3

Unit 2 Foreign cultures Culture shock

B) Pay attention to the underlined words in the text, try to figure out their meaning out of the context and write down the definition in your own words:

Culture shock is the experience of leaving a familiar culture and entering a new or unfamiliar one.

Culture shock can happen to anyone, regardless of how often he or she has traveled to other countries or how long she or he has lived abroad. Entering a new culture involves stress, and confronts the traveler with surprises he or she had not anticipated, regardless of how well prepared he or she thinks he/she is for the new culture. Suddenly the familiar sights, sounds, tastes, ways and behaviors one is used to are missing, and there are a variety of new experiences to deal with in their place.

Things that can contribute to culture shock Language

It is tiring to communicate all day long in a language which is not your native tongue. It takes a lot of energy to pay close attention, to try to catch what people are saying, to understand what is going on around you and to express yourself clearly. You may need to ask questions to clarify your understanding, ask people to repeat what they have said, or ask others to speak more slowly with you.  It is also a real challenge to follow and appreciate jokes and humor in a different language, because not only are you dealing with what the words mean, you are also trying to figure out why the joke is funny. What is funny in your own culture might not be funny in the new culture, and vice versa. It can be enormously frustrating to regularly be in situations where everyone around you is laughing at something that must be funny, but you can’t figure out what it is or why it is funny to them.

Regional accents can also be difficult to understand, even for people who speak and understand another language fluently. The ear needs time to adjust, and there are new words, expressions and idioms to decode.

Climate

You may find that you are sensitive to the differences in climate. The weather might be warmer or cooler than what you are used to, there might be more or less rain or sunshine than where you come from and the summer humidity might be a shock in itself. On hot, humid summer days in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest, you might find yourself soaked in sweat, even after just a few minutes of activity (and on such days, taking two or more quick showers might not seem like such a crazy idea, after all!).

You should drink a minimum of two, but preferably three or more (depending on the heat, humidity and your level of activity and sun exposure) liters of water per day, just to keep your system functioning. Most of us do not drink enough fluids daily, and are insufficiently hydrated. It is also a good idea to wear a hat to protect your head and face from the sun.

Colas and soft drinks actually dehydrate your body (cause water loss), and can result in your body losing calcium and other important minerals and taking in too much phosphorus.

If you want the energy to flow, stick to H2O.

Food

You may find that the food tastes quite different, or strange from what you are used to. It might be spicier, or blander, or even with no taste. One thing you can count on this summer: you will experience some culinary adventures. Most camps try to accommodate children and staff who have special dietary needs, but at the same time, also have to work within a limited food budget. If you do have any known food allergies, you should discuss this with your camp director.

If you are working at a day camp and staying with a local host family, you will discover first-hand how and what some Americans eat at home. Your host family may cook less at home than people in your country do, or may go out to eat for some meals. 

Whatever your situation, try to eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables daily, preferably several servings of each.

Dress

The way people dress may be different from where you are from. Life at camp tends to be informal, casual and relaxed, and that includes how people dress.