Cultural adjustment
"Sweet Victory! (Wellington, New Zealand)." Photograph by Erin Graham. Capturing the utter joy of an All Blacks victory over the National Rugby Team of France.
Culture is the sum total of the institutions, beliefs, customs, behaviors, artifacts, language and attitudes of a particular group of people. It is learned and transmitted from generation to generation. It is cumulative and everchanging. It is the way people think, act and speak as well as what they think about, why they act the way they do and what they say. Culture is the total way of life of a people.
Your culture affects everything you do, and it colors the way you view other cultures.
When the contact of cultures reveals extreme differences, or even contradictory views or customs, uneasiness — often referred to as "culture shock" — can occur. Dealing with this uneasiness is part of the valuable process of cross-cultural communication and understanding.
Successfully adapt to your host culture
- Stay flexible and open-minded.
- Keep your sense of humor.
- Keep busy, and set concrete goals. Resist withdrawing into yourself or surrounding yourself with Americans.
- Be friendly and outgoing. Make new friends in the host culture.
- Discover the satisfaction of immersing yourself in a different way of life. Be more than a tourist.
- Remember that you are a guest in the country. Do not expect special privileges.
- Indulge in aspects of the host culture that you can’t easily experience at home, such as a tea ceremony in Japan.
- Respect the customs and opinions of the people you meet overseas.
- Keep in touch with family and friends at home.
- Get plenty of sleep, exercise and healthy meals.
- Acknowledge that culture shock is normal and will pass. If these feelings increase in severity, seek help from your overseas contact person. If you are not receiving the help you need, contact the MU International Center right away.
