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

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.

Culture Shock 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. 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.docCulture Shock.doc The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc Culture Shock.doc The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc Culture Shock.docThe Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc

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 Mark Twain

What is culture?What is 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.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.

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

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

The most common ethnocentric assumption is that we can translate literally from one language to another, which leads to both humorous and serious mistakes.

What do they mean? In a Bangkok dry cleaner's: Drop your trousers here for best results. In a Norwegian cocktail lounge: Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar.

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

In Mexico it was translated as “The Rebel Novice Nun” The Sound of Music In the Czech Republic it was translated as “Santa Is A Pervert” Bad Santa In China it was translated as “One Night, Big Belly” Knocked Up In Venezuela it was translated as “Vaselina” Grease

Advertising translations: In China, Pepsi’s slogan “come alive with Pepsi” became “Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead”. In Latin America Chevrolet’s new car the “Nova” Translated into Spanish as “No Va” (doesn’t go) And my favorite, the Swedish maker of the vacuum Electrolux came up with the American slogan…

“Nothing sucks like Electrolux!”

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

Sometimes, even when we are trying, pronunciation leads to problems! Sometimes, even when we are trying, pronunciation leads to problems!

What is Ethnocentrism?What is Ethnocentrism? The universal tendency for any culture to see its own values and practices as natural and correct.The universal tendency for any culture to see its own values and practices as natural and correct. What is Ethnorelativism?What is Ethnorelativism? The acquired (learned) ability to see many values and behaviors as cultural rather than universal. Not right, not wrong, just different.The acquired (learned) ability to see many values and behaviors as cultural rather than universal. Not right, not wrong, just different. One World or Many.docOne World or Many.doc One World or Many.doc One World or Many.doc

In a new culture everything is harder

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. 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.

Handwriting exercise

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

Advice often mistakenly given to American Outbound students (from an ethnocentric point of view): Just be yourself!

Consider the new culture to be an iceberg

You are the Titanic!!! (Ship Outta Luck!) (Ship Outta Luck!)

“Culture Shock takes me outside my comfort zone.” “Culture Shock takes me outside my comfort zone.” Exchange student journal, 2 months

Personal Examples Holding handsHolding hands Crossing the streetCrossing the street Uneven floor surfacesUneven floor surfaces

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

Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalismIntegration and bi-culturalism Culture Shock.docCulture Shock.doc Culture Shock.doc Culture Shock.doc The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.docThe Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc

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

Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalismIntegration and bi-culturalism

Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalismIntegration and bi-culturalism

Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalismIntegration and bi-culturalism

Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalismIntegration and bi-culturalism

Examples of Initial Enthusiasm and Excitement Trying any food (once!)?Trying any food (once!)? Saying “yes” to almost any suggested activitySaying “yes” to almost any suggested activity Wanting to go and see as many places as possibleWanting to go and see as many places as possible Finding many similarities with things back homeFinding many similarities with things back home Politely and pleasantly smiling and saying “yes” whether you understand or notPolitely and pleasantly smiling and saying “yes” whether you understand or not Taking lots of picturesTaking lots of pictures Frequently sharing your new and exciting experiences back homeFrequently sharing your new and exciting experiences back home

Examples of Irritability and Negativism Why don’t they ever hug or touch one another?Why don’t they ever hug or touch one another? Why do they always hug and touch one another?Why do they always hug and touch one another? Why don’t they make their street signs easier to read?Why don’t they make their street signs easier to read?

Examples of Irritability and Negativism If they mean “no” why don’t they say “no”?If they mean “no” why don’t they say “no”? Why don’t they just tell me what something costs?Why don’t they just tell me what something costs? Why can’t anyone stand in line?Why can’t anyone stand in line? Why do they drive so fast?Why do they drive so fast? Forcing a smile with clenched teeth when you don’t understand what is going on.Forcing a smile with clenched teeth when you don’t understand what is going on. Complaining about your discomfort to sympathetic people back home, or other inbounds in countryComplaining about your discomfort to sympathetic people back home, or other inbounds in country WithdrawingWithdrawing

If the easiest response to the Irritability and negativism stage is to find comfort with other Inbounds or electronically with friends and family at home, the student may get stuck going back and forth from stage one to two, back and forth

Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and excitement Initial enthusiasm and excitement Irritability and negativism Irritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptation Gradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalism Integration and bi-culturalism

Examples of Gradual Adjustment and Adaptation Learning the language.Learning the language. Finding yourself dreaming in the host language.Finding yourself dreaming in the host language. Finding yourself unable to precisely explain a concept you have learned to someone back home using English.Finding yourself unable to precisely explain a concept you have learned to someone back home using English. Insisting people speak to you in the host language rather than EnglishInsisting people speak to you in the host language rather than English Going to host parents and local Rotarians with problems rather than people back home.Going to host parents and local Rotarians with problems rather than people back home. Speaking with other Inbounds in the host language rather than EnglishSpeaking with other Inbounds in the host language rather than English Becoming involved in school or community activitiesBecoming involved in school or community activities

Enculturation: Enculturation: The successful adoption of the behavior patterns and customs The successful adoption of the behavior patterns and customs of the surrounding culture. of the surrounding culture. (also called acculturation, immersion, assimilation, adaptation) (also called acculturation, immersion, assimilation, adaptation)

Examples of Integration and Bi-Culturalism Not having to translate in your head first.Not having to translate in your head first. Traveling across town by bus, making a purchase, meeting friends in the host language and no one asks “where are you from”?Traveling across town by bus, making a purchase, meeting friends in the host language and no one asks “where are you from”? Engaging in host culture practices without thinking:Engaging in host culture practices without thinking: - Eating with fingers, or a knife and fork or chop sticks - Standing close, or distant, in line with host customs and feeling comfortable. feeling comfortable. Accepting and appreciating fundamentally different cultural values as just that – different not right or wrong.Accepting and appreciating fundamentally different cultural values as just that – different not right or wrong. Telling people back home – I’m not ready – you can’t make me come back!Telling people back home – I’m not ready – you can’t make me come back!

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

What are the Stages of Culture Shock? Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalismIntegration and bi-culturalism

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. 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.docSo You Think You're Home Now.doc So You Think You're Home Now.doc So You Think You're Home Now.doc Going Home.docGoing Home.doc Going Home.doc Going Home.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)Initial Euphoria (may be very brief or not happen at all) Irritability and Negativism ( may be very lengthy)Irritability and Negativism ( may be very lengthy) Gradual AdaptationGradual Adaptation True Bi-CulturalismTrue Bi-Culturalism

The Wizard of Oz - revisited

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. They are the necessary ingredients that bring about quality intercultural education.

What did you learn today?

This is my prayer, oh God of all the nations A prayer of peace for lands afar and mine This is my home, the country where my heart lies, Here lie my hopes my dreams like stars that shine But other hearts in other lands are beating With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine

My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine But other skies have sunlight too, and clover And skies are everywhere as blue as mine Oh hear my prayer oh God of all the nations A prayer of peace for their land and for mine

The entire presentation is accessible at Dropbox at the following link: NSPIl5e0d Click here to view CSRCSClick here to view CSRCS.

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