Masters Class 2: 24/09/2012

Today's lesson was about stereotypes and culture shock.  We discussed how stereotypes are formed and how these stereotypes can influence our opinions of a group of people or a country in general and how this can manifest itself in culture shock.  Here are some notes from the class:

Stereotypes

•  A characteristic that has been given to a group of people.
• These characteristics are generally oversimplified.
• Stereotypes are not always true and are learned conceptions of people.

Culture Shock

• Culture Shock: How charming things can turn into a nightmare!
• “The definition of culture shock? When things that were quaint and charming when you arrived in a country suddenly seem stupid and backwards, that's culture shock.”     JustLanded.com

Culture Shock can be broken down into 4 phases:

Honeymoon phase

• When you first arrive.
• The person is generally happy with the decision to embark on the adventure and is enjoying leaning about the new culture.
• This period is full of observations and new discoveries. Like most honeymoon periods, this stage eventually ends.

Negotiation phase

• This part usually comes after about 3 months. 
• Those romantic differences that you noticed in the beginning are now going to be unavoidable and cause you to feel anxiety, frustration or stress.
• Now you start to notice the language barriers and the stark differences between cultures, you start to            disconnect and even resent the culture.
• Start to feel isolated or lonely due to differences.

Adjustment phase

• Around 6 months to a year.
• One grows accustomed to the new culture and develops routines.
• The culture begins to make sense, and negative reactions and responses to the culture are reduced.

Mastery phase

• In the mastery stage assignees are able to participate fully and comfortably in the host culture.
• Mastery does not mean total conversion; people often keep many traits from their earlier culture, such as accents and languages.

Reverse Culture Shock

• Occurs when returning to your home country.
• Your friends and family from home don’t understand your experiences and aren’t interested in hearing about every detail of your experience.
• You feel out of place and isolated once again.

 Videos Shown in Class:

Tony Miotto Paris vs. New York

Cliché English Version

For more information about culture shock please check out these resources:

• Oberg, Dr. Lalervo. "Culture Shock and the problem of Adjustment to the new cultural environments". World Wide Classroom Consortium for International Education & Multicultural studies. 
• Barna, LaRay M. "HOW CULTURE SHOCK AFFECTS COMMUNICATION." Communication 5.1 (n.d.): 1-18. SocINDEX with Full Text. EBSCO.
• Huff, Jennifer L. "Parental attachment, reverse culture shock, perceived social support, and college adjustment of missionary children." Journal of Psychology & Theology 29.3 (2001): 246-264.

Homework Option #1
Write about how stereotypes influence culture shock.  Explain using your own experiences.
250-300 words, preferrably typed and double spaced.
Due 01/10/2012 IN CLASS