1. Cultural Adjustment With… The Woodbridge Board 2007-2008

2. Board Introduction PositionNameHometown(s) PresidentBecca GongSeattle/Beijing FIP CoordinatorAllegra RichardsGeneva/New York SecretaryAllie ChenHong Kong Social ChairMajla CustoMostar Director of Fundraising & Alumni Affairs Nadim RabaiaJerusalem Director of Publicity & Student Liaisons Manisha PanditaNew Delhi/Kuwait Director of WIACOr GadishMalkiya/Quito

3. “Culture Shock”  Symptoms:  Sadness, loneliness, melancholy  Insomnia, narcolepsy  Change in appetite (both ways)  Loss of identity, feeling lost  Lack of confidence, feeling inadequate  Homesickness Allie

4. Stages of Culture Shock  1. “Honeymoon” stage - everything is new and exciting  2. Difficult stage - symptoms arise  3. Adaptation stage - get adjusted  4. Acceptance stage - integration  5. “Re-entry shock” stage - cultural adjustment the other way around! Becca

5. How to Fight It  Keep busy, be active  Count your blessings, stay confident  Be patient, be constructive  Don’t try too hard  Open yourself to new possibilities  Keep in touch with home  Seek support and advice Majla

6. Reverse Culture Shock  You’ll find yourself changed when you next go home -- but that’s what education is all about!  Open up new connections to alums  Help people at home to also come study abroad! (Harvard Admissions Office presentations) Manisha

7. American Culture  Open in personal expression  Yet closed in some areas (manners, rules of behavior important)  Ease but sometimes transience of friendships  Frankness and honesty  Culture of help (advisors, therapists)  Concept of time - rushed existence Or

8. Differences  Greetings: The “How are you?” line  Personal Space  Weather (cold winters)  Food Nadim

9. Get Used To…  U.S. Spelling. They grade you for it in Expos!  When writing numbers: -7- vs. 7  Using ‘.’ and ‘,’ in #s: 1,360 vs. 36.5%  Writing dates: Month/Day/Year. 11/1/87 is Nov. 1, not Jan. 11.  Refer to handout (conversions, money) Allegra

10. Social Etiquette  Tipping: 15%. “Service sector” jobs depend on tipping. Leave cash on table, or write into credit card charge.  Waiters/waitresses, cab drivers, hairdressers/barbers, bellboys/luggage carriers.  RSVPing is important  Thank-you notes for recommendation letters Allie

11. American Holidays  October: Columbus Day, Halloween  November: Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving (Woodbridge celebrates!)  December: Christmas, Hanukkah  January: New Year’s (celebrated on the eve), MLK Day  February: Valentine’s Day  April: April Fool’s Day  May: Mother’s Day  June: Father’s Day  July: Independence Day Allegra

12. Identity  New aspects to your identity added by studying abroad  Experience as a dual-citizen or American in the international community Becca

13. Harvard Culture  Fast-paced, busy  Many acquaintances  Great opportunities means great opportunity cost  Learn to step back from the “Harvard bubble,” put problems in perspective Majla