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Cultural Adjustment and
Families
Culture Shock
This page describes some of what your son or daughter may
experience as they encounter, react and become accustomed to the
way of life in their new environment abroad. The cultural
adaptation process, or so-called "culture shock", is the
challenge of adapting to new social, economic and educational
systems, as well as to unfamiliar foods, climate, and language
that instills confidence, empathy, and a greater respect for
one's own culture. Cultural adjustment builds problem-solving
abilities, flexibility, and initiative- skills and
characteristics that will remain with your son or daughter as
they enter the work force and make them highly competitive job
candidates.
Please
familiarize yourself with the cultural issues your student will
be going through when
departing and
returning.
The key to coping with cultural adjustment for both students and
families is patience. The process is normal and temporary. You
may receive a flurry of letters, phone calls or e-mails during
the first weeks of the experience and at traditional holiday
times. Do not be alarmed or discouraged if your son or daughter
seems negative about the host culture or program. They may be
overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and have not yet
learned to respond with confidence to their new surroundings.
Your best response is to be sympathetic and supportive, but to
help them remember that their feelings of irritation and
homesickness are normal and temporary. Remind them of their
long-term goals for the experience.
The Education Abroad Office often receives phone calls from
family members who have not heard from their children in several
days or weeks. Their infrequent contact is rarely cause for
concern. After the initial wave of calls home seeking support
and a sympathetic ear, your son or daughter will adjust to their
host culture, make new friendships and gain confidence. Their
correspondence may become less frequent as they overcome their
initial homesickness.
Remember that there may be difficult and even frustrating times
for your son or daughter overseas. By the time they return, the
bad moments are usually forgotten, and even the bad experiences
are priceless.
If your son or daughter is having a difficult time, suggest her
or she make an appointment to talk with their resident director
or someone in the International Office where they are.
Reverse Culture Shock
It surprises many students and their families to learn that the
process of re-adjusting to the
United States and to their families and friends is just as
challenging as the initial process of cultural adaptation. This
process is sometimes referred to as "reverse culture shock" and
very closely resembles the process of cultural adjustment.
Just as with initial cultural adjustment, the re-entry process
takes time and patience.
Your son or daughter may have changed in many ways. They are
more independent and more sophisticated. Their academic and
professional goals may have changed or become more focused. It
is often frustrating and disappointing for students to return
home and to Virginia Tech, where little may have changed with
family and friends. Do not expect them to be the person they
were before they left, with the same interests, goals, and
values. Your son or daughter may have a difficult time
articulating what the study abroad experience has meant to them
and how they feel they have grown. The best things to do are
keep and open mind and encourage your student to talk about
their experience.
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