Rotary Youth Exchange… Why Culture Matters Jeanette M. Fregulia, Ph.D

Introductory Remarks Acknowledgements A little about me… How I got here… Where are we going?

Culture Is… Universal, Cultural (today’s focus), and Personal Values, manners, language, ways of living… The total way of life of a people… Located in the hearts and minds of people…

The Culture Iceberg Most of culture is hidden Don’t be like the Titanic and speed up when you should slow down! Consider –What is hidden v. what is visible? –What divides us v. what unites us?

Types of Culture High Context –High use of non-verbal elements –Learning occurs by observation –Groups preferred Low Context –Low use of non-verbal cues –Learning occurs by following explicit instructions –Groups are not preferred

Adjusting to a New Culture Surprise Stress Irritation Fatigue Shock

Adjusting to a New Culture

Help for Culture Shock Before It Is Too Late Symptoms include –Extreme fatigue –Eating too much/too little –Obsessive/compulsive behavior –Hypochondria –Overreacting –Loss of perspective –Other

Help for Culture Shock Coping Some discomfort is normal If there is no discomfort, the student is not trying to adjust Learn as much as possible about language and culture before leaving home

Help for Culture Shock Coping Accept, adapt and smile! Seek help from local resources

Help for Culture Shock Other Most clashes are temporary It’s not strange, it’s just different Do not condemn If exchange were easy, not the experience we left home to seek

Getting On… Smile Be polite, humble, helpful, and gracious It’s your exchange

Getting On… Don’t… Expect English Complain Leave home with preconceived ideas Disobey the rules Call your parents (or maybe just not everyday!) Forget to have fun…

Useful Skills Language (did I mention this already?) Flexibility Open-mindedness Observation You mean I have to eat that? Time and Space A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, he always arrives precisely when he means to…” - Gandalf

A Word on Civility Be ready to accept different values Be generous with your smiles, your charm and your sincerity Be hospitable – in most places this matters Remember the children Remember holidays Be helpful

Consider… What are you most looking forward to? What worries you most? What will you miss most? What will you miss least? What will your greatest challenge be? What do you want to think/feel the day you return home?

Ten Tips… Know your destination Learn some language Understand that “culture matters” Don’t ignore practical matters Find a local mentor

Ten Tips… Stay curious Watch for culture shock Keep a journal Think before your speak Embrace the different, the unusual, and even the uncomfortable

Can I help? Jeanette M. Fregulia (w) (h)

Thank you Questions?