1. Culture shock abroad and back home IdA I & II – 1st Networking Event 27 March 2012 Berlin Marion Scholten Will presumably be published in 2012. Q.v.: Bertels, Ursula und Bußmann, Claudia: Handbuch Interkulturelle Didaktik. Münster et al.

2. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 2 Ethnologie in Schule und Erwachsenenbildung – ESE e.V. Contribution towards better understanding between people of different cultural origins. Working areas: – Child and youth education – Adult education – Research and teaching – Publications – IdA I + II

3. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 3 Definition of Intercultural Competence Intercultural competence is the ability gained over a learning process to achieve the highest possible level of communication and understanding in direct or indirect interaction with people from different cultures.

4. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 4 1.Appropriation and acquisition of information and development of interest 2.Practising a change of perspective 3.Recognising and overcoming ethnocentrism 4.Reflecting on intercultural interactions 5.Promoting attitudes and values Aspects of intercultural competence from: Bertels, Ursula u.a.: Ethnologie in der Schule. Eine Studie zur Vermittlung Interkulturelle Kompetenz. Münster et al, 2004. P. 38 et seq.

5. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 5 Culture shock Adjustment process Registering / processing of rules of behaviour Psychological reaction to what is new and unfamiliar The way culture shock develops differs from person to person cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

6. Foreign culture shock model Euphoria Alienation Escalation Misunderstandings Communication amended pursuant to Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, page 19.

7. Culture shock – 1st phase: Euphoria High level of cultural competence in one's own culture; own culture is not questioned Sensory overload Fascination with the 'exotic' Selective perception of foreignness Honeymoon phase cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

8. Culture shock – 1st phase Euphoria "Everything is so different, much nicer than home!" "I could imagine living here!" "Everyone is so nice here!" "I've got to know so many people already!" We even got into a conversation outside the supermarket. The people show a real interest". "I've never experienced anything like that before!" „Here it‘s like in paradise!" "I'm coping much better with the language than I thought."

9. Culture shock – 2nd phase: Alienation Increasing awareness of strangeness of new culture Non-validity of internalised behavioural patterns Rules, ideas of morality and values need to be re-learned Stress, uncertainty, disillusionment and disorientation cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

10. Culture shock – 2nd phase: Alienation First difficulties with social contact appear Self-doubt, self-blame There is a longing for the 'familiar' 'Taste of home' phase Withdrawal, lots of sleep – "controlled withdrawal", taking time out cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

11. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 11 Culture shock - 2nd phase Alienation "Yes ≠ Yes" "What's wrong with me? I've never known myself to be like this". "I'm so dependent!" "I don't understand anything any more!" "I can't be myself!" "It's all too much for me here!"

12. Culture shock – 3rd phase: Escalation Apportioning blame to foreign culture What was once positive is now considered negative Glorification of one's own culture Superiority, ethnocentrism, anger Homesickness, illness May result in termination of stay abroad Exchange is helpful ('fellow sufferers', 'cultural agents') cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

13. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 13 Culture shock - 3rd phase Escalation "They treat me like a child!" Friendship?! It's just superficial hypocrisy! They haven't a clue what friendship is!" "Nothing works here!" "They're lying to me and enjoying giving me the runaround!" "Why don't they just say what's wrong? I much prefer our way of doing things." "You just wouldn't get that at home!" "I have to get away from here!" "I don't trust anyone here!"

14. Culture shock – 4th phase: Misunderstandings Recognition that difficulties with communication are based on cultural differences No apportionment of blame Clarification/enlightenment cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

15. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 15 Culture shock - 4th phase Misunderstandings "I see!" 'Lying' was necessary, anything else would have been rude by their cultural standards of behaviour." "We had even spoken about it in advance." "Now I understand it!" "There is actually method behind this madness."

