Topic: Reflect on "Culture Shock"
I really enjoyed watching "Culture Shock," because the film gave me a chance to see UR and American customs through the lens of someone who might not be quite familiar with certain parts of American culture. I thought it was very interesting especially to see how others might view body language or certain American expressions -- things that I had never really thought about before because I was born and raised in Virginia. For instance, one female student remarked that hearing the phrase "The movie was nice..." was different from "The movie was awesome!" and she utilized that difference as a way to explain how frustrating it was when Americans would not directly criticize the movie, but would implicitly remark upon it by saying it was just "nice" (with a particular tone).
As a student who has studied abroad, the film also reminded me of my own experiences in India, especially when one of the speakers talked about the different phases of adjusting to a different culture, like the "honeymoon phase" or even when a person talks with other foreigners about how life "over there" is better than what they are currently experiencing. For instance, I remember a particularly bad day in India where it just felt as though everything was going wrong -- I couldn't buy a train ticket without being rerouted to five different people, I couldn't figure out how to bargain for something, and people expected me to know how to speak the local language. Often, talking to a friend is the best thing to do, or even just being busy and knowing that the day will pass -- just as one of the female students said when she talked about her first few days at UR, filled with orientation activities.
I also found it interesting to listen to how students adjust to the American college system, particularly at UR -- especially if their home country or home institution has a culture in which quietness and acceptance are values that are emphasized, rather than free discussion.
I do wonder how UR students could help make the process of cultural adjustment easier for international students. Maybe we could have some type of volunteer program to help ease the transition?
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