CROSS-CULTURAL CONFLICT AND ADJUSTMENT

1. A fish out of water“A fish out of water” this expression has been used to describe someone who is living in

a new culture. Such a person will experience a variety of emotional “ups and downs” lasting from weeks to years. Cultural adjustment can indeed be difficult, and newcomers adjust in many different ways.

Motivation Length of stay Language and culture background Language and cultural knowledge Personality Relationships with others Financial situation Job Age Degree of ethnocentrism

2. Unpredictable cultural adjustmentsSome newcomers to a society do well in their first year of cultural adjustment. However

they may have a more difficult time later. Perhaps they expected the second year to be as easy and successful as the first year, they are not prepared to deal with obstacles that arise during the second year. Those who had problems from the beginning may actually find the second year easier because they are used to solving problems. Sometimes people come to a second culture speaking the new language very well, but still do not have an easy adjustment.

3. A ride on a roller coaster

The experience of someone who is living in a different culture can be like riding a roller coaster. Their experience both elation and depression in a very short period and vacillate between loving and hating the new country. Often, but not always there is an initial period when newcomers feel enthusiasm and excitement. Many people in a new culture do not realize that their problems feelings and mood changes are common.

When people are immersed in a new culture “culture shock” is a typical response. They should anticipate that they will probably feel bewildered and disoriented at times. The newcomers may be unsure, for example, about when to shake hands or when to embrace.

4. The adjustment process in a new culture Honeymoon period: initially many people are fascinated and excited by everything in

the new culture. The newcomer is elated to be experiencing a new culture. Interestingly, this level of elation may not be reached again.

Culture shock: the individuals are immersed in new problems: housing, transportation, employment, shopping, and language. Mental fatigue result from continuously straining to understand the new language and culture.

Initial adjustment: every day activities such a housing and shopping are no longer major problems. The visitors may not yet be fluent in the spoken language, but they can now express their basic ideas and feelings.

Mental isolation: individual have been away from their family and good friends for a long time and may feel lonely. They cannot express themselves as well as they could in their native language. Frustration and sometime a loss of self-confidence result.

Acceptance and integration: a routine examples work, business or school has been established. The newcomers have become accustomed to the habits, customs, foods, and characteristics of the people in the culture. They feel comfortable with friends, associates, and the language in the new country.

5. Typical people that having problems adjusting to the new culture : Homesickness Inability to work well Too much eating, drinking, or sleeping Anger toward the members of the new culture Glorifying the native culture and emphasizing the negative in the new culture Withdrawal and avoidance of contact with people from the new culture Lack of ability to deal with even small problems

6. The adjustment for the cultural conflict A newcomer can try to develop social relationships with people from one’s own country,

with other newcomers, and with members of the new culture. Studies on cross-cultural adjustment suggest maintaining a balance between two

cultural patterns of behavior and beliefs can be helpful in the long term Newcomers can retain their individuality while becoming aware of differences. And of

course, some changes will have to be made. Feeling like a “fish out of water” shouldn’t last forever.