Cross Cultural AdjustmentOctober 18, 2007

Today’s Goals

• Goals and HW (2:00-2:05)• Warm-up dialogue and discussion (2:05-2:15)• Discuss cross-cultural adaptation and U-curve

(2:15-2:30)• Statement of adjustment activity and reflection

questions (2:30 – 2:50)• Cross-cultural Adjustment – prepare skits with

Germans based on their experiences (2:50 – 3:15)

Homework for next time

• Report – visit to a foreign place (post to blog)

Warm-up• Cross Cultural Dialogue #2 « Out of Order »Cross Cultural Dialogue #2 « Out of Order »• Sharon is American; Natasha is RussianSharon is American; Natasha is Russian

– Natasha: Excuse me, but the elevator is out of order.– Sharon: Really? Whom should we talk to?– Natasha: Talk to?– Sharon: To report it.– Natasha: I have no idea.– Sharon: Oh, I’m sorry; I thought you lived here too.– Natasha: But I do.

Insights on the dialogue• Americans – doers; we act upon a problem;

take charge; want to make a difference; an activist culture

• Russians – do nothing but wait and see what happens; goal is to endure; instinct is not to act but to cope

What cultural, historical, social influences contribute to our reactions?

Cross-Cultural Adjustment• What is cross-cultural adjustment?

• Understanding and adjusting….– Physically (food, transportation, etc.)– Socially (values, beliefs, ways of doing)– Internally (integrate both cultures)

Cultural adaptation process (U-curve)

• 4 keywords referred to as the 4 H's.

• Honeymoon = Honeymoon Stage

• Hostility = Culture Shock Stage

• Humor = Adjustment Stage

• at Home = Adaptation Stage

Cultural adaptation process (U-curve)How would you characterize each stage?How would you characterize each stage?

Statements of adjustment Activity (SA p. 95)

• Think about the adjustment and how you would react to someone going through the process.

• Read p. 95 and fill out graph (handout) with German partner on p. 96

Reflection Questions

• Why is Kurt’s comment listed in both stages 1 and 4?

• What reaction did you have to each of the students’ comments? What advice would you offer each student?

• What would your U curve look like if your study abroad is 2 months? One year?

Activity on Cross-Cultural Adjustment

• In groups of 2, work with one of the German teachers to find an instance of cross cultural adjustment for them since their arrival in the US. Take notes and be prepared to act out a short dialogue to the class.

Share skits!• Topics…..