Also, I was not aware of how difficult it is for some international students to become accustomed to the colloquialisms of Americans. I think it will help me in the future to be more sensitive when I am conversing with international students, and to avoid sentences that tend towards slang or 'non-textbook' constructions. However, this is an aspect of culture, and I suppose one of the things everyone experiencing a new culture has to deal with. One example I thought was particularly good was the German student who mentioned the use of the word "nice", and how Americans use it in contexts where they don't really like what they are describing, but don't want to cause offense by being honest. Inconsistencies such as this must make learning a new language even more difficult; words that by definition mean something specific may be used in a way that does not convey the same meaning as the definition states. This is an intimidating fact, and one that I suppose will never be overcome until one has had extensive exposure to the new language.
I have noticed, among my friends, some of the characteristics of culture shock such as excessive stereotyping of the host nation and the picking out of faults and negative aspects of the culture you are experiencing. However, it has not been only among my international friends, but also among my friends from the United States that are from an area that doesn't have a lot in common with Richmond. Growing up only two hours from Richmond, I have experienced very little culture shock, aside from the usual transition from home to college. But for my friends coming from areas as far away as Washington state, I have noticed a definite propensity to stereotype the city of Richmond, the state of Virginia, the South, etc. It doesn't cause a very positive reaction with me, because growing up in the area I know that much of what they say is untrue. This has helped to make me aware of what I generalize about cultures I visit, and how stereotypes can often be quite offensive to the host nation.
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