The Rotary Youth Exchange The Rotary Youth Exchange Experience: Experience:

Culture Shock Culture Shock

andand Reverse Culture Shock Reverse Culture Shock

Dennis White, Ph.D.Dennis White, Ph.D. dkwhite@itol.com

www.yeoresources.orgwww.yeoresources.org

CultureCultureAn integrated system of An integrated system of learned behavior patterns learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of that are characteristic of any given society. It refers any given society. It refers to the total way of life, to the total way of life, including how people think, including how people think, feel and behave.feel and behave.

Culture ShockCulture Shock

The profound sense of The profound sense of disorientation and discomfort that disorientation and discomfort that comes with extended travel or comes with extended travel or living in a foreign culture markedly living in a foreign culture markedly different from one’s own.different from one’s own.

Culture shock is precipitated Culture shock is precipitated by the anxiety that by the anxiety that results from losing all results from losing all familiar signs and symbols of familiar signs and symbols of social interaction. social interaction.

These cues, which may be words, gestures, These cues, which may be words, gestures, facial expressions, customs, or norms are facial expressions, customs, or norms are acquired by all of us in the course of acquired by all of us in the course of growing up and are as much a part of our growing up and are as much a part of our culture as the language we speak or the culture as the language we speak or the beliefs we accept. All of us depend for our beliefs we accept. All of us depend for our peace of mind and our efficiency on peace of mind and our efficiency on hundreds of these cues, most of which are hundreds of these cues, most of which are unconsciously learned.unconsciously learned.

These signs are the thousand These signs are the thousand and one ways in which we and one ways in which we orient ourselves to the orient ourselves to the situations of daily life:situations of daily life:

• when, or whether to shake hands when, or whether to shake hands • what to say when we meet peoplewhat to say when we meet people• when and how to give tipswhen and how to give tips• how to make purchaseshow to make purchases• when to accept and when to refuse when to accept and when to refuse

invitationsinvitations• when to take statements seriously when to take statements seriously

and when notand when not• what to eat and how to eat itwhat to eat and how to eat it

When an individual enters a When an individual enters a strange culture, all or most of strange culture, all or most of these familiar cues are removed. these familiar cues are removed. He or she is like a fish out of He or she is like a fish out of water. No matter how broad-water. No matter how broad-minded or full of good will we minded or full of good will we may be, a series of props have may be, a series of props have been knocked from under us. been knocked from under us.

This is followed by a feeling of This is followed by a feeling of frustration and anxiety. People frustration and anxiety. People react to the frustration in much react to the frustration in much the same way. First they reject the same way. First they reject the environment which causes the environment which causes the discomfort: "the ways of the the discomfort: "the ways of the host country are bad because host country are bad because they make us feel bad."they make us feel bad."

Second, they look for anything Second, they look for anything or anyone that will help them feel or anyone that will help them feel more comfortable. This can be a more comfortable. This can be a fellow countryman, but it can be fellow countryman, but it can be and often is and often is anyoneanyone from from anyplaceanyplace who is also a who is also a foreignerforeigner

Keep this in mind when we later Keep this in mind when we later talk about The Irritability Stage talk about The Irritability Stage and:and: The Inbound Syndrome The Inbound Syndrome The Homebound Syndrome The Homebound Syndrome

Ethnocentrism:Ethnocentrism:

The universal The universal tendency for any tendency for any culture to see its own culture to see its own values and practices values and practices as natural and correct. as natural and correct.

Ethnocentrism:Ethnocentrism:

All cultures are All cultures are ethnocentric - and ethnocentric - and must be to impart must be to impart their values to their their values to their members.members.

VersaillesVersailles

• New Berlin, Wisconsin• Cairo, Illinois• Minot, North Dakota

At first we will be dependent At first we will be dependent upon translators – sometimes a upon translators – sometimes a risky businessrisky business

Sometimes, even when we are Sometimes, even when we are trying, pronunciation leads to trying, pronunciation leads to

problems!problems!

In a new culture everything is In a new culture everything is harderharder

Our own culture, or sub-culture, comes to us as Our own culture, or sub-culture, comes to us as naturally and unconsciously as our handedness. naturally and unconsciously as our handedness.

We generally don’t think about what hand we We generally don’t think about what hand we will use to write our names. will use to write our names.

Changing our cultural point of view is about as Changing our cultural point of view is about as hard as changing our handedness. Both are hard as changing our handedness. Both are possible, but neither is easy. possible, but neither is easy.

Handwriting exerciseHandwriting exercise

The Cultural IcebergThe Cultural Iceberg

1/81/8thth above above the surfacethe surface

7/87/8thths below s below the surfacethe surface

Conscious Conscious behaviorsbehaviors

Unconscious Unconscious beliefs and beliefs and

valuesvalues

Advice often mistakenly given to Advice often mistakenly given to American Outbound students American Outbound students (from an ethnocentric point of (from an ethnocentric point of

view):view):

Just be yourself!Just be yourself!

