The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Living and studying in a multicultural community Definition of culture Definition of culture Cultural differences Cultural differences Intercultural communication Intercultural communication Cultural shock Cultural shock Summary Summary

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Definition of culture Hundreds of different definitions. software of the mind that guides us in our daily interactions (Hofstede)‏ software of the mind that guides us in our daily interactions (Hofstede)‏ collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group of people from another collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group of people from another system of knowledge shared by a realtively large group of people system of knowledge shared by a realtively large group of people totality of assumptions, values and norms that are shared by a group of people, influence the behaviour, by reference to which we describe ourselves totality of assumptions, values and norms that are shared by a group of people, influence the behaviour, by reference to which we describe ourselves

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Definition of culture Iceberg model of culture (Martinelli)‏ There is much more below the surface that we may not even be aware of.

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Definition of culture Sense of belonging on different levels: geographical geographical religious religious corporate corporate other groups other groups various subcultures various subcultures

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Definition of culture Characteristics of culture: is not inherent but learnt is not inherent but learnt is for large parts enacted subconsciously is for large parts enacted subconsciously is rooted in deep-seated beliefs (common sense)‏ is rooted in deep-seated beliefs (common sense)‏ is the basis for how we see ourselves and others and how others see us is the basis for how we see ourselves and others and how others see us is complex is complex everybody is member of different cultures everybody is member of different cultures

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Cultural differences People are different in a variety of ways: looking at things looking at things expressing personality expressing personality religion religion education education home home and much much more and much much more

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Intercultural communication Own behaviour is taken as a norm. Everything that diverts from the norm is interpreted negatively. Focus on: how people from different cultural backgrounds interact how people from different cultural backgrounds interact how misunderstanding and barriers to communication can be avoided how misunderstanding and barriers to communication can be avoided

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Intercultural communication Prerequisites to successful intercultural communication: basic values and norms are influenced by our culture basic values and norms are influenced by our culture basic values and norms of people from other cultures might be different from ours basic values and norms of people from other cultures might be different from ours use this awarness to overcome communication barriers use this awarness to overcome communication barriers

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Cultural shock Psychological reaction to a new environment that is culturally different than the familiar one. (Grzymala-Moszczynska)‏ Students who are going abroad.

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Cultural shock Phases: honey moon honey moon confrontation confrontation separation => exact cultural shock separation => exact cultural shock stability – acculturation stability – acculturation culture competence culture competence return shock return shock

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Cultural shock Two models: „U” model „W” model „U” model „W” model time well-being

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Cultural shock Symptoms: health condition worsen health condition worsen financial problems arisen financial problems arisen problems with adjusting to a new environment problems with adjusting to a new environment loneliness loneliness homesick homesick escape in alcohol / drugs escape in alcohol / drugs

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Cultural shock How to deal with it? prepare to it prepare to it look for information about a new place and a new culture look for information about a new place and a new culture have a good command of foreign language have a good command of foreign language be optimist be optimist

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland Summary If we want to communicate more effectively with people from other cultures, with people from other cultures, we need to look below the surface, at the bare of the iceberg. There is much more below the surface that we may not even be aware of. that we may not even be aware of.

The Baltic University’2007 Joanna Dynek, TUL, Poland The end! Thank you for your attention! Joanna Dynek Technical University of Lodz