105 Learning Journal # 5

[Rosemary Diaz]

The 'Culture Shock' video was very interesting because it showed the experience of an international student or faculty when the first arrive to this university and how they experience the American culture. Because I have lived here my entire life it was very interesting to see what an outsider feels and thinks about when they come study abroad or work here in America. I would have to agree that culture shock is something most people experience, mostly after the so called "honeymoon phase." When I went to study abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, I definitely remember experiencing culture shock after about a month of being there. At first I found everything extremely fascinating, but after about a month or so it was hard for me to adjust to some of the things in their culture. For example, the food they ate was not always good to me because I felt like they did not have as much of a variety of foods to chose from in the school's meal plan. I remember that one of Scotland's famous foods called 'blood pudding' was served for breakfast everyday, and I really disliked everything about blood pudding. I eventually got very tired of the food they served at the dinning hall and tired of eating the same thing all the time. Another thing I found shocking was the difference in school systems. In Scotland, they only give you one big assignment and a final exam, so basically your class grade was based on two things, which to me was very shocking and terrifying. I did like that I did not have to do homework every night, but I was scared that if I failed one assignment then I would only have the final to make up for it. The grading system was completely strange and confusing, and till this day I still do not understand how they grade things. Finally, another culture shock I did enjoy was that we did not have to participate in class like we do here in America. I enjoyed going to class and just listening to the professor because I honestly hate participating. I hate that they grade participation here in America, so it was a relief not having to worry about that while abroad.