The Rotary Youth Exchange
Experience:
Culture Shock
and
Reverse Culture Shock
NAYEN Conference
2010
Dennis White, Ph.D.
dkwhite@itol.com
www.yeoresources.org
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Culture
An integrated system of
learned behavior patterns
that are characteristic of
any given society. It refers
to the total way of life,
including how people think,
feel and behave.
Metaphorically, culture
is the lens through
which we view the
world.
You can’t trust your eyes
when your imagination is
out of focus.
Mark Twain
The Cultural Iceberg
Conscious
behaviors
1/8th above
the surface
Unconscious
beliefs and
values
7/8ths below
the surface
When we think we know what we
are seeing or hearing, it is very
easy to make a mistake, especially
in language.
What do they mean?
• You are invited to take advantage of
the chambermaid.
Japanese hotel
•
I slaughter myself twice daily.
Israeli butcher
•
Ladies, leave your clothes here and
have a wonderful time.
French laundry
Dr. No
We don’t want a doctor
Titanic
Ship Outta Luck!
At first we will be dependent
upon translators – sometimes a
risky business
Sometimes, it’s just pronunciation
Ethnocentrism:
The universal
tendency for any
culture to see its own
values and practices
as natural and correct.
Ethnocentrism:
All cultures are
ethnocentric - and
must be to impart their
values to their
members.
I don’t feel we did wrong in taking
this great country away from
them. There were great numbers
of people who needed new land,
and the Indians were selfishly
trying to keep it for themselves.
John Wayne
“The world in which you were
born is just one model of reality.
Other cultures are not failed
attempts at being like you.
They are unique manifestations
of the human spirit ”.
Wade Davis
In James Hiltons’ novel, Lost Horizon,
An American stranded in Shangri-la says
to his Tibetan rescuer:
“I want to get back to civilization as
soon as possible.”
The Tibetan’s reply:
“Are you so very certain that you are
away from it?”
Ethnorelativism:
The acquired ability to
see many values and
behaviors as cultural
rather than universal.
Ethnorelativism:
This approach attempts
to understand values and
behaviors from the point
of view of that culture,
rather than as right or
wrong.
Ethnorelativism:
It assumes that one’s own
culture is no more central to
describing and evaluating
reality than any other regardless of one’s strongly
held preferences
“I see America through a
sharper lens - both her
strengths and her weaknesses
and I am tired of people who
uncritically accept everything
American as right.”
American Exchange Student
Ethnocentrism is
similar to
egocentrism.
Ethnorelativism is similar
to empathy.
The Golden Rule
Do unto others as you would have others
do unto you.
The Platinum Rule
Do unto others as they would
have you do unto them.
Real life examples:
•
Watching the moon landing in Iranian
theatres
•
Holding hands
In a new culture everything is
harder
Developing cultural
sensitivity and
competence requires
moving from
Ethnocentrism to
Ethnorelativism
One World or Many.doc
Developing Intercultural Sensitivity
The Experience of Difference
Denial
Defense
Minimization
Ethnocentric Stages
Acceptance
Adaptation
Integration
Ethnorelative Stages
Model developed by Dr.. Milton Bennett, Portland State University
Culture Shock
The profound sense of
disorientation and discomfort that
comes with extended travel or
living in a foreign culture markedly
different from one’s own.
Culture Shock.doc
Stages of Culture Shock:
•
•
•
•
Initial enthusiasm and euphoria
Irritability and negativism
Gradual adjustment and adaptation
Integration and bi-culturalism
The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc
Rotary Youth Exchange
Culture Shock Cycle
Months
Pre-Departure
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
Normal
Level of
Feelings
Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls
Return …...
Rotary Youth Exchange
Culture Shock Cycle
Months
Pre-Departure
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
Normal
Level of
Feelings
Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls
Return …...
Normal Distribution of Any
Cultural Trait
A typical student
Frequency
Amount of Trait
Example: Individualism vs. Group Orientation
Comparing Two Cultures
(on any given trait)
In this example, there is some overlap, but the two cultures are
mostly different
Culture Shock
After Adaptation
Returning To Home Culture
Reverse Culture Shock
Returning To Home Culture
Severe Reverse Culture
Shock
Returning To Home Culture
Most people anticipate some
degree of culture shock. Very
few people believe they will
experience reverse culture
shock.
Reverse Culture Shock
(Re-entry Shock)
The often unexpected and difficult period of
disorientation and readjustment experienced
after returning to one’s own culture after an
extended period of living abroad.
So You Think You're Home Now.doc
The Stages of Reverse Culture Shock are
almost the same as those of Culture
Shock
• Initial Euphoria (may be very brief or not
happen at all)
• Irritability and Negativism ( may be very
lengthy)
• Gradual Adaptation
• True Bi-Culturalism
Culture Shock and Reverse
Culture Shock are not just
unpleasant side effects of
international living.
They are the necessary
ingredients that bring about
quality intercultural education.
We can prepare for both forms of
culture shock by:
•
•
•
•
Anticipating CS and RCS.
“Normalizing” these phenomena.
Remembering that “compost happens”.
Remembering that, as new depths of
understanding develop, new waves of
culture shock emerge.
“Culture shock pushes me out of my comfort zone”
Under pressure, we tend to fall back on what is
comfortable, habitual, and unconscious.
Even when we know how to follow a cultural
practice, and can do it, the tendency is to fall
back.
“I love my country more now
than ever, but I am critical of
those who blindly accept
everything American as the
best, especially when they
have never been out of the
country.”
American Peace Corps Volunteer
How I Have Changed?
How Have I Changed.doc
An exercise using 44
statements that have often
been identified by exchange
students as significant
changes from the
experience.
How I Have Changed
One student’s response
My youth exchange year was one of incredible
change and growth for me. In addition to seeing
so much of the rest of the world, and making such
wonderful friends, I changed in ways I never knew
were possible.
How I Have Changed
One student’s response
I am more confident and positive when meeting
new people. I have a greater ability to empathize
with others and to put myself in their place when
making judgments. I have greater willingness to
take on new roles and tasks.
How I Have Changed
One student’s response
I have more ability to see myself objectively, in a
more realistic context. I understand more fully my
own strengths and weaknesses. I am more tolerant
of ambiguous situations and more open to
differing interpretations of them. I feel greater
respect and appreciation for my family.
How I Have Changed
One student’s response
And most of all, I feel more surely that common
bonds unite all human beings. Thank you, Rotary
for the best year of my life.
Dennis White, Ph.D.
207 S. 4th Ave.
Sturgeon Bay, WI. 54235
Telephone 920-746-1346
Fax 920-746-1347
Email dkwhite@itol.com
For more information,
visit www.yeoresources.org