文化冲击.docx

1、文化冲击Culture shock is the term used to describe how people feel when they are exposed to an unfamiliar culture or way of life, and the feeling of disorientation and separateness they experience. Its a condition that every international teacher feels in varying degrees, whether theyre new to teaching

2、abroad or old hands at it.Luckily culture shock follows a fairly predictable cycle and there are a number of ways you can prepare for it and lessen the impact of it once youve made the move overseas. Unfortunately, when describing culture shock, it comes across as a negative thing to be avoided at a

3、ll costs, and Ive just told you its inevitable for anyone wanting to teach abroad. Its important for you to remember that teaching overseas is an opportunity to explore other cultures and enjoy a better teaching environment. Yes, you will experience culture shock, but you can manage this and its not

4、 all bad!Factors that can contribute to culture shock are :* People speaking a different language, dialect or with an unfamiliar accent. * Dealing with a different currnecy, money that is a different colour, feel and value. Keeping track of exchange rates can become a tiresome chore when living abro

5、ad, so once youve received your first paycheck, dont bother. Earn local, spend local! * People behaving in unfamiliar ways, even local customs can vary from one end of a country to another. * Spicy and/or unfamiliar food. You may need to substitute like ingredients in your favourite recipes too. * P

6、eople staring at you, if you are in a country where your skin colour or facial features stand out as being different, this will happen.On top of this youll be the new teacher in school, so the procedures and policies will be different to what youre used to at home.Recognising culture shockRecognisin

7、g culture shock for what it is and acknowledging which stage youre in is the first step to lessening the grip it has on you. For example, if you suddenly feel like you hate your new teaching job because of how hard it is to make the purchasing department understand what it is youre trying to order,

8、recognising this as an effect of culture shock can help you adjust your behaviour.When you first get to your new home youll feel happy to be there and everything you see or experience will be wonderful and new. This is the honeymoon stage of culture shock and it feels great! It can last from several

9、 days to several months. This is the time where youll be sending loads of emails to your friend using words and phrases like awesome, best decision Ive ever made, dont know why I didnt do this years ago. Recognise this stage of culture shock and enjoy it.Next comes the period of frustration, full of

10、 situations like the example above. When you sink into this part of the cycle youll begin to dislike everything about your new home. Itll be too hard, too smelly, too hot, too loud, and everything else too! This is also when homesickness could strike you with a vengeance. You may find yourself devel

11、oping a hostile attitude towards every one not of your own nationality and culture. Your old home will suddenly seem like the best place in the world and you may regret ever leaving it.Strategies to cope with the stress of culture shock1. Learn some of the local language before you leave home. Youve

12、 signed a contract that means youre going to be living in your host country for 1-2 years, learning the language will help you get around and make friends. Some great ways to learn the local language while youre still at home2. Take time to get used to the new time zone, the different weather and sm

13、ells, sounds etc. 3. Begin building friendships as soon as you arrive and meet the other new teachers. Youll form a bond with these teachers in the first year especially because theyll be coping with culture shock as well. This will be your support group.4. Stay in touch with people youve left at ho

14、me. In my most recent move I found the best medicine for the frustration phase was an email from my old colleagues telling me how unsatisfied they were at my previous school.5. Cut yourself some slack. When you recognise the symptoms of culture shock, give yourself a break, watch a favourite movie,

15、look at pictures from home, have a meal at your favourite restaurant. Revel in the great things youre experiencing in your new home so that you can put your frustration in perspective. Overcoming culture shock Each year, millions of people go abroad to work, study, or travel. Its a great way to find

16、 out what life is like in another part of the world! Youre probably hoping to make new friends and learn about the culture in your host country - everything from attitudes and beliefs to social customs and popular foods. But constantly having to deal with new situations can be frustrating, even stre

17、ssful. Homesickness, stress, fear, and confusion are all symptoms of culture shock. It is a result of carrying out your everyday life in a way that you are not used to, as well as being far from familiar places and faces. At first, you may feel like getting on the plane and heading home. Its OK to h

18、ave those feelings, but wait, hang in there! Following are some tips to help you handle the challenges that you will face. Dont expect to be perfect. You may feel frustrated that you have culture shock, especially since you probably spent so much time preparing for your trip. No matter how much info

19、rmation you read, or how well you speak the host language, it is natural to feel overwhelmed sometimes. Jet lag may also be a factor - if you are exhausted from travel as well as trying to adjust to a new time zone, you may not be ready to face a new environment. If you give yourself some time, thin

20、gs will gradually get easier. Have an open mind. While its certainly OK to feel frustration or confusion in your new surroundings, try not to form an opinion about the new culture too soon. You may be quick to judge the food, manners and communication styles and as a result, you may want to do thing

21、s the way you are used to. If you have this kind of attitude, you will probably avoid some of the very experiences that you came for. Your expectations as well as common cultural stereotypes will often be inaccurate. Dont think of the host culture as better or worse, just different - youll be more w

22、illing to try new things. Participate. This is obvious, but everybody needs to be reminded. Just watching life go on around you isnt good enough - you really need to try things for yourself. Dont worry about making a mistake; people in your host country will generally be very understanding and willi

23、ng to help if you have questions. If you are unsure of what to do in a formal setting, follow others lead. Active participation in conversation is important, especially if you want to become fluent in the local language - your efforts will be appreciated! Talk about it. Dont forget about the organiz

24、ations and people that are there to help you. For exchange students, your sponsoring agency will probably have a local volunteer who will be checking on you. Colleges and universities generally have offices that concentrate on the needs of international students and their families. Talk to members o

25、f your host family or friends that youve made there. All of these people will be happy to help, and will have lots of good advice since theyve probably had other students with the same issues in the past. But you must be willing to discuss your concerns with them. You wont offend anyone, so be hones

26、t! Heres how one student dealt with being overseas: When I first arrived I became homesick. I told my host family how I was feeling and made sure they understood that it was nothing they had done. Eva, the youngest of my three host sisters turned on Kasey Kasem?s America?s Top 40 weekly radio progra

27、m. We spent an afternoon talking and listening to familiar music from home. It was so comforting. I soon recovered from my homesickness, which only lasted a couple of days, and thoroughly enjoyed my time over there. Keep in touch. Write letters or call your family regularly. Talking to someone famil

28、iar to you always makes you feel better, and they can encourage you when youre feeling homesick. A good idea is to make plans to call every week on the same day and time: for example, every Sunday at 7pm. That way, youll never be disappointed that nobody is home to answer your call, and youll have s

29、omething to look forward to each week. Ask your family to send photos in their letters to you, and to send you clippings from newspapers or magazines. Postcards are an easy way to keep your family informed of your travels. If youre going to be able to use email while youre abroad, youll be able to k

30、eep in touch with lots of friends and family very inexpensively! Your study abroad experience is a unique and special time in your life, one that youll never forget. If you follow our suggestions, youll be able to handle it well, and have a wonderful time. Good luck! How to overcome culture shockAft

31、er arriving at your new university or college, the following suggestions may assist you in reducing the strain of culture shock: Be aware of the signs, including the physical symptoms. Soon after arriving, explore you immediate environment. Having taken advice on personal safety, walk around and get

32、 to know your neighbourhood. Create a mental map of your surroundings. Be courageous and introduce yourself to you neighbours. If you live in university accommodation, these are likely to be other students who feel just the way you do. Locate useful places such as the post office, the doctors surgery and the university welfare office so that you know where they are when you need them. Read a local newspaper and find out what the topical issues are. If you are well informed, you can hold conversations with British people without