16. Culture shock – 5th phase: Communication Learning behavioural patterns, standards and values in the foreign culture, misunderstandings become less frequent Acquisition of competencies in both cultures Rapprochement cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

17. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 17 Culture shock – 5th phase Communication "Thankfully nobody really took offence at my behaviour." "Once again I can imagine staying on here." "In hindsight it was just a funny misunderstanding." "I've learned a lot about myself and my own culture." "Things here don't always run according to plan, but I've got used to that. If only people in my country could sometimes be a bit more relaxed about things too."

18. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 18 Culture shock on returning home Own culture shock / reverse culture shock Usually more severe, as a reintegration into one's own culture is not anticipated Same model applies cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

19. Culture shock model Reverse culture shock Euphoria Alienation Escalation Misunderstandings Communication amended pursuant to Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, page 19.

20. Own culture shock 1st phase: Euphoria Enjoying all that is familiar: home, family, friends, food, freedoms, hobbies etc. Phase is much shorter than abroad cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

21. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 21 Own culture shock – 1st phase Euphoria "I'm so looking forward to my own room and some more privacy.” "I wonder if my mother will prepare my favourite dish." "It‘s my friend’s birthday tomorrow, then I'll finally see everybody again."

22. Own culture shock 2nd phase: Alienation Uncertainty, as one is not aware of the personal change Blame is apportioned to oneself Important to take time to adjust cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

23. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 23 Own culture shock - 2nd phase Alienation "I was really looking forward to coming home but it's all so different to what I imagined." "I can't really connect properly with my friends any more." "Nobody is interested in me and my experiences!" "Everyone says I've changed so much!" "I don't know where I belong any more."

24. Own culture shock 3rd phase: Escalation Apportioning blame to one's own culture Glorification of foreign culture Arrogance, anger, craving for travel Withdrawal cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

25. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 25 Own culture shock - 3rd phase Escalation "Don't they have any manners?" "Let people off first! They push like a flock of sheep here!" "That's just typical!" "You just wouldn't get that in XY!" "I need to get away from this place again as fast as possible!" "You haven't a clue what I'm talking about!" "My friends just hang around – and they're happy with that." cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

26. Own culture shock 4th phase: Misunderstandings Recognition that difficulties with reintegration are based on changes on both sides No apportionment of blame Different perception Clarification/enlightenment cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

27. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 27 Own culture shock - 4th phase Misunderstandings "We've all changed." "I can't expect everyone to be interested in my experiences if I don't even ask what's been happening here." "I would just never have imagined that I would find it so difficult to adapt." cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

28. Culture shock – 5th phase: Communication Re-acquisition of competencies in both cultures Communication and discussions "Reconciliation with oneself" cf. Wagner, W. (1996): Kulturschock Deutschland. Hamburg: Rotbuch Verlag, S. 19ff.

29. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 29 Own culture shock – 5th phase Communication "It just took a while until we got used to each other again." "On coming back home I viewed myself, my surroundings and my culture in a different light again." "It's actually quite nice, too, when you feel so at home that you don't want to go abroad."

30. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 30 Ways of preparing for the culture shock of life abroad Addressing the key elements of culture shock (and own culture shock) before you leave Make a self-assessment, identify the findings and take them with you abroad. Self-reflection, observation by support staff and participants, learning diary Informal discussions, 1-to-1 and weekly group discussions.

31. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 31 Ways of preparing for the culture shock of life abroad Conflict management training Develop strategies to overcome 'down' phases – Take familiar things with you Stress management techniques – What do I do otherwise to combat stress? Take time and play for time with the desire to return home

32. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 32 Preparation for culture shock on returning home Review of key issues shortly before returning home – What am I looking forward to? – What will have changed? – Will I have changed? – What can I do if I'm missing XY etc.? – …

33. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 33 Preparation for culture shock on returning home Dealing with issues in the group is important Base the course of the project on this as far as possible Plan the 'post-processing' phases – Joint teaching phases – Formal and informal follow-up meetings – Communications structures (mail, blog etc.) – Maintaining foreign contact

34. Kulturschock I 27.03.2012 I 34 Knowledge of the culture shock is helpful and easy to implement methodically Thank you for your attention!