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UTSA Study Abroad Program

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This may help you view your host culture in a more positive way. ... Make an effort to restore communication by making friends in your host culture. ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: UTSA Study Abroad Program


1
SIGNS AND SOLUTIONSIntercultural Adjustment,
Re-entry Shock, Mental Health Concerns
  • UTSA Study Abroad Program
  • Shawanda Woods, PsyD
  • UTSA Counseling Services
  • RWC1.810
  • 210-458-4140

2
What is Intercultural Adjustment?A.K.A. Culture
Shock
  • The emotional and behavioral reaction to living,
    studying, and working in another culture. It
    usually involves anxiety that results from losing
    familiar signs and symbols of social interaction.
    Culture Shock occurs when ones values and ways
    of viewing the world clash with the values and
    viewpoints of the new cultural environment.
  • The Cross Cultural Adjustment Cycle-each stage in
    this process is characterized by symptoms or
    outward and inward signs representing certain
    kinds of behavior.
  • Culture Shock-Expectations For Going Abroad and
    Returning. Gortner, Eva-Maria, Rice University
    Counseling Center.
  • www.isc.sdsu.edu/study_abroad/accepted-culture-sho
    ck.html

3
Common Signs
  • Extreme homesickness
  • Feelings of helplessness/dependency
  • Disorientation and isolation
  • Depression and sadness
  • Hyper-irritability, may include inappropriate
    anger and hostility
  • Sleep and eating disturbances
  • Loss of focus and ability to complete tasks
  • Excessive critical reactions to host
    culture/stereotyping
  • Feeling sick much of the time
  • Excessive drinking
  • Recreational drug dependency
  • Extreme concerns over sanitation, safety, and
    being taking advantage of

4
Cross Cultural Adjustment Cycle
5
Stages of Intercultural Adjustment
  • Honeymoon Period Initially, you will probably be
    fascinated and excited by everything new.
    Usually, visitors are at first overjoyed to be in
    a new culture.
  • Culture Shock You are immersed in new problems
    housing, transportation, food, language and new
    friends. Fatigue may result from continuously
    trying to comprehend and use the second language.
    You may wonder, "Why did I come here?"
  • Initial Adjustment Everyday activities such as
    housing and going to school are no longer major
    problems. Although you may not yet be perfectly
    fluent in the language spoken, basic ideas and
    feelings in the second language can be expressed.
  • Mental Isolation You have been away from your
    family and good friends for a long period of time
    and may feel lonely. Many still feel they cannot
    express themselves as well as they can in their
    native language. Frustrations and sometimes a
    loss of self-confidence result. Some individuals
    remain at this stage.
  • Acceptance and Integration You have established
    a routine (e.g. work, school, social life). You
    have accepted the habits, customs, foods and
    characteristics of the people in the new culture.
    You feel comfortable with friends, associates,
    and the language of the country.
  • Return Anxiety, Re-Entry Shock, Re-Integration
    These stages should be mentioned, even at
    Orientation, because of the very important part
    they play in a visitor's stay in the new culture.
    It is interesting to note that REENTRY SHOCK can
    be more difficult than the initial CULTURE SHOCK.
  • Resource material The International Services
    Office, The George Washington University,
    Washington D.C. Original source unknown.

6
Remedies and Solutions
  • Communication
  • Ease Stress
  • Work on understanding the language
  • Pay attention
  • Set your assumptions and values aside
  • Withhold judgment
  • Be complete and explicit
  • Keep Active
  • Introduce Yourself/Make Friends
  • Read
  • Exercise
  • Community Activities
  • Remember your Family
  • BE PATIENT

7
Solutions (contd).
  • Keep in touch with friends and family at home.
  • Try to look for logical reasons why things
    happen. This may help you view your host culture
    in a more positive way.
  • Try not to concentrate on the negative things
    about your host culture and do not hang around
    people who do.
  • Make an effort to restore communication by making
    friends in your host culture.
  • Keep your sense of humor!
  • Set small goals for yourself as high expectations
    may be difficult to meet.
  • Speak the language of the country you are in and
    do not worry if you sometimes make a fool of
    yourself doing it! (Talk to children. Their
    language level will be similar to yours!)
  • Take care of yourself by exercising, getting
    enough sleep, eating properly and doing things
    you enjoy.
  • Try to fit into the rhythm of life in your host
    culture. Adjust to their time schedule for meals
    and work.
  • Find out where people meet and socialize. Make an
    effort to go to those places and observe.
  • Draw on your own personal resources for handling
    stress. You have done it many times before and
    you can do it again!

