overall global consciousness, is commendable-but it's also not without its own share of hazards which are above and beyond the normal challenges of everyday life in one's native country. "
Abstract This paper discusses Bharati Mukiherjee's story, "The Father" and how it portrays a culture clash between two related Indians, a father and daughter. The paper relates that both characters in the story have two very different ethical standards about procreation and the meaning of fatherhood and that the cultural clash between the father and daughter exists on several levels - generational, gender-based, ethical, and personal.
From the Paper "Babli's father comes from a culture that is a patriarchal culture in terms of its explicitly stated values, for, as Mr. Bhowmick sees it, male authority and wisdom should rule the household. Now the father's daughter will raise her child in a household with no male presence. Of course, this sense of patriarchal dominance is fictional to some degree. Mr. Bhowmick came to the U.S. from Ranchi because his wife, a professional in her own right insisted upon this move. But he still believes the pretence of male dominance should be protected in principle. In fact, because he feels forced to stay in the U.S. due to his wife, seeing his daughter flagrantly deny her need for a man even to father a child, makes him feel more powerless in the face of women in America. According to anthropologist Lalervo Oberg, culture shock arises when suddenly one's sense of certainty is destroyed when one enters a foreign environment. A person undergoing culture shock experiences it as a series of "upsets--breaks in reality because people behave differently" in a new culture and because the shocked individual finds him or herself in unfamiliar circumstances."
Abstract The writer of this paper details the manner in which various values and cultural traditions can impact an individual's or group's beliefs, attitudes and actions with respect to their day-to-day existence. The writer contends and explains how cultural differences affect communication, interaction and actions amongst different people. In an environment where little cultural diversity exists, it is likely that cultural differences will have little or no impact on human relations. This paper also discusses the issue of cultural differences in the workplace. Cultural diversity can lead to conflict as well as collaboration within the workplace, depending on whether or not people are willing to embrace people that are culturally different. This paper examines the impact of cultural diversity in the classroom, where teachers are being asked to become more culturally literate so that they can better address the needs of all their students, rather than the few who fall into one or two categories. This paper also explores the issue of students with varying cultural backgrounds that have different perceptions of learning and communicating and the manner in which their needs are met.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Analysis of Cultural Traditions and Human Relations
Conclusions
References
From the Paper "Cultural differences even impact students in the classroom. More and more teachers are being asked to become more culturally literate so that they can better address the needs of all their students, rather than the few who fall into one or two categories. Students with varying cultural backgrounds have different perceptions of learning and communicating, thus may have a difficult time achieving in a classroom that does not recognize their cultural differences and methods of learning. For students to be successful in a culturally diverse environment, teachers must work to improve communications and the methods they use to teach, to ensure that they are addressing the needs of a diverse population. To understand how cultural differences impact human relations one must also understand what culture is."
A review of the articles "Theories of Culture" by Roger M. Keesing and "Marking Boundaries - Culture as Category Work" - Qualitative Inquiry by Anne Ryen and David Silverman.
Abstract This paper discusses articles by Roger M. Keesing and Anne Ryen and David Silverman on what culture is, and how we study it, and see what is different in one culture, as opposed to a different culture, or in a small aspect of culture. The paper explains that Keesing seems to be more inclined to see culture in dynamic ways, as always changing or developing, or that has to do with thinking processes, where Ryen and Silverman discuss culture in more material terms that can affect how people of different cultures understand each other. The paper also discusses how Keesing looks at cultures as structural systems so that the scholar will look at how a culture or a structure began and how it continues to influence human life. The writer believes that Ryen and Silverman seem more tied up in how an outsider looks at a culture, the dynamics of importance of what go on between human beings, as individuals, as opposed to the cultural system that Keesing tried to understand. The writer concludes that both articles manage to get across the care that must be taken when researching cultures that are not one's own, but the writer feels that Keesing's work is still not out-dated.
Outline:
Introduction
Theories of Culture The Human Factor
Last Remarks
From the Paper "A culture may adapt because new technology or kinds of organization have come along, or it may change so that a people survive, as in cultures that begin to conserve something so that they can survive in their environment. A desert people, for instance, may show a culture that is protective of water, does not waste water, or whose art shows themes of happiness as the coming of the rain, or safely getting to a place where water is available. Keesing then begins to look at ideational theories of culture that have to do with cognitive systems and how people decide what is special, appealing or what must be done, as all can influence culture. (1974:77f)."
Abstract The question, What is popular culture and how does it relate to Eastern and Western societies? is an apparently simple query that conceals a complex range of social cultural and economic aspects. This essay examines this question, beginning with a provisional definition of popular culture and an attempt to distinguish it from other cultural forms such as high culture and mass culture. The thesis is argued that popular culture is, in its fundamental elements, a commercial culture that is dependent to an extraordinary degree upon the mass media as a technological vehicle for its messages and products.
Abstract The paper states that it is not complicated to find some globalized places such as airline terminals, international hotels or CNN business news revealing the effects of globalization and its repercussions on our understanding of culture in the modern world. The paper relates that through the growing of global interconnections and the processes of ideas and global goods crossing national borders, cultures fuse across the globe. The paper also discusses the presence of English as an international language, and a homogenization of culture. The paper confirms that, culture is a set of values and practices characterized by its particularity, which nevertheless needs universal criteria as a reference to justify this particularity. It is also crucial to define culture as an "encompassing" concept and to keep in mind that it is difficult to know what is cultural.
From the Paper "In addition, a shared global culture is also relevant as a global dissemination of an American or Western culture. Indeed the processes of globalization are providing fuel for a cultural imperialism, that is to say a global culture liable to be a hegemonic culture. Thus the assertion of a shared global culture seems to be linked to what Friedman describes as "the increasing hegemony of particular central cultures, the diffusion of American values, consumers goods and lifestyles" (Friedman, 1994: 195). The diffusion of dominant standard icons and references such as MacDonald's, Coca-Cola leads to think about an obvious Americanization. In a word, cultures are both confronted by a global dominance of the western culture and by the practices of global capitalism. The result is probably a decrease of cultural differences: a process which undeniably worked to the advantage of the USA and others Western nations. A striking example of this tendency of cultural imperialism is the United Nations Educations Scientific and Cultural Organization's call for a "new world information and communication order" and its politics on global culture."
