Culture Shock Mentee Guide Week 6 The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Peer-to-Peer Discussion: What is culture shock? * Please take a few minutes to share your ideas and opinions The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Culture Shock Defined “The alienation, confusions, surprise, etc. that may be experienced by someone encountering unfamiliar surroundings, a strange city or community, or a different culture or experiencing interpersonal interactions that involve behaviors and/or values that are different from those engrained in one’s one culture.” Webster’s 3rd College Dictionary Mini Discussion: Do you agree with this definition? Why or why not? The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

What Does Culture Shock Feel Like? Feelings associated with culture shock: Surprise and anxiety after becoming aware of cultural differences Uncertainty of how to accomplish tasks in a new environment Lack of understanding of what is appropriate and what is inappropriate Confusion in role expectations and values Feeling strained due to the effort required to make necessary psychological adaptations Anger, hostility, increased criticism and/or rejection of new culture Feeling lost in a new environment due to exposure to new foods, languages, and/or climate The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Mentor Reflection Individually Reflect Please reflect on your study abroad experience. Did you experience cultural shock? Share Please share your experience with culture shock. If you experience culture shock, how did it affect you? How did you constructively deal with it? Questions Mentee: Please take a moment to ask your mentor any questions you may have about culture shock. The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

The Four Stages of Culture Shock Tip: The following slides will include additional information about each stage of culture shock. You are encouraged to discuss each stage as you read about it. Adapted from diversityabroad.com Honeymoon Stage Frustration Stage Understanding Stage Acclimation Stage The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

The Honeymoon Stage Feelings and Actions Associated with the Honeymoon Period: Fascination with the new environment and new culture Excitement due to experiencing new fashion, food, and social customs Enthusiasm about discoveries and new observations Pleasant anticipation Quote from a student who has studied abroad: “We landed in Beijing but to me we might as well have been landing on Mars. Even though the writing was in characters, the air was thick with pollution and no one looked like me, I could not have been more excited to take it all in.” – Tiffany Martin, China 2005 The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

The Frustration Stage Feelings and Actions Associated with the Frustration Stage: Frustration due to not understanding the language or gestures Difficulties understanding local culture Feeling misunderstood or left out Homesickness Loss of initial excitement Idealizing your home culture Overreacting to slight setbacks The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

The Understanding Stage: Feelings and Actions Associated with the Understanding Stage: You begin to feel less homesick You become more comfortable with the culture, people, and food of the host country Understanding what you enjoy about the new environment Realization that it is okay to make mistakes as you transition into a new environment Begin to feel more comfortable in your surroundings The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

The Acclimation Stage Feelings and Actions Associated with the Acclimation Stage: You are able to objectively compare your host country with your home country You are able to better cope with things that initially frustrated you You begin to feel less like a foreigner The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Coping Strategies Tips and strategies: Remember that what you are going though is normal and will eventually pass Try not to dwell on small incidents and problems Reflect continuously Keep a journal Talk with a friend or a person you can trust Take care of yourself by getting lots of sleep and exercising Use the resources your program provides you with Explore and try to become comfortable within your new surroundings Maintain a sense of humor The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Peer-to-Peer Discussion What Did you experience the four stages of culture shock? How How did you overcome culture shock? What could you have done prior to leaving to better prepare yourself to deal with the new challenges of culture shock? Discuss Think about who you are. Prior to going abroad, how will you prepare to deal with culture shock? What coping strategies will you employ abroad? Talking with someone you trust can be a great way to cope with culture shock. Can you identify a few people in your life that you can have open discussions with? The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Resources Culture Shock Defined. (2011). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved from, webster.com/dictionary/culture%20shock Culture Shock & Study Abroad. (2009). Diversity Abroad. Retrieved from, shock#Understanding The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership