COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL New York, USA
PRESENTATION: International Student Experience: Culture shock
By Dan Fishel /January 2008
1. 60% of students at the university are international students
There are 33 nations represented.
2. According to the speaker, the mix of cultures creates a fascinating, exhilarating environment, but also very challenging
3. In his introduction, Dan Fisher outlines that he will discuss the following aspects of being an international student:
a. Personal adjustment
b. Social adjustment
c. Academic adjustment
PRESENTATION: International Student Experience: Culture shock
By Dan Fishel /January 2008
1. 60% of students at the university are international students
There are 33 nations represented.
2. According to the speaker, the mix of cultures creates a fascinating, exhilarating environment, but also very challenging
3. In his introduction, Dan Fisher outlines that he will discuss the following aspects of being an international student:
a. Personal adjustment
b. Social adjustment
c. Academic adjustment
PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT
4. Dan Fisher left his home country Israel , two and a half years ago.
5. He is currently studying a dual degree in journalism and business.
6. He worked as the senior editor of the 2nd largest newspaper in Israel.
7. Dan explains that when he suffered from culture shock, he felt the following (Tick the correct answers)
sadness
loneliness
Anxiety
lacking concentration
feeling misunderstood
frustration
8. During this stage of his culture shock, Dan says that he hated Americans, and wanted the company of Israeli students, because he understood them.
9. How does Dan Fishel explain Phase 1 of an international student arrival in the new country?
He calls it the ‘honeymoon’
10. How did Dan feel about America when he first arrived?
He was ‘in love’ with America, and everything he saw.
11. What does Dan Fisher call Phase 2 of Culture Shock?
He calls it the ‘What am I doing here?’ Phase
12. What did he feel was the hardest thing about being in America?
That he couldn’t express himself well – He couldn’t communicate with Americans very effectively.
13. Dan Fisher presents some statistics on culture shock which highlight that
38 % of international students say they suffer from culture shock.
14. What were some of the problems he encountered during Phase II ?
Problem 1: Orientation/transport around the city
Problem 2: He didn’t like the food
Problem 3: He found it hard to learn the currency
Problem 4: He thought Americans were ‘too’ positive ( = fake)
15. Dan Fisher talks about the ‘halo effect’. What do you think
means?
This means that someone is very critical of others, but never blame themselves or find fault in their own behaviour.
16. What are some of the adjectives/expressions he uses to describe his view of Americans during this second phase of culture shock ?
hypocritical
insincere
distant
superficial
DAN FISHER’S TIPS FOR CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT
1) Be Patient.
2) Remember your personal goals.
3) See the adventure in it.
4) Use your sense of humour
5) Deal with the stress as it arises.
6) Ask for help if you need it
SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT
17. Dan Fishel outlines what he considers to be some of the challenges of social adjustment for international students.
1) Understanding slang
2) Making friends
3) Feeling leftout
4) Not understanding the games/entertainment of American
culture
5) Personal contact rules (correct handshakes/no kissing.. etc)
ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT
18.
Dan Fishel presents some Basic Rules for international students to follow:
1. Adhere to the honour code
2. Arrive on time for all classes
3. Attend all classes
4. Come prepared – do your homework
5. Cheating and Plagiarism are not allowed
6. Class participation is important
19. What are the two types of ‘class participation’ he refers to?
How are they different?
1) voluntary 2) cold-calling
In the first, the student decides if they want to answer a question or not – in the second, the student is called upon, even if they don’t want to answer.
20. At the end of his presentation, Dan Fishel summarises his main points:
1) Culture shock WILL occur, and will last only a semester
2) Give yourself time to catch up with slang, and adjust to a new social life
3) Expect a new learning experience
4) Understand that things will gradually improve.
5) Always ask for help if you need it.
6) BE PATIENT
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