International culture shock

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Foreign students discuss their experiences with culture shock at the JCCC 2 the MAX program meeting on September 18, 2013. Photos by Julia Larberg.
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By Katelyn Larson

When an international student comes to the college, not only does it mean they come from a different country, it means they come from a different culture. By its definition, culture is learned and shared human patterns for living. Simply put, the way we live our lives day-to-day.

As one of the many JCCC 2 the MAX programs offered on campus, “Surviving Culture Shock,” gave insight to the anxiety produced when a person moves to a completely new environment. Its symptoms include sadness, depression, anger, vulnerability and low self-esteem to name a few. It comes in five stages: the honeymoon stage, the distress stage, the re-integration stage, the autonomy stage and the independence stage.

The honeymoon stage is marked by the initial excitement of being in a new place. The distress stage is when the person experiences withdrawal and irritability. The re-integration stage is when the person begins to adjust to their new environment. The autonomy stage is when the person begins to master their newly acquired culture.

Finally, the independence stage is when the person experiences what is known as reverse culture shock. Reverse culture shock is when the person has become completely comfortable with their new lifestyle and their new culture has become their only culture.

There are a number of international students who study on campus through the college’s foreign exchange program, as well as students who move here from other countries.

Leslye Moraes, lead student assistant, International and Immigrant Student Services, said one way to cope with culture shock is to be physically active, like joining a sports team. Another is through relaxation or meditation. Joining any social group or club can help create a sense of belonging.

Bruce Harvey, counselor, said the important thing to remember as someone experiencing culture shock, is that your ability to speak the new language is not equal to your intelligence.

“The things that seem so common to one culture can appear so out of the ordinary in another,” Harvey said.

This is why culture shock can cause increasing amounts of stress on those who experience it, according to Harvey.

Ani Mamisashvili, a student who is originally from the Republic of Georgia, experienced culture shock first hand upon arriving in the U.S.

“The first thing I remember when I arrived at the airport was thinking, ‘Why is everyone wearing flip flops?’” said Mamisashvili.

Mei-Wen Wang, a student who came to the United States from Taiwan six years ago, says culture shock affected her in a way that caused her to become different from her usual self. In high school, she came off as shy.

“I spoke five sentences a day at most,” said Wang, “I was afraid I’d say something wrong and I didn’t want anyone to laugh at me.”

Wang said the college has changed all of that for her and she feels much more like herself again.

If you are experiencing culture shock, or know someone who is, the International and Immigrant Student Services, located in COM 306, are available and prepared to help.

For more information about other JCCC 2 the MAX programs, visit jccc.edu/ campus-center.

Contact Katelyn Larson, reporting correspondent, at klarso27@jccc.edu.

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