Consider the new culture to Consider the new culture to be an icebergbe an iceberg

You are the Titanic!!!You are the Titanic!!!

(Ship Outta Luck!)(Ship Outta Luck!)

““Culture Shock takes me Culture Shock takes me outside my comfort outside my comfort

zone.”zone.”Exchange student journal, 2 monthsExchange student journal, 2 months

Personal ExamplesPersonal Examples

• Holding handsHolding hands• Crossing the streetCrossing the street• Thumbs upThumbs up

Culture ShockCulture Shock

The profound sense of The profound sense of disorientation and discomfort that disorientation and discomfort that comes with extended travel or comes with extended travel or living in a foreign culture markedly living in a foreign culture markedly different from one’s own.different from one’s own.

Stages of Culture Shock:Stages of Culture Shock:• Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement• Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism• Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation• Integration and bi-culturalism Integration and bi-culturalism

Culture Shock.doc   The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc  

TypicalTypical Culture Shock CycleCulture Shock Cycle

Pre-Departure Months

Normal Level of Feelings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …...

Rotary Youth ExchangeRotary Youth Exchange

Adapted from a model by Robert KohlsAdapted from a model by Robert Kohls

11

2233

44

Stages of Culture Shock:Stages of Culture Shock:• Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement• Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism• Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation• Integration and bi-culturalism Integration and bi-culturalism

Examples ofExamples of Initial Enthusiasm and ExcitementInitial Enthusiasm and Excitement

• Trying any food (once!)?Trying any food (once!)?• Saying “yes” to almost any suggested activitySaying “yes” to almost any suggested activity• Wanting to go and see as many places as possibleWanting to go and see as many places as possible• Finding many similarities with things back homeFinding many similarities with things back home• Politely and pleasantly smiling and saying “yes” Politely and pleasantly smiling and saying “yes”

whether you understand or notwhether you understand or not• Taking lots of picturesTaking lots of pictures• Frequently sharing your new and exciting Frequently sharing your new and exciting

experiences back homeexperiences back home

Stages of Culture Shock:Stages of Culture Shock:• Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement• Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism• Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation• Integration and bi-culturalism Integration and bi-culturalism

Examples ofExamples of Irritability and NegativismIrritability and Negativism• Why don’t they ever hug or touch one another?Why don’t they ever hug or touch one another?• Why do they always hug and touch one another?Why do they always hug and touch one another?• Why don’t they make their street signs easier to read?Why don’t they make their street signs easier to read?

Examples ofExamples of Irritability and NegativismIrritability and Negativism• If they mean “no” why don’t they say “no”?If they mean “no” why don’t they say “no”?• Why don’t they just tell me what something costs?Why don’t they just tell me what something costs?• Why can’t anyone stand in line?Why can’t anyone stand in line?• Why do they drive so fast?Why do they drive so fast?• Forcing a smile with clenched teeth when you don’t Forcing a smile with clenched teeth when you don’t

understand what is going on.understand what is going on.• Complaining about your discomfort to sympathetic Complaining about your discomfort to sympathetic

people back home, or other inbounds in countrypeople back home, or other inbounds in country• WithdrawingWithdrawing

If the easiest response to the If the easiest response to the Irritability and negativism Irritability and negativism stage is stage is to find comfort with other Inboundsto find comfort with other Inboundsor electronically with friends and family or electronically with friends and family at home, the student may get stuck going at home, the student may get stuck going back and forth from stage one to two, back and forth from stage one to two, back and forthback and forth

Stages of Culture Shock:Stages of Culture Shock:• Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement

• Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism

• Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation• Integration and bi-culturalism Integration and bi-culturalism

The Inbound SyndromeThe Inbound Syndrome

An almost universal tendency for InboundAn almost universal tendency for Inboundstudents, and expatriates of any kind, tostudents, and expatriates of any kind, togather together and become very closegather together and become very closewhen living in a foreign country. when living in a foreign country.

Often this can be to the detriment of their Often this can be to the detriment of their ability to immerse effectively into the host ability to immerse effectively into the host cultureculture..

The Inbound Syndrome revised.doc   

TypicalTypical Culture Shock CycleCulture Shock Cycle

Pre-Departure Months

Normal Level of Feelings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …...

