How have you adapted to a different culture?
I have constantly been in and out of different cultures (both living and visiting) and around people of different cultures my whole life. Recently i was asked to write about a specfic challenge where i had to adapt and how i handled it. But I have never thought about or have had to consciously take steps to over come culture shock. Please submitt your examples to jog my memory and help me reflect on how i did handle something. Not trying to cheat but just seriously stuck, plus i would love to hear your experiences.
Hey, I saw your posting and would like to help you out. Im from the Navajo Indian Rezervation and Moved to Italy about 4 years ago, I returned to the states about a year ago. I remember that when I was going thru culture shock, getting out and getting to know people really helped me out and staying at the aptartment was not good, because it just made me depressed. Being around other people was the key. Learning the language was a big factor, because when you can’t converse with another person of that culture it makes it super hard to adapt.
Be open the what the culture has to offer. An example is that in the Navajo culture men only shake hands and that is what I knew growing up, but in Italy it is very common that when you great another person you kiss them on both cheeks. This took a long long time to get used to.
i get a culture shock every time i go back to india to visit my family – i was born in india bu brought up in northern ireland, i dont speak the language so that doesnt help. And im a christian when all the rest of my family is hindu – its hard i find to distinguish culture from religion. The poverty is a major part of the culture shock , in particular its contrast with india’s wealth and how they sit side by side. But the biggest part is the people – the best part of the culture shock is how friendly everyone is!