8
Depression
  • SIGNS
  • SOLUTIONS
  • Significantly depressed mood or absence of mood
  • Inability to experience please or feel interest
    in daily life
  • Insomnia or Hypersomnia nearly every day
  • Substantial change in appetite, eating patterns
    or weight
  • Fatigue or energy loss
  • Diminished ability to concentrate
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
  • Inappropriate feelings of guilt or self-criticism
  • A lack of sexual desire
  • Suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviors
  • Seek early intervention which may modify the
    severity of your depression
  • Reduce or eliminate use of alcohol or drugs
  • Exercise or engage in physical activity
  • Eat a proper, well balanced diet
  • Obtain adequate sleep
  • Seek emotional support from family and friends
  • Focus on the positive aspects of life
  • Pace yourself, modify your schedule, set
    realistic goals
  • Eliminate or reduce unnecessary tasks
  • Consult with a physician if you are experiencing
    any medical problems

9
Suicide Prevention
  • Signs
  • Solutions
  • 70 of all people committing suicide give some
    clue as to their intentions before they make an
    attempt.
  • Giving away possessions
  • Putting affairs in order
  • Making a will
  • Withdrawal
  • Changes in eating, sleeping patterns, loss of
    interest in prior activities or relationships
  • SUDDEN Intense lift in spirits
  • Remain calm
  • Deal directly with the topic of suicide
  • Encourage problem solving and positive actions
  • Get assistance
  • Most suicides can be prevented by sensitive
    responses to the person in crisis.

10
Helpful Resources
  • http//www.medilexicon.com/hospitalsdirectory.php
  • International Society of Travel Medicine
  • StudyAbroad.com Handbook
  • US Center for Disease Control and Prevention
    Travelers Health
  • US Department of State Consular Services Medical
    Information for Americans Traveling Abroad
  • The Center for Global Education Study Abroad
    Student Handbook Medical Care and Insurance
  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
    CDC, Travel Health Tips for Students Studying
    Abroad
  • World Health Organization, WHO, International
    Travel and Health
  • NAFSA Optimizing Health Care in International
    Educational Exchange
  • U.S. Department of State Students Abroad

11
Loneliness
  • SIGNS
  • Solutions
  • Youre alone and you dont feel you have a choice
    not to be
  • You feel that youre lacking attachments you had
    in the past
  • You are facing changes in your life
  • You feel theres no one in your life with whom
    you can share your feelings and experiences
  • Your self perceptions are that youre
    unacceptable, unlovable, not worthwhile even if
    others dont share those perceptions
  • Develop Friendships
  • Loneliness will not last forever
  • Put yourself in new situations
  • Look for ways to get involved (eat, sit,
    study)
  • Develop Yourself
  • Follow habits of good nutrition, regular
    exercise, adequate sleep
  • Use alone tome to enjoy yourself rather than
    just existing until you will be with others
  • Keep things in your environment that you can use
    to enjoy alone time (books, puzzles)

12
Anxiety
  • Signs
  • Solutions
  • Rapid hear beat
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Sleeping problems
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Cold clammy hands
  • Hyperventilation
  • Being too fearful to take action
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Always being on edge
  • Having a difficult making decisions
  • Exercise or engage in some form of daily physical
    activity, Eat a nutritious, well balanced diet
  • Dont engage in emotional reasoning
  • Obtain an adequate amount of sleep
  • Seek emotional support from friends and family
  • Focus on the positive aspect of your life
  • Establish realistic, attainable goals which do
    not rely on perfectionist values
  • Monitor how you think about stress and reduce
    negative thoughts
  • Don assume responsibility for events which are
    outside your control

