应对文化冲击
Studying abroad can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life, but it can start as a series of bewildering and frustrating incidents that leave you longing for home. It is valuable to take some time to investigate the things that will happen to you as you mingle with people who maintain different values, 特征, 和特点. By thinking and preparing for these encounters, you will certainly enrich your study abroad experience.
什么是文化差异?
We are surrounded by elements in our own culture that influence who we are and how we relate to the world. Since we have grown up with this culture, we are comfortable in it and sometimes unaware of the characteristics of our culture until confronted with contradicting ideas. Our values and attitudes about who we are and how things should be have been shaped by our experiences in our native culture.
When you suddenly lose cues and symbols that orient you to situations of what we consider "normal" daily life or when the cultural facial expressions, 手势, 词汇也不再熟悉, the psychological discomfort that we feel in this foreign situation is commonly known as culture shock.
对文化差异的反应
Culture shock is a logical reaction to differences we encounter in a foreign culture. Luckily, it is only one phase in the process of getting involved in the culture of a foreign country. The various phases that you may experience include:
- Being fascinated with all the new things you are experiencing
- Feeling uncomfortable because you feel as if you don't belong
- Rejecting and labeling the foreign culture and people as being strange
- Learning to decipher foreign behavior and customs
- Accepting and enjoying the foreign culture
Our emotional reactions to these various phases will influence how we relate to local citizens. 自然, being excited and fascinated with foreign customs will help pave the way for positive interaction. 相反, acting with hostility and aggression toward "strange and un-American" customs will do little more than perpetuate an unfriendly American image and cause foreigners to want to avoid Americans.
为文化差异做准备
- In order to gain some perspective, read as much as possible about where you are going.
- 好的资源包括旅游指南, foreign and international newspapers and magazines, 小说, 戏剧, 诗歌, 以及政治和经济分析.
- Talk with international students and veteran travelers who have been where you will be traveling.
- Ask your Office of Global Programs for any advice or recommendations.
目标感
Have a clear idea of what you specifically want to accomplish by studying abroad. Know your priorities for what you feel is important to experience. Keep an open mind and be willing to pursue the unexpected. Take advantage of opportunities presented by your host family and new friends.
It might be helpful to try to figure out where you want to travel by answering the following questions:
- 我是谁?? (Awareness of your personal beliefs and attitudes)
- 我从哪里来? (对U的认识.S. 文化信仰和习俗)
- 我要去哪里?? (Awareness of foreign culture customs, behaviors, and values)
- 我为什么要去? (To practice a foreign language, experience different cultures, see famous sights)
- 我愿意考虑什么? (How open will you be to different ways of doing things? Will you "try on" some of the behavior and values of the host country?)
克服文化冲击
以开放的心态应对文化冲击, 积极的态度, 适应性强, 幽默感, 还有很多常识. Give yourself time to adapt to the cultural differences. You may even find that many of the differences are a pleasant change from the way of life in the U.S. Taking an active interest in finding meanings and values behind unfamiliar customs expands your horizons and adds the wealth of another culture to your experience and knowledge.
文化差异与你有何关系
Discovering cultural differences and experiencing "culture shock" are both powerful learning tools. You gain a high degree of self-understanding and develop as a person. By studying abroad, you get an excellent education on what it means to be a U.S. citizen and also how the rest of the world lives and thinks.
Don't try to find a "little United States" wherever you go; minimize your comparisons with home. If you constantly use America as a base for your thoughts, you will miss so many of the beautiful experiences your host country has to offer.
There will be difficult and even frustrating times, but bad moments (even days) are quickly forgotten with time and patience. When you return, you'll realize that even the bad experiences are priceless.