Culture Shock
By Jessie Chen
In our first gateway class in the MBA program, we watched a
video named Cold Water, which discussed the culture shock of
students in Boston University. I was quite impressed when
watching the video. As an International student in the U.S.
for almost a half year, I am still trying my best effort to
learn American values, while I also went through some of the
shocks and difficulties mentioned in this video.
My favorite line from Cold Water is “the person who denies
the culture will fail to adapt to adapt to the new
environment”. In my opinion, international students should
have certain coping skills that help them to pass the
culture shock phases.
Firstly, the international student needs to study purposely
on the destination country and new culture before going
abroad. Take myself for example. Before coming to study in
the U.S., I entered two courses organized by an ESL school
in my hometown city. These two courses were mainly about the
American culture, ethics, customs, and taboos in both social
and business aspects. I did not find them helpful until I
arrived in the US. My study on the US culture helped me to
adapt to the life here rapidly and successfully.
As well, the international student needs to be open to the
new culture. My suggestion is to live like a four-year old
child in the new environment. After I have arrived in the
US, I intended to hang out with local citizens as often as
possible, and this definitely helped me to adapt to their
accents, slangs, customs, social life, and culture. I learnt
a lot from them. I also found that local people were
interested in my culture, which is quite different from
theirs, while I was learning from them.
Do not feel offended when they ask you something that
is common sense in your home country. I always felt proud to
introduce my own culture to my friends by answering their
questions. Being an open person will benefit the
international student to adjust to the new environment in no
time.
Thirdly, the international student can start his or her own
adventure in the new city or new country. Getting lost in
the new place is a fabulous way to establish your
familiarity with the new environment. I like walking down
the streets in different areas of the town, and each time
when I was walking, I could always find something new, which
was like a surprise to me and delighted my whole day. Do not
be afraid of getting lost. You can find someone to ask the
direction, and that might be the beginning of a new
friendship.
The coping skills of an international student in a new
culture are extremely important. Be confident and be open.
Remember, those who deny the new culture will fail.