ASSIMILATION, ACCULTURATION,

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ASSIMILATION, ACCULTURATION, CULTURE SHOCK AND
PLAIN HOMESICKNESS HOW TO TAKE CARE OF
YOURSELF WHILE STUDYING ABROAD
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1. Initial Conflicting Emotions Dont be
overeager to make friends. Get a lay of a land.
Stay back a little and observe a lot. Ask
questions and get to know people. First
impressions can be wrong. Respect your
boundaries and respect the boundaries of others.
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2. Culture Shock Bring some of home with you.
Bring photos of family members, music that you
like. If you have a particular hobby, like
knitting, reading or checkers, bring these items
with you. You can participate in familiar
activities with people from the host country or
new friends or by yourself. Give yourself
something constructive to do while experiencing
the initial shock of a new culture.
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3. Superficial Adjustment Guilt Learn the
language of the other culture. If reasonable
modify your dress so that you blend in more with
the culture that you are visiting. If no sleeve
clothing are not permitted in Churches, please
dont go to the Cathedral with a sleeve less top.
Learn about the other culture, read the
newspapers and magazines, watch the news and
other programs which give you a context for the
behavior.
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4. Depression Frustration Dont wait for your
feelings to change on their own. Seek out
someone to talk to who is nonjudgmental and can
offer sympathy. Get as phone card and call
friends and family from home. Keep in touch by
email.
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5. Acceptance of Differences If a national
criticizes some aspect of his own culture, the
foreigner should listen but not enter into the
criticism. Learn to appreciate aspects of the
new culture as well as aspects of your own
culture.
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6. Reentry Conflicting Emotions Ask high school
foreign language instructors if you can give
short guest lectures, illustrated with
photographs, slides, or videos. Many local civic
and childrens organizations enjoy speakers who
share their foreign travel anecdotes. Audience
members often add their own stories to the
conversation.
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• 7. Reintegration
• Dont try too hard. Allow yourself to feel
  sad about the things that you have left behind
  different experiences, new friends, etc.
  Recognize the sorrow of leaving your new country.
  Focus your power on getting through the
  transition. If you feel stressed, look for help.
  There is always someone or some service
  available to help you. Try counseling.

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St. Carries Center P. O. Box 452 Mound Bayou, MS
38762 662-402-4529 www.global-perspective.net st
carriescenter_at_yahoo.com St Carries Center P. O.
Box 81 Hemet, Ca. 92546 Attn Dr. Darleana
McHenry