The Inbound Syndrome (Expatriate Bonding) Presentation at the 2007 YEO Pre-Convention Meeting Moderator: Bob White, D Panelists: Maria Leticia Ferreira, D Dennis White, D Inbounds Hugo (Brazil) and (Germany) For more information, visit For more information, visit Or contact Dennis White at Or contact Dennis White at

The Inbound Syndrome An almost universal tendency for Inbound students, and expatriates of any kind, to gather together and become very close when living in a foreign country. Often this can be to the detriment of their ability to immerse effectively into the host culture. An almost universal tendency for Inbound students, and expatriates of any kind, to gather together and become very close when living in a foreign country. Often this can be to the detriment of their ability to immerse effectively into the host culture.

Enculturation: Enculturation: The adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture.

Enculturation, in turn, requires an understanding of the following concepts: 1. Culture Shock Enculturation, in turn, requires an understanding of the following concepts: 1. Culture Shock 2. The Stages of Culture Shock 2. The Stages of Culture Shock 3. The Process of Developing Intercultural Sensitivity 3. The Process of Developing Intercultural Sensitivity 4. Ethnocentrism 4. Ethnocentrism 5. Ethnorelativism. 5. Ethnorelativism.

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 euphoria Initial enthusiasm and euphoria Irritability and negativism Irritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptation Gradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalism Integration and bi-culturalism

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

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

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

Developing cultural sensitivity and competence requires moving from Ethnocentrism to Ethnorelativism

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

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

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

Instant Electronic Communications ► Once upon a time, communication was by postal letter… by postal letter… ► It would take 14 to 20 days for a round trip message. trip message. ► Problems had to be solved where the student was. student was. ► It may have been uncomfortable, but it required the student to adapt. required the student to adapt.

Instant Electronic Communications ► Instant communication allows the student to fall back on friends and family to solve the problem, or avoid the problem. student to fall back on friends and family to solve the problem, or avoid the problem. ► They never work through “hitting the wall”. ► Emotionally, they never leave home.

Expatriate Bonding (The Inbound Syndrome) ► An almost universal tendency for Inbound students, and expatriates of any kind, to gather together and become very close when living in a foreign country. ► Early and frequent contact among Inbounds can actually work against fitting in to the host culture

Expatriate Bonding (The Inbound Syndrome) ► In a foreign country, the quickest way to feel more comfortable is to seek out someone else like you. ► What they have most in common, that no one else from the host culture has, is that they are foreigners. ► Spending too much time with other Inbounds may feel more comfortable, but is also counter- productive to becoming enculturated.

Poor Language Acquisition ► After students “hit the wall” and enter the stage if irritability, the main way out is language acquisition. ► The longest, most difficult but most satisfying “gain” is the “gradual adaptation” stage, when the students become linguistically competent (not necessarily fluent)

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

How to manage the Inbound Syndrome ► It is almost inevitable – so learn to live with it. Manage it, don’t fight it ► Be aware of it and our tendency (as YEOs) to get caught up in it (the Model UN) ► Inform students, challenge students, support students ► The goal is not to eliminate Inbound contact – it is to minimize the negative effects of the IBS

Information at ► Culture Shock.doc ► Culture Shock.doc Culture Shock.doc Culture Shock.doc ► The Inbound Syndrome revised.doc The Inbound Syndrome revised.doc The Inbound Syndrome revised.doc ► The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc ► seven lessons we can learn.doc seven lessons we can learn.doc seven lessons we can learn.doc ► Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock Presentation.ppt Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock Presentation.ppt Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock Presentation.ppt ► Developing Intercultural Sensitivity.ppt Developing Intercultural Sensitivity.ppt Developing Intercultural Sensitivity.ppt

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