The Rotary Youth Exchange Experience:

Culture Shock and

Reverse Culture Shock

NAYEN Conference 2010

Dennis White, Ph.D.

dkwhite@itol.com

www.yeoresources.org

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CultureAn integrated system of

learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of

any given society. It refers to the total way of life,

including how people think, feel and behave.

Metaphorically, culture is the lens through which we

view the world.

You can’t trust your eyes when your

imagination is out of focus.

 

Mark Twain

The Cultural Iceberg

1/8th above the surface

7/8ths below the surface

Conscious behaviors

Unconscious beliefs and

values

When we think we know what we are seeing or hearing, it is very

easy to make a mistake, especially in language.

What do they mean?

• You are invited to take advantage of

the chambermaid.

Japanese hotel

• I slaughter myself twice daily. Israeli

butcher • Ladies, leave your clothes here and have a wonderful time. French laundry

Dr. No

We don’t want a doctor

Titanic

Ship Outta Luck!

At first we will be dependent upon translators – sometimes a risky business

Sometimes, it’s just pronunciation

Ethnocentrism:

The universal tendency for any

culture to see its own values and practices

as natural and correct.

Ethnocentrism:

All cultures are ethnocentric - and

must be to impart their values to their members.

I don’t feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves. John Wayne

“The world in which you were born is just one model of reality.

Other cultures are not failed attempts at being like you.

They are unique manifestations of the human spirit ”.

Wade Davis

In James Hiltons’ novel, Lost Horizon, An American stranded in Shangri-la says to his Tibetan rescuer:

“I want to get back to civilization as soon as possible.”

The Tibetan’s reply:

“Are you so very certain that you are away from it?”

 

Ethnorelativism:

The acquired ability to see many values and behaviors as

cultural rather than universal.

Ethnorelativism:

This approach attempts to

understand values and behaviors from the point of view of that culture, rather

than as right or wrong.

Ethnorelativism:

It assumes that one’s own culture is no more central to describing

and evaluating reality than any other -

regardless of one’s strongly held preferences

“I see America through a sharper lens - both her

strengths and her weaknesses and I am tired of people who uncritically

accept everything American as right.”

American Exchange Student

Ethnocentrism is similar to egocentrism.Ethnorelativism is similar to empathy.

The Golden Rule

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

The Platinum Rule

Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.

Real life examples:

• Watching the moon landing in Iranian theatres

• Holding hands

In a new culture everything is harder

Developing cultural sensitivity and

competence requires moving from

Ethnocentrism to Ethnorelativism

One World or Many.doc 

Developing Intercultural Sensitivity

The Experience of Difference

Denial Defense Minimization

Ethnocentric Stages Ethnorelative Stages

Acceptance Adaptation Integration

Model developed by Dr.. Milton Bennett, Portland State University

Culture Shock

The profound sense of disorientation and discomfort that

comes with extended travel or living in a foreign culture markedly

different from one’s own.

Culture Shock.doc 

Stages of Culture Shock:

• Initial enthusiasm and euphoria• Irritability and negativism• Gradual adjustment and adaptation• Integration and bi-culturalism

The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc 

Culture Shock Cycle

Pre-Departure Months

Normal Level of Feelings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …...

Rotary Youth Exchange

Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls

Culture Shock Cycle

Pre-Departure Months

Normal Level of Feelings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …...

Rotary Youth Exchange

Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls

Normal Distribution of Any Cultural Trait

Frequency

Amount of Trait

Example: Individualism vs. Group Orientation

A typical student

Comparing Two Cultures (on any given trait)

In this example, there is some overlap, but the two cultures are mostly different

After Adaptation

Culture Shock

Returning To Home Culture

Returning To Home Culture

Reverse Culture Shock

Returning To Home Culture

Severe Reverse Culture Shock

Most people anticipate some degree of culture shock. Very few people believe they will experience reverse culture shock.

Reverse Culture Shock (Re-entry Shock)

The often unexpected and difficult period of disorientation and readjustment experienced after returning to one’s own culture after an

extended period of living abroad.

So You Think You're Home Now.doc 

The Stages of Reverse Culture Shock are almost the same as those of Culture Shock

• Initial Euphoria (may be very brief or not happen at all)

• Irritability and Negativism ( may be very lengthy)

• Gradual Adaptation• True Bi-Culturalism

Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock are not just unpleasant side effects of

international living.

They are the necessary ingredients that bring about

quality intercultural education.

We can prepare for both forms of culture shock by:

• Anticipating CS and RCS. • “Normalizing” these phenomena. • Remembering that “compost happens”.• Remembering that, as new depths of

understanding develop, new waves of culture shock emerge.

“Culture shock pushes me out of my comfort zone”

Under pressure, we tend to fall back on what is comfortable, habitual, and unconscious.

Even when we know how to follow a cultural practice, and can do it, the tendency is to fall back.

“I love my country more now than ever, but I am

critical of those who blindly accept everything

American as the best, especially when they have

never been out of the country.”

American Peace Corps Volunteer

How I Have Changed?How Have I Changed.doc 

An exercise using 44 statements that have often

been identified by exchange students as significant

changes from the experience.

How I Have Changed

One student’s response My youth exchange year was one of incredible

change and growth for me. In addition to seeing so much of the rest of the world, and making such wonderful friends, I changed in ways I never knew were possible.

How I Have Changed

One student’s response

I am more confident and positive when meeting new people. I have a greater ability to empathize with others and to put myself in their place when making judgments. I have greater willingness to take on new roles and tasks.

How I Have Changed One student’s response I have more ability to see myself objectively, in a

more realistic context. I understand more fully my own strengths and weaknesses. I am more tolerant of ambiguous situations and more open to differing interpretations of them. I feel greater respect and appreciation for my family.

How I Have Changed One student’s response

And most of all, I feel more surely that common bonds unite all human beings. Thank you, Rotary for the best year of my life.

Dennis White, Ph.D.207 S. 4th Ave.Sturgeon Bay, WI. 54235Telephone 920-746-1346Fax 920-746-1347Email dkwhite@itol.com

For more information, visit www.yeoresources.org