North American Youth Exchange NetworkWhat Is This Thing Called Culture?

Orlando, Florida February 2013

Jeanette M. Fregulia, Ph.D.

Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh eat, worry...it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends

-Maya Angelou

Introductory Remarks

Acknowledgements

A little about me and my involvement in RYE

A Short Overview

Culture Is…Universal

Cultural (today’s focus)

Personal

Helping Students Understand Culture

Culture is an iceberg - most of culture is hidden

Ask students to consider– What is hidden v. what is visible?– What divides us v. what unites us?

Types of CultureHigh Context

Low Context

Our partners in RYE tell me...

Adjusting to a New CultureSurprise

Stress

Fatigue

Shock

Adjusting to a New Culture

http://www3.uop.edu/sis/culture/pub-_Returning_Home.htm

Help for Culture Shock - Symptoms

Extreme fatigue/homesickness

Eating and sleeping too much/too little

Obsessive/compulsive behavior

Hyper-irritability

Excessive drinking/drug use

Loss of focus

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

Sometimes, students just have to build a bridge and get over it

Help for Culture Shock - Coping

Accept, adapt and smile!

Seek help from local resources

Most clashes are temporary

It’s not strange, it’s just different

Do not condemn

If exchange were easy, not the experience students left home seeking

Important Skills for Cultural AdjustmentLanguage and communication

Flexibility/open-mindedness

Make mistakes

Smile

Observe then speak

Do 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

Orienting Students WellAdults involved in RYE work very hard, so students also have responsibilities

Remind students: this is their exchange

Host families are not obligated to...

But if students...

Pride and satisfaction in a successful exchange

Orienting Students WellI recommend the following dos and dont’s

Students may not be ready for an exchange if

Civility and hospitality

A few final/practical thoughts– Language preparation– Culture matters– Keep a journal– Packing

Ask Students These Questions...

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?

Coming Home SuccessfullyFor some students, this is more difficult

About Culture – Rebound

Reverse culture shock defined

Difficulties occur because...

Degree of reverse culture shock depends on...

Cycle of Reverse Culture Shock

Surprise

Stress

Fatigue

Shock

Back to the Chart

Adjusting to the Home Culture

http://www3.uop.edu/sis/culture/pub-_Returning_Home.htm

Help for Reverse Culture Shock

Back home...student report

Advise students

Some things students can do

Special challenges for those returning to high school

Three Home RealitiesHouse rules have probably not changed

Curfew? What curfew?

Capt. Jack Sparrow wondered, “but why is the rum gone?”

Discussion Questions for StudentsWhat was your biggest surprise?

One important thing you learned?

What make your exchange special?

What made you laugh/cry?

Biggest cultural mistake?

Greatest personal insight?

Greatest personal success?

What do you not want to forget?

What was your biggest challenge?

Others...

Questions? - Thank you

Can I help?Jeanette M. Freguliajfregulia@carroll.edu jmfregulia@bresnan.net 406.447.4951 (w)

406.449.2679 (h)

775.313.1642 (cell)