The Rotary Youth Exchange Experience: Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock NAYEN Conference 2010 Dennis White, Ph.D.

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Culture An integrated system of learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of any given society. It refers to the total way of life, including how people think, feel and behave.

Metaphorically, culture is the lens through which we view the world.

You can’t trust your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. Mark Twain

The Cultural Iceberg 1/8 th above the surface 7/8 th s below the surface Conscious behaviors Unconscious beliefs and values

When we think we know what we are seeing or hearing, it is very easy to make a mistake, especially in language.

What do they mean? You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid. Japanese hotel I slaughter myself twice daily. Israeli butcher Ladies, leave your clothes here and have a wonderful time. French laundry

Dr. No We don’t want a doctor Titanic Ship Outta Luck!

At first we will be dependent upon translators – sometimes a risky business

Sometimes, it’s just pronunciation

Ethnocentrism: The universal tendency for any culture to see its own values and practices as natural and correct.

Ethnocentrism: All cultures are ethnocentric - and must be to impart their values to their members.

I don’t feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves. John Wayne

“ The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being like you. They are unique manifestations of the human spirit ”. Wade Davis

In James Hiltons’ novel, Lost Horizon, An American stranded in Shangri-la says to his Tibetan rescuer: “I want to get back to civilization as soon as possible.” The Tibetan’s reply: “Are you so very certain that you are away from it?”

Ethnorelativism: The acquired ability to see many values and behaviors as cultural rather than universal.

Ethnorelativism: This approach attempts to understand values and behaviors from the point of view of that culture, rather than as right or wrong.

Ethnorelativism: It assumes that one ’ s own culture is no more central to describing and evaluating reality than any other - regardless of one ’ s strongly held preferences

“I see America through a sharper lens - both her strengths and her weaknesses and I am tired of people who uncritically accept everything American as right.” American Exchange Student

Ethnocentrism is similar to egocentrism. Ethnorelativism is similar to empathy.

Our own culture, or sub-culture, comes to us as naturally and unconsciously as our handedness. We generally don’t think about what hand we will use to write our names. Changing our cultural point of view is about as hard as changing our handedness. Both are possible, but neither is easy.

The Golden Rule Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

The Platinum Rule Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.

Real life examples: Watching the moon landing in Iranian theatres Holding hands

In a new culture everything is harder

Developing cultural sensitivity and competence requires moving from Ethnocentrism to Ethnorelativism One World or Many.doc

Developing Intercultural Sensitivity The Experience of Difference Denial Defense Minimization Ethnocentric StagesEthnorelative Stages Acceptance Adaptation Integration Model developed by Dr.. Milton Bennett, Portland State University

Culture Shock The profound sense of disorientation and discomfort that comes with extended travel or living in a foreign culture markedly different from one’s own. Culture Shock.doc

Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and euphoria Irritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalism The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc

Culture Shock Cycle Pre-Departure Months Normal Level of Feelings Return …... Rotary Youth Exchange Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls

Culture Shock Cycle Pre-Departure Months Normal Level of Feelings Return …... Rotary Youth Exchange Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls

Normal Distribution of Any Cultural Trait Frequency Amount of Trait Example: Individualism vs. Group Orientation A typical student

Comparing Two Cultures ( on any given trait) In this example, there is some overlap, but the two cultures are mostly different

After Adaptation Culture Shock

Returning To Home Culture

Reverse Culture Shock

Returning To Home Culture Severe Reverse Culture Shock

Most people anticipate some degree of culture shock. Very few people believe they will experience reverse culture shock.

Reverse Culture Shock (Re-entry Shock) The often unexpected and difficult period of disorientation and readjustment experienced after returning to one’s own culture after an extended period of living abroad. So You Think You're Home Now.doc

The Stages of Reverse Culture Shock are almost the same as those of Culture Shock Initial Euphoria (may be very brief or not happen at all) Irritability and Negativism ( may be very lengthy) Gradual Adaptation True Bi-Culturalism

Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock are not just unpleasant side effects of international living. They are the necessary ingredients that bring about quality intercultural education.

We can prepare for both forms of culture shock by: Anticipating CS and RCS. “Normalizing” these phenomena. Remembering that “compost happens”. Remembering that, as new depths of understanding develop, new waves of culture shock emerge.

“Culture shock pushes me out of my comfort zone” Under pressure, we tend to fall back on what is comfortable, habitual, and unconscious. Even when we know how to follow a cultural practice, and can do it, the tendency is to fall back.

What is the best advice to give an exchange student?

Therefore, culture shock is not a one- time phenomenon. Rather, it is a repetitive process of increasingly subtle immersion into a culture. It often involves taking two steps forward and one step back.

Developing Intercultural Sensitivity Denial Defense Minimization Ethnocentric StagesEthnorelative Stages Acceptance Adaptation Integration Successive cycles of awareness The Experience of Difference

The key to developing cultural competence is to understand the experience of difference Understanding what the difference means within the context of that culture. Understanding our own reactions to the experience of difference.

In empathy, there is a risk of becoming so skilled at understanding someone else’s point of view, that one’s own beliefs are not as firm.

In ethnorelativism, the risk is the same. One may find deeply ingrained beliefs are not as firmly held.

“I love my country more now than ever, but I am critical of those who blindly accept everything American as the best, especially when they have never been out of the country.” American Peace Corps Volunteer

How I Have Changed? How Have I Changed.doc How Have I Changed.doc An exercise using 44 statements that have often been identified by exchange students as significant changes from the experience.

How I Have Changed One student’s response My youth exchange year was one of incredible change and growth for me. In addition to seeing so much of the rest of the world, and making such wonderful friends, I changed in ways I never knew were possible.

How I Have Changed One student’s response I am more confident and positive when meeting new people. I have a greater ability to empathize with others and to put myself in their place when making judgments. I have greater willingness to take on new roles and tasks.

How I Have Changed One student’s response I have more ability to see myself objectively, in a more realistic context. I understand more fully my own strengths and weaknesses. I am more tolerant of ambiguous situations and more open to differing interpretations of them. I feel greater respect and appreciation for my family.

How I Have Changed One student’s response And most of all, I feel more surely that common bonds unite all human beings. Thank you, Rotary for the best year of my life.

You will experience culture shock – or at least I hope you do. The trick, and the real learning will be accepting and adapting. And I wish you the best of luck

Dennis White, Ph.D. 207 S. 4th Ave. Sturgeon Bay, WI Telephone Fax For more information, visit