Cultural awareness Cultural Awareness Agenda General info what

Cultural awareness

Cultural Awareness Agenda General info - what is Culture? - Cultural Adjustment & Adaptation Tips for Cultural Adjustment Short Break Culture Panel & Questions

The iceberg metaphor appearence, fashion, language, food, art, customs, social behavior… values, beliefs, attitudes, religion, living conditions, history…

Examples • • • First name basis with professor Academic performance Right to academic support Like to be on time, punctual Dating habits Drinking habits “Fika” Take shoes off indoors ”Bus behavior” – personal space Waiting in line

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Cultural Adaptation/Adjustment Adapting to a new culture means… • Individual differences … but also • Stages of Cultural Adjustment • A continuous on-going process

Stages of Cultural Adjustment • The Honeymoon Stage • The Hostility Stage/Culture Shock • The Initial Adjustment Stage • The Integration/Acceptance Stage • The Home Stage/Re-entry Shock

The Culture Shock • Also – the Hostility Stage • Confrontation with different behaviors and values • Confusion, frustration, anxiety, anger … • Feeling homesick • Low self-esteem/confidence • Impatience, judgmentalism – rejection of new culture

The Culture Shock cont. Academic difficulties… • Language • Communication • Concentration and Memory • ”Incompetence” – feeling less intelligent • Procrastination

Read and discuss…

General TIPS for successful intercultural adjustment • Establish routines – take care of yourself • Also, create study routines; where, when and how to study. Find a balance between studies and free time • Be active – explore your surroundings • Exercise e. g. if you played tennis back home then join a tennis club. If you are not use to exercise, then go for walks

General TIPS for successful intercultural adjustment cont. • During the dark season – try to get as much (sun)light as possible • Meet people, talk to people, create support networks -Join a nation, student union or other student organization - Check the International Newsletter and go to Hälsningsgillet! - Remember “fika” is a good way to get to know Swedes • Stay in touch with family and friends back home. Find a balance between old and new friends

General TIPS for successful intercultural adjustment cont. • Try to become aware of your own cultural background (values, traditions etc. ) – it helps when trying to understand a new culture • Be aware of the differences (communication styles, learning styles, academic demands etc. ) and learn to accept them without judgment • Lower your expectations when it comes to your initial academic performance. It is NORMAL to experience difficulties regarding concentration, memory etc. during a transitional period

General TIPS for successful intercultural adjustment cont. • Adapting to a new culture includes some degree of culture shock. This can be difficult to handle on your own. Be open to your reactions, talk to friends and don’t hesitate to contact the Student Health Centre if needed

Courses and seminars • Follow up seminar on Cultural awareness 11 th of November • Stress course • Mindfulness course • Procrastination seminar

Welcome to the Student Health Centre! www. lunduniversity. lu. se/student-health

ENJOY!