1. 1. What is culture? 2. How do we enter into a new culture? 3. What is culture shock? 4. Some final thoughts Presented by Lauren Hichaaba Culture

2. 1. What is culture?

3. What is culture? Primarily in the mind, a pattern of shared assumptions Has been developed by the group as a way of coping with the environment and keeping the group together The arts, beliefs, customs, institutions, and other products of human work and thought considered as a unit, especially with regard to a particular time or social group. The set of predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize a group or organization So many different definitions Largely unconscious Iceberg of culture

4. Iceberg of Culture

5. Formation of Culture Story of the village and how they learned to cope with lions Why do people do the things they do Externalisation A group puts order on its environment Objectification This order becomes part of reality, “That is just the way things are” Internalisation It becomes part of us. And we will teach it to others without knowing the reason why.

6. The Power of Culture It is unconsciously absorbed and rarely questioned It makes society and life possible by limiting our choices Also allows us to be individuals Culture is a partial view of the environment and only a way to be human – not THE way of being human

7. Exercise: Whose reality? In groups of two work through the ‘Development’ teasers and try to come up with solutions that are posed by the problems presented.

8. What is most important about this exercise? Political Economy Tradition Religion Gender Livelihood Social Groups Resources Environment Capacity Family Government We all have different realities We must understand the reality of the people which we work We must be willing to enter into authentic relationship in order to understand people So how do we figure out the reality in which we are entering? It will probably only ever to be possible to understand to a certain point What is the political economy? It often very difficult for locals to articulate the political economy The dynamics of political economy and intricate and difficult to understand

9. Important points about culture: It is often hard to articulate Much of it is in the subconscious Some parts of others culture are good, some parts are bad but instead of thinking about it in that way it is important to remember that mostly it is just different As Cagliero volunteers we are not there to change the culture – we can however influence it by example So how do we enter into the culture?

10. 2. How do we enter into a new culture?

11. How do we strive to enter into a culture as Salesian missionaries? Helicopter Comes with great noise You cannot hear yourself It antagonises Blows away the local soil Tree Grows slowly and organically in the local soil Has many branches and individual leaves Lays down roots and blends into the environment

12. We are not there to change the culture Observe Ask – initiate a dialogue – try to understand Be a witness – an example over time can be an incredible impact When do we say something? When do we try to affect change? So what does a missionary do in …….?

13. Utilise the experience around you Local Salesians and other Salesian missionaries with longer experience Trusted local lay mission partners Remember that all these people will also have opinions Openness is crucial We ALWAYS enter with an attitude of humility We are guests and the hosts must stay in charge

14. What culture do we bring with us? What signifies your own culture? Our family culture? Our friends? What might not be appropriate about our culture in our new country? What do you bring with you personally? Take a moment to jot down a few things that you think you bring with you due to your own culture and the culture of your family

15. Importance of Languages Language shapes thought and therefore can be a critical part of enculturation It is your individual decision how much you decide you want to pursue the language(s) of your destination country

16. Catholic Social Teaching (CST) A good framework of understanding how we want to impact the world CST principles ‘provide a moral framework for viewing society which ensures that the good of the individual and common good of humanity coalesce’ It is a holistic view These are the attitudes that you will slowly adopt as Salesian missionary or student in…..

17. Principles of CST Dignity of the human person The Common Good Preferential option for the poor Rights and Duties Participation Economic Justice Solidarity Stewardship of Creation Promotion of Peace Role of Government/Subsidiarity

18. What can we learn from the art exercise? People perceive us differently than we perceive ourselves Heading overseas: People will make assumptions based on your cultural background People will make assumptions based on the fact you come from a developing or more-developed… nation

19. 3. What is Culture Shock?

20. Culture Shock – a description May feel like a child again Felling like a fish out of water A feeling of not knowing what do in the new environment and what is appropriate Tense and stressful because you are constantly listening and watching and trying to figure the culture out Occasionally manifests in physical and emotional discomfort

21. Phases of culture shock Honeymoon stage: everything is exciting and people are welcoming Rejection phase: newcomer begins to feel angry about the local conditions and complains about the country Regression phase: newcomer decides to spend much time alone or with fellow nationals – home is seen as a wonderful place where nothing ever went wrong Recovery phase: more comfortable with language, customs and therefore the people Reverse culture shock: return home to find out how much you have changed and how limited home is.

22. Culture Shock - symptoms Feelings of loneliness, anger, frustration or irritability Loss of sense of humour Withdrawal from others or only spending time with ex-pats Feelings of being lost, overlooked or underappreciated Negative feelings about the host culture and people Compulsive eating or drinking

23. How to cope with culture shock Recognise it is normal and try to understand what is happening to you Take time to learn at least some of the language Talk to people who can understand help – both in your host country and Australia Take care of yourself – eat well, exercise, sleep Travel and take a break on occasion Make friends and develop relationships Stay connected with home but try not to idealise it Be patient – all of this is very normal

24. Don’ts during culture shock Don’t be too hard on yourself – especially if you miss home – this is completely normal Don’t judge the local culture too quickly – take time to observe Don’t only focus on the bad – there will be so many good things in your host country – keep your sense of humour Any others?

25. This experience is an opportunity to grow… Entering into a new culture is difficult but it is an opportunity for profound personal learning Deeper insight into yourself and your life Broader perspectives Wider tolerance of other people Great freedom and increased ability to love An expanded humanity – we really are all the same beyond the superficial differences

26. Exercise: Role Play

27. 4. Some final thoughts…

28. Don Bosco is very clear about entering into a new culture… At the heart of everything is relationship Presence Gospel Values

29. How do we return home after…? Often time returning to your home culture can be harder than entering into a new culture Difficult to articulate the experience Many will only want superficial details however you experience will be very profound There can be a tendency to idealise our host country The inequality in the world can be very difficult to deal with