13
Re-entry Shock
  • What is Re-entry Shock?
  • Common Re-entry Expectations
  • Re-entry shock is a term that describes the shock
    people go through when returning home after an
    extended stay abroad.
  • Everything will be the same
  • Everything will be great
  • People will be interested in my stories
  • I will fit back into life with no problems
  • I can pick up my relationships where we left off
  • People will be open minded
  • People around me will recognize and applaud my
    personal growth
  • I will have the same needs and goals as before

14
Stages of Re-entry Shock
  • Stage 1 Departure Characterized by mixed
    feelings of sadness to end your adventure abroad
    and excitement to see family and friends again.
  • Stage 2 Honeymoon Lasts one hour up to a
    couple of weeks. You may be excited to see family
    and friends again, tell everyone your stories,
    get your pictures developed, eat your favorite
    American meal, chew your longed-for favorite
    flavor of gum, etc.
  • Stage 3 Reverse Culture Shock The length of
    this stage depends on factors such as duration of
    stay, depth of involvement with host culture,
    variance between cultures, and your personal
    disposition. It ranges from several weeks to over
    a year.
  • Stage 4 Readjustment You have found your
    balance again. You have created a new sense of
    home and have established routines in your work,
    school and social life.
  • Reverse Culture Shock, University of Iowa.
    www.uiowa.edu/uiabroad/returning/handbook.htm

15
Re-entry Remedies
  • Realize the Transition may be Hard. Give your
    self time to reflect on your overseas experiences
    and re-adjust to life at home. Keep a journal
    and make a scrapbook while the memories are
    fresh. Avoid making major life decisions until
    you feel more grounded. If you need to, spend
    time regaining your mental-spiritual balance by
    going for walks, meditating, or praying.
  •  
  • Create a Support System. Talk to other people
    about your experiences and those who might
    understand what you are going through. This can
    be your family, your friends, or your peer study
    abroaders. Join the Facebook Group MU Global or
    talk with the Center for Global Education about
    how to stay connected with program alumni.
  •  
  • Stay Connected. Keep in contact with the new
    friends you made while overseas! Just because
    you are an ocean away doesnt mean that they have
    forgotten you! Send letters, write e-mails, or
    even call every once in a while!
  •  
  • Continue to be a multi-cultural person. Watch
    the BBC at home! Head out for some Indian food
    every once in a while! Remember that now you know
    how it feels to be the outsider.
  • Volunteer Locally. You probably gained a
    different perspective on how things are done
    regarding many issues while abroad. Try
    volunteering with a local or national group to
    help other people and also bring your unique
    perspective to the group!
  • Coming Home Life After Study Abroad,
    Middlebury College Study Abroad
    www.middlebury.edu/sap/re_entry/coming_home.html
    (10/12/01) and Coming Home Surviving the
    Transition and Staying Involved, Collins,
    Joseph, Stefano DeZerega, and Zahara Heckscher
    Transitions Abroad, Nov/Dec 2001.

16
Resources
  • UTSA Counseling Services
  • Dept. of State Travel Information for Students
  • HTH Students
  • Health Check for Study, Work, and Travel Abroad
  • Travel Safe
  • CDC
  • World Health Organization
  • Travel Health Online
  • Intl. Assoc. For Medical Assistance To Travelers
  • http//www.utsa.edu/counsel/index.htm
  • studentsabroad.state.gov
  • hthstudents.com
  • ciee.org/healthcheck.cfm
  • ciee.org/travelsafe.cfm
  • cdc.gov/travel
  • who.org
  • tripprep.com
  • iamat.org

17
SELF SURVEY
  • Many study abroad students experience re-entry
    shock.
  • People will be interested in my study abroad
    experience.
  • Studying Abroad will help me escape and things
    will be great when I return.
  • The Honeymoon period related to fascination and
    excitement about a new culture.
  • Feeling lonely in a new country is normal and it
    will go away when I adjust to being away from
    home.
  • Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and a change
    in eating patterns can be signs of Depression.
  • I know how to and when to access resources during
    my study abroad experience.

18
ENJOY YOUR STUDY ABROAD!!
  • THE END
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