Cultural Adaptation

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Cultural Adaptation

• Bong Joo Hwang, Ph.D.

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Cultural Adaptation

• Most international students and scholars spend
  the first few days in the U.S. settling in and
  getting adjusted to their new environment, but
  the process of adaptation may take for a few
  weeks to several months.

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Four Stages of Cultural Adaptation

• The Honeymoon Stage
• The Hostility Stage
• The Humor Stage
• The Home Stage

Taken from NAFSA Handout The Stages of Cultural
Adjustment
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What Other International Students Have to Say

• Dont stay alone in your room every night
• Go out with a friend to see the city
• Get involved with student clubs
• Travel around the U.S.
• Laugh at yourself if you make a mistake
• Do not be afraid to try new words or to practice
  your English

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U.S. Culture

• Friendship
• Hi! How are you?
• Work Ethic
• Diversity
• BART (http//oma.osu.edu/oma-administrative-office
  s/collaborative-diversity-initiative/bart.php)

(This information is meant to provide some
generalities about people in the U.S. but it does
not apply to all people from the U.S. )
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How to Cope with the Adaptation Process

• Learn about and experience the new culture.
• Meet people and make new friends both from your
  culture and from other cultures
• Expect differences and similarities.
• Maintain contact with family and friends back
  home.
• Exercise or find other ways to be physically
  active.

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How to Cope with the Adaptation Process cont.

• Get involved in an activity or with a group that
  you find interesting.
• Work on enhancing English skills, especially your
  conversational skills.
• Get more help by contacting an international
  student adviser or Counseling and Consultation
  Service (CCS)
• Individual counseling
• Group counseling
• Psychiatric treatment

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International Support Group

• Benefits of Attending the Group
• Getting to know other international students
• Very good source of support
• Practice of speaking English
• Fall quarter meeting
• Time Monday 200 330 P.M.
• Place CCS (4th Floor, Younkin Success Center)
• Contact Bong Joo Hwang (292-5766 or
  hwang.182_at_osu.edu) for more information

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