“THE PROCESS IS THE END. FOR IT IS THE PROCESS THAT IS GLORIFYING TO GOD.” --Oswald Chambers

"This life therefore, is not godliness but the process of becoming godly, not health but getting well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way. The process is not yet finished, but it is actively going on. This is not the goal, but it is the right road. At present, everything does not gleam and sparkle, but everything is being cleansed." --Martin Luther

Thursday, February 12, 2009

culture shock

CULTURE SHOCK-a normal and natural growth or transition process as we adapt to another culture. As with any growth or adaption there is disorientation, ambiguity, and pain but we often come through this state more stable and centered than ever before.

The emotional disturbance that results from adjustments to a new cultural environment (Wm. Smalley)

The disorientation we experience when all the cultural maps and guideline we learned as children no longer work (Paul Hiebert)

The anxiety that results from losing all the familiar signs and symbols that help us understand a situation (Kalervo Oberg)
When you experience frustration from not knowing the rules or having the skills for adjusting to a new culture (Duane Elmer)
The reaction people have to the differences which surround them in a new environment and to having all the familiar supports knocked out from under them (Kalb & Welch)

ATTITUDES you can have:
-Openness, acceptance, trust, willing to try things on
-Suspicion, fear, prejudice, doubt

THE FACTS OF LIVING ABROAD-
These are INEVITABLES
*DISSONANCE* Frustration, confusion, tension, embarrassment, discomfort, you don’t know all the rules yet (language, behavior, customs)

CHOICE-you need to make the choice how you will respond
YOUR CHOICE leads you to be one of these:
COSMOPOLITIAN-Curiosity, interest, optimism, empathy, acceptance
ISOLATOR-Fight or Flight

TIPS FOR CROSS CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT:
1. Remember the big picture (we reread our blog for this too)
2. Listen and observe carefully-be aware
3. Try not to evaluate (no good or bad labels-NOT EASY!!!)
4. Suspend judgment in conflict situations
5. Be sensitive to host nationals
6. Resist temptation to speak critically with other ex-pats (you need safe people to share with, but be careful)-this one can be tough!!!
7. Learn to express yourself correctly (not politically correctly!)
8. Learn and use the language
9. Recognize that anxiety is normal
10. Learn more about the culture
11. Become involved
12. Develop a friendship with a host national
13. Push through culture shock-the blessings are abundant (our blog and our readers are helping us with this!!)


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