The most impressive part in intercultural communication is about culture shock, not only because I am an international student from eastern, but we have several experience of travelling to countries with totally different cultures. Culture shock is defined as"a feeling of disorientation experienced
when encountering communicative events disruptive of one’s expected routine"(P 156) and "a natural reaction to the unexpected and unfamiliar, needs a thoughtful response; simply giving free rein to our distress is no longer a helpful response to changes in the expected"(P 162). For me, the best way to encounter this cultural shock is to embrace the differences and attempt to accept, learn and engage in those differences. As the textbook concluded, " For the 21st century, a pragmatic reaction to culture shock is learning"(P 162).
I could still remember the vacation to Cancun during the spring break this year, it is really an awesome experience. As the majority native people in Mexico generally speak Spanish, it was really difficult for us four to adapt the new environment at the very beginning. But after we learned some basic phases about Spanish and their routine customs, everything went to perfectly. We met Mexicans with friendly attitude and passionate smiles, we enjoyed the Mexican music which is fulfilled with enthusiasm and joys, we tasted traditional tacos and other featured foods and snacks and we diving and driving to places outside of the resort to explore the true Mexico. Though there was another way to enjoy the spring break like tanning on the beach in the resort, eating and having fun in the hotel, and joining parties with familiar people, we four all admired and cherished our unique adventure in Mexico, and we learned so much during the wonderful journey.
Hi Yandi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experiences. Culture shock can be difficult for many people to overcome to overcome, but I agree with you that learning to accept the differences first before trying to attempt the differences is a very smart step. Not only does it help you adjust better because you are taking a step back, almost removing yourself, and taking in all the small key details that you would otherwise overlook if you had went in right away to attempt the different culture's norms and such.
It seems that on your trip to Mexico, you accepted beforehand that there would be culture differences, but you and your friends also attempted to immerse yourselves in the Mexican culture right away. How was learning about American culture differ from learning Mexican culture? Did you feel more like a guest versus a stranger in the dwelling place while you were in Mexico?