Culture & Culture ShockExperiences of an EFL Teacher in The People’s Republic of China!

Australian & Chinese Icons

Population Comparison

• As at 20th July, 2006 Australian population was ~20.27 million (Source – CIA Fact Book).

• Estimated population of Chengdu City & surrounds ~9.7 mill. (Source – Tourist Brochure).

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AustraliaChengdu

Housing Comparison – Mooloolaba vs. Haikou

Fast Food:Pie & Sauce vs. Noodles

Native Animals – Koala vs. Giant Panda

Sporting Obsessions:AFL Football vs. Soccer

Transport Differences – Toyota Camry vs. San Lun Moto Che

What is Culture Shock?

• … a feeling of confusion felt by someone visiting a country or place that they do not know - (Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary).

• … the feelings of confusion and anxiety experienced by somebody suddenly encountering an unfamiliar cultural environment – (MSN Encarta).

• ... the reaction one faces when confronted with a new cultural environment; the effect of going from one culture into another– (University of Toronto).

Four Stages of Culture Shock(University of Toronto)

• Euphoria• Anxiety• Rejection of New Culture• Adjustment

Euphoria• Initial state of culture

shock… tends to blend in with the highs of planning a trip and starting off on an adventure.  Like a new love, we tend to overlook some of the host country's short-comings. and delight in all the new pleasures of being abroad.

• A 3-hour walk to the closest market and source of food is a quaint representation of how to enjoy the simple things of life.  Enjoy this initial state but prepare for a come down.

Anxiety

• A growing amount of anxiety can develop and the traveller may feel helpless.  The difficulties of living abroad, such as language barriers, absence of social cues and familiar geographic references can come to the surface. 

• This can develop into frustration, anger and sleeplessness.  Not knowing where and when to cross the street or even how to find your way back to the market can result in a physical discomfort.

Rejection of New Culture

• This is where that once quaint 3-hour walk becomes an unbearable nuisance.  You find yourself thing in terms of things being 'wrong' and 'backwards'.

• Commonly travellers in this stage start to withdraw themselves from the local community preferring to surround themselves with other foreigners. Beware the 3 am impulse to suddenly call a family member or friend back home.

Adjustment

• With a bit of luck and advanced preparation, one enters the adjusted stage.  At this point you can recognize some of the perceived shortcomings of your host culture without rejecting everything.  The 3 hour walk becomes just that; a necessary inconvenience.

Culture Shock Timeline(University of Toronto)

• This U-Curve is interesting from a personal note. The “bottoming out” point for me occurred at 4 months after arrival in China.

Resolution of Culture Shock

• With a slice of luck and an ounce or two of good will, the expatriate will overcome the effects of culture shock and be left with the benefits of feeling part of the host country!