Post on 24-May-2015
Cultural AdjustmentViv ThomInternational Student Support Team
Culture is like the water we swim in- we don't notice it's there until it isn't
What was strange or surprising?What were you worried about before you arrived? What were you looking forward to?
Do you feel at home?
What would help you to do that?
Do you feel like you fit in?
The benefits of making new global friends:
Settle into life here in Britain
Learn about different cultures
Improve your English and other language skills
Wellbeing and work-life
balance Gain new experiences
and have fun!!! Succeed in your
studies
Where you can meet new people:
On campus Seminars and lectures Students' Union
(societies, volunteering) Food outlets Multifaith Centre Sports and the gym
Freshers' Week SHU Fest SHU International
Facebook group International Student
Support events and activities
Where you can meet new people:
Off campus Your accommodation Day trips and nights out Many student events
around the City (e.g. Events Sheffield website)
Places of worship
At work Online social
networking (e.g. Sheffield Forum)
Join groups, clubs Local newspapers
Some tips:• Spend some time talking to (English)
people each day• Have a positive state of mind• Watch TV news, keep up with current
events- listen to Radio• Assess your environment• Introduce other people to your friends• Practice your conversation skills
often
How does culture affect our behaviour ?
filter
perceptionevaluationconstruction of meaningresponse
HARMONY(consistent with cultural beliefs)
people &
social events
CONFLICT(inconsistent with cultural beliefs)
etc
FEELING SAFE
FEELING THREATENED
family/language morality /religion
/climate /school / food /
relationships media /climate
Self awareness: Understand that
people have different cultural rules and behaviours
Respect those differences
Be aware of how you react to those differences
Try actively to avoid misunderstandings
Be aware of prejudice
W-CURVE: STAGES OF ADJUSTMENT EXPERIENCED DURING ORIENTATION
Adapted from “Orientated for Success”, edited by M Barker,
Australian International Development Assistance Bureau, 1990. spiral of life
events
Some online resources:
International Student Support
and Sheffield Hallam University
International Students' Bulletin https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/internationalstudentsbulletin
SHU International Facebook groupwww.facebook.com/groups/shuinternational
Hallam Union www.hallamunion.org
Wider community Events Sheffield
www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/events
Finding a social club or group
Sheffield Help Yourself www.sheffieldhelpyourself.org.uk
Social networking Sheffield Forum
www.sheffieldforum.co.uk
Online guides NUS - Making Friends/Settling
In http://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/freshers-and-settling-in/freshers-and-settling-in-listing/making-new-friends
BBC guide for greeting people www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1142_greeting/page2.shtml
Links Expectations:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AeJEnQkcig
First Impressionshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWR7iJ4MpW4
Culture Shockhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov92M6o3EnQ
Orientationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJmq8O8-Ils