Within
Intercultural Communication, Ronald Arnett focuses on the affects of Culture Shock and how its communicative
practice within a new environment can alter our perception of unfamiliar
situations. Arnett suggest that when we encounter the unfamiliar, we are able
to experience and learn from other cultures while also the possibility of
finding out more about our own (Pg. 157). Therefore, when we are open to diversity;
especially in a communicative ‘best’ practice we are opening doors to discovery
and adaptability when ethically communicating to those of different origins. When
comparing cultures it is a great eye opener to possible flaws in my own attentiveness
to friends and families.
A personal
experience of a Culture Shock was
when I studied in Argentina and Mexico over the summer. I was still developing
my communication in the Spanish language but also trying to incorporate the
values of the individuals in the country with how I communicate with them. In
Argentina it is rude to not sit for at least 30 minutes after eating a meal and
have discussions with your host family. This is a norm of their behaviors and
something I was not accustom too prior to arriving. Usually things move so fast
and I am going from one place to another that eating is usually not done at a
dinning table. This realization brought to the surface the practices of my
daily routine in the United States. The culture shock and disruptive routine
from mine, I began to focus on my own patterns of communication and I was able
to learn the values of their cultural dialogue that some might not value here
in the U.S. I was appreciative for the experience and find myself very
adaptable in meeting the needs of others more than prior to my studying there. Intercultural
communication, especially in a culture shock experience is an element of
exposure and change that is beneficial in comparing your own communicative
practices as Arnett mentions in the chapter.
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