Rotary Youth ExchangeRotary Youth Exchange

Adapted from a model by Robert KohlsAdapted from a model by Robert Kohls

11

2233

44

Stages of Culture Shock:Stages of Culture Shock:• Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement• Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism• Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation• Integration and bi-culturalism Integration and bi-culturalism

Examples ofExamples of Gradual Adjustment Gradual Adjustment and Adaptation and Adaptation

• Learning the language.Learning the language.• Finding yourself dreaming in the host language.Finding yourself dreaming in the host language.• Finding yourself unable to precisely explain a concept you Finding yourself unable to precisely explain a concept you

have learned to someone back home using English.have learned to someone back home using English.• Insisting people speak to you in the host language rather Insisting people speak to you in the host language rather

than Englishthan English• Going to host parents and local Rotarians with problems Going to host parents and local Rotarians with problems

rather than people back home.rather than people back home.• Speaking with other Inbounds in the host language rather Speaking with other Inbounds in the host language rather

than Englishthan English• Becoming involved in school or community activitiesBecoming involved in school or community activities

A language learning gameA language learning game

Enculturation:Enculturation:

The successful adoption of the The successful adoption of the behavior patterns and customsbehavior patterns and customs of the surrounding culture. of the surrounding culture.

(also called acculturation, (also called acculturation,

immersion, assimilation, adaptation) immersion, assimilation, adaptation)

Stages of Culture Shock:Stages of Culture Shock:• Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement• Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism• Gradual adjustment and adaptationGradual adjustment and adaptation• Integration and bi-culturalismIntegration and bi-culturalism

Examples ofExamples of Integration and Integration and Bi-Culturalism Bi-Culturalism

• Not having to translate in your head first.Not having to translate in your head first.• Traveling across town by bus, making a purchase, meeting friends Traveling across town by bus, making a purchase, meeting friends

in the host language and no one asks “where are you from”?in the host language and no one asks “where are you from”?• Engaging in host culture practices without thinking:Engaging in host culture practices without thinking:

- Eating with fingers, or a knife and fork or chop sticks - - Eating with fingers, or a knife and fork or chop sticks - Standing close, or distant, in line with host customs andStanding close, or distant, in line with host customs and

feeling comfortable.feeling comfortable.• Accepting and appreciating fundamentally different cultural values Accepting and appreciating fundamentally different cultural values

as just that – different not right or wrong.as just that – different not right or wrong.• Telling people back home – I’m not ready – you can’t make me Telling people back home – I’m not ready – you can’t make me

come back!come back!

Culture Shock CycleCulture Shock Cycle

Pre-Departure Months

Normal Level of Feelings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …...

Rotary Youth ExchangeRotary Youth Exchange

Adapted from a model by Robert KohlsAdapted from a model by Robert Kohls

Most people anticipate Most people anticipate some degree of culture some degree of culture shock. Very few people shock. Very few people believe they will experience believe they will experience reverse culture shock.reverse culture shock.

Reverse Culture ShockReverse Culture Shock (Re-entry Shock) (Re-entry Shock)

The often unexpected and difficult period of The often unexpected and difficult period of disorientation and readjustment experienced disorientation and readjustment experienced after returning to one’s own culture after an after returning to one’s own culture after an

extended period of living abroad. extended period of living abroad.

So You Think You're Home Now.doc   

Going Home.doc   

The Stages of Reverse Culture Shock The Stages of Reverse Culture Shock are almost the same as those of are almost the same as those of Culture ShockCulture Shock

• Initial Euphoria (may be very brief or not Initial Euphoria (may be very brief or not happen at all)happen at all)

• Irritability and Negativism ( may be very Irritability and Negativism ( may be very lengthy)lengthy)

• Gradual AdaptationGradual Adaptation• True Bi-CulturalismTrue Bi-Culturalism

““It is impossible to describe the shock of return. I recall It is impossible to describe the shock of return. I recall how I stood for the longest time staring at a newly painted how I stood for the longest time staring at a newly painted yellow line on a neatly formed cement curb. Yellow, yellow line on a neatly formed cement curb. Yellow, yellow line. yellow line.

I pondered the human industry, the paint, the cement truck I pondered the human industry, the paint, the cement truck

and concrete forms and all the resources that had gone and concrete forms and all the resources that had gone into that one curb. For what? I could not quite think of an into that one curb. For what? I could not quite think of an answer. So that no car would park there? Are there so answer. So that no car would park there? Are there so many cars that America must be divided into places with many cars that America must be divided into places with and places without them? and places without them?

Was it always so, or did they multiply vastly, along with Was it always so, or did they multiply vastly, along with

telephones and new shoes and transistor radios and telephones and new shoes and transistor radios and cellophane wrapped tomatoes, in our absence?cellophane wrapped tomatoes, in our absence?””

The Poisonwood BibleThe Poisonwood Bible

Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock are not just Culture Shock are not just unpleasant side effects of unpleasant side effects of

international living.international living.

They are the necessary They are the necessary ingredients that bring about ingredients that bring about

quality intercultural education. quality intercultural education.

Dennis White, Ph.D.Dennis White, Ph.D.207 S. 4th Ave.207 S. 4th Ave.Sturgeon Bay, WI. 54235Sturgeon Bay, WI. 54235Telephone 920-746-1346Telephone 920-746-1346Fax 920-746-1347Fax 920-746-1347Email dkwhite@itol.comEmail dkwhite@itol.com

For more information, For more information, visit visit www.yeoresources.org