Cultural Adjustment With The Woodbridge Board 2007 2008

Cultural Adjustment With… The Woodbridge Board 2007 -2008

Board Introduction Position Name Hometown(s) President Becca Gong Seattle/Beijing FIP Coordinator Allegra Richards Geneva/New York Secretary Allie Chen Hong Kong Social Chair Majla Custo Mostar Director of Fundraising Nadim Rabaia & Alumni Affairs Jerusalem Director of Publicity & Student Liaisons Manisha Pandita New Delhi/Kuwait Director of WIAC Or Gadish Malkiya/Quito

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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