1. Ieva Vētra 23.10.2012

2. CONTENT What is culture? What is culture shock? What causes culture shock? Culture shock 4 phases – Honeymoon phase – Negotiation phase – Adjustment phase – Mastery phase How to adapt oneself

3. Culture - the ideas, customs and social behavior of a particular people or society

4. Culture shock - a condition that affects people who travel to a country different from their own. ! Culture shock is temporary !

5. WHAT CAUSES CULTURE SHOCK? Unfamiliar surroundings Foreign language Strange habits Time zone

6. HONEYMOON PHASE ♥ You are FASCINATED by the new culture ♥ Observations and new discoveries romantic light ♥ Differences are seen in a romantic light ♥ This phase eventually ends...

7. NEGOTIATION PHASE Excitment confusing and nervous feelings Influencing factors: language barriers, public hygiene, traffic safety, food accesibility, time zone You feel: sad, anxious, frustrated, homesick

8. ADJUSTMENT PHASE Confusing and nervous feelings routine The culture begins to make sense Things become more «normal» Negative emotions are reduced

9. MASTERY PHASE Also called biculturalism stage Your experience is relevant Adaption in host culture Old habits mix with the new ones

10. THE PROCESS OF ADJUSTMENT

11. HOW TO ADAPT ONESELF Make new contacts, friends Try to learn useful expressions Don’t follow stereotypes Adapt rather than transform Don’t be afraid to be awkward