Cultural Practices of Writing I

Learning How You Learn Understand culture shock Learn from your experiences through literacy narratives Apply to coming to the university/USA

Overview Goals Objectives Instructions Reflections Adaptations

Day 1

1.Open Google Earth/a map of the world 2.Identify where you've come from and connect it to MSU's location 3.Compile a list of words to describe your coming to MSU from your original place Day 1 Objectives: Frontloading Identifying experiences with culture shock

Freewrite for 3 minutes: What were your first impressions of MSU? o What did you think, feel, taste, smell, or hear? Day 1 Objectives: Constructing Defining experiences with culture shock

Day 1 Objectives: Constructing Defining experiences with culture shock Freewrite for another 3 minutes: After a week, what were some of your impressions of this place? o What did you think, feel, taste, smell, or hear?

Day 1 Objectives: Constructing Defining experiences with culture shock Freewrite for another 3 minutes: After a month, what were some of your impressions of this place? o What did you think, feel, taste, smell, or hear?

1.Read Phases of Culture Shock 2.Share freewrites with a partner Which phase of CS did they seem to fit? 3.Assign each phase to one area of their freewrite Day 1 Objectives: Evaluating Analyzing experiences with culture shock

The Phases of Culture Shock

PHASE 1: The Honeymoon Excitement Desire to learn about host culture From Brink and Saunders, “The Phases of Culture Shock”

PHASE 2: The Disenchantment Frustration with differences Loneliness and anxiety Sense of nostalgia for home From Brink and Saunders, “The Phases of Culture Shock”

PHASE 3: The Beginning Resolution Adjustment to host culture Participation in daily life and events From Brink and Saunders, “The Phases of Culture Shock”

PHASE 4: The Effective Function Comfort with host culture Possible reverse culture shock when returning home. From Brink and Saunders, “The Phases of Culture Shock”

Dive In and Culture Shock Dive In is a website that allows for students to share their stories about culture shock and resources they've found useful in adapting and overcoming the phases of culture shock Learning to learn from culture shock

Dive In and Culture Shock Emma: guanguan-liu-chinese-student/ guanguan-liu-chinese-student/ Q: park-korean-student/ park-korean-student/ Matt: student/ student/ Lisa: Take a look at some of the example writings: Learning to learn from culture shock

For homework: 1.Reread your freewrites and partner’s thoughts 2.Take a piece of paper On one side: Summarize each phase of culture shock into your own words On other side: Cut and paste your own understanding of which phase you are in and explain why Day 1 Objectives: Evaluating Analyzing experiences with culture shock

What if there is no “honeymoon phase” in all experiences of culture shock? What if someone doesn’t go through all the stages of culture shock? Day 1 Reflections

Day 1 Adaptions

Day 2

Apply the four phases related to your experience with a different culture Talk about activities (reading, writing, speaking, listening) that helped advance you through the phases Do a 3-minute freewrite: o What strategies have helped you learn in these new cultures? Day 2 Objectives: Frontloading Learning to learn from culture shock

1.Share this freewrite in groups of Collect the strategies used in these situations 3.List them on the board Day 2 Objectives: Constructing Learning to learn from culture shock

1.Write with a with a partner or alone a set of recommendations for other students experiencing culture shock 2.Share this with the class and show:  It’s a normal thing to experience  There are a lot of strategies to deal with this Day 2 Objectives: Extending Learning to learn from culture shock

For homework: Read Xia’s short piece on culture shock and take note of his coping recommendations Consider each recommendation: o How well does this apply? Does it help find new strategies? What isn't taken into consideration? Day 2 Objectives: Extending Learning to learn from culture shock

Day 2 Reflections

Day 2 Adaptions

Day 3

Discuss reflection on how well the list of coping strategies applies to you –Do you agree with or question Xia’s understanding of Elbow’s doubting and believing game? Share your thoughts on the homework by doing a survey of agree/disagree Link: Day 3 Objectives: Frontloading Learning to learn from culture shock

With a partner, play a believer and a doubter with Xia’s recommendations Debate the quality of the recommendations Every 2-3 minutes, switch roles After, reflect on each of the recommendations and compare these to the survey Which recommendations remain solid? Which were questioned? Day 3 Objectives: Constructing Learning to learn from culture shock

Your best friend from Cuba experiences culture shock after she lost her way to the laundromat when she slips and falls during the first snow of the year (her first time seeing snow). She then is sorely disappointed that the grocery store doesn’t carry yucca and plantains—her comfort foods. On top of that, she was told on by a dorm mate for speaking Spanish to another friend from Cuba. Write her a letter giving her some information about culture shock and recommendations. If you know someone experiencing something similar, write to them. Day 3 Objectives: Extending Learning to learn from culture shock

Day 3: Reflections

Day 3: Adaptations

Day 4

Share your letters in class in a small group Who has the most informative letter? What aspects of the letter make it helpful or well-designed? Day 4 Objectives: Frontloading Applying culture shock and learning to learn in experience to US

Decide on criteria for what makes good recommendations and create a rubric for the letter Create a revision plan to discuss with your instructor Day 4 Objectives: Constructing Applying culture shock and learning to learn in experience to US

For homework Revise the letter In 1-2 pages, explain if culture shock is helpful framework in coming to MSU –Show the ways in whether it applies to your experiences –NOTE: You can upload your writings to the share on the Dive In website after revision Day 4 Objectives: Extending Applying culture shock and learning to learn in experience to US

Day 4: Reflections

Day 4: Adaptations