RESEARCH WORK

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RESEARCH WORK
Theme "Culture Shock Is It Possible To
Overcome?"
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The Problem
Why are foreigners unaware of the Republic of
Kazakhstan?
The Hypothesis
Foreigners coming to Kazakhstan often face
culture shock because of their lack of knowledge
regarding the country.
The Aim
To thoroughly study literature and views of
respondents to prove that insufficient knowledge
of host countrys culture deepens and prolongs
culture shock experienced by foreigners.
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The Research Work can be divided into 3 main
stages.
The 1st one is studying literature

• The World Book Encyclopedia. World Book, Inc,
  1994
• Encyclopedia Americana. Danbury, Connecticut,
  2003
•   Pathways to Culture. Ed. by Paula R.
  Heusinkveld, 1997, by Intercultural Press
• Kazakhstan Coming of Age. Michael Fergus with
  Janar Jandodsova, 2003
• Cultural Studies. Grossberg Lawrence.
  Routhledge, 1992
•  Introduction to the USA. Future Leaders Exchange
  Project Office, Washington, DC, 2006

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What Is Culture Shock?
Culture shock is a term used to describe the
anxiety and feelings (of surprise,
disorientation, confusion, etc.) felt when people
have to operate within an entirely different
culture or social environment, such as a
different country. (From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia).
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Symptoms of Culture Shock
  Sadness, loneliness, melancholy  
Preoccupation with health   Aches, pains, and
allergies   Insomnia, desire to sleep too much
or too little   Changes in temperament,
depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless
  Anger, irritability, resentment,
unwillingness to interact with others  
Identifying with the old culture or idealizing
the old country   Loss of identity   Trying
too hard to absorb everything in the new culture
or country   Unable to solve simple problems
  Lack of confidence   Feelings of inadequacy
or insecurity   Developing stereotypes about
the new culture   Developing obsessions such as
over-cleanliness   Longing for family  
Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or
abused   Delay and outright refusal to learn
the language of the host country   Excessive
fear of being cheated, robbed, or injured.
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Stages of Culture Shock
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Linguistic Shock
Linguistic shock can be defined as a state of
surprise, laughter and embarrassment which
arouses while communicating with a native speaker
when he hears some language elements sounding
strange, funny and indecently in his mother
tongue.
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The 2nd stage is questioning
We asked 50 students of school 27 and 20
students of Harmony High school, Orlando, Florida
the same question What do you advise foreigners
to do to overcome emotional difficulties in our
city? Their answers allowed us to make up Venn
diagram.
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• Do sports
• Keep in touch with your countrymen
• Make friends
• Dont be scared
• of unsociable people
• because in fact they are
• really friendly
• Accept the host country as it is, dont critisize
  it

• Be patient
• Learn to be constructive
• Volunteer in community
• activities
• Establish simple goals
• and evaluate your progress
• Be open-minded about
• a new culture

American students
Our students

• Learn the language
• Dont offend locals
• Read up about a host country you are going to
  visit

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Having analyzed the situation, we continued our
research to work out useful recommendations or
tips for foreigners arriving in Oskemen, so that
they will hopefully become more aware of Kazakh
culture, reduce the impact of culture shock (that
they will not avoid experiencing) and help them
enjoy staying and working in our native city.
Here are some pages from the brochure
Tips How To Successfully Cope With Culture
Shock In Oskemen
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    If you are preoccupied with health have
aches, pains or allergies try too hard to absorb
everything in the new culture or country feel
like being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused
you are welcome to visit the following
picturesque suburbs of Oskemen
     The Sibin Lakes or The Blue Bay(in
summer) The Knyazhi Mountains (in winter).
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               If you have insomnia, a desire to
sleep too much or too little feel anger,
irritability, resentment, unwillingness to
interact with others feel inadequacy or
insecurity develop obsessions such as
over-cleanliness want to be in shape and in a
good mood you should join a sports club or
complex (aerobics, fitness, yoga, swimming its
up to you because Oskemen provides many
opportunities available in any time).
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        Remember that there would most probably
be some things that you will be surprised with.
So, be ready to face them
People who keep gazing at you as soon as they
realize that you are a foreigner
Ø     
Ø     
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 Much trash in the streets of the
city Environmental problems that include
polluted air, water and soil
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CONCLUSIONS
      First, be aware that such a thing as
culture shock exists, that it will probably
affect you one way or another, but that it
doesn't last forever.         Next, try to
remember, if and when you become thoroughly
disenchanted with you surroundings, that the
problem probably isn't so much in them as it is
in you.         Third, accept the idea that
while it may be somewhat painful, culture shock
can be a very valuable experience, a
mind-stretching process that will leave you with
broader perspectives, deeper insight into
yourself and wider tolerance for other people.
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The reason why foreign people are unaware of our
country and culture is that their educational
system does not allow students to learn more
about Post-Soviet republics, and, additionally,
Kazakhstan is a young country that hasnt managed
to become popular all over the world. Kazakhstan
is for those who like challenge, who want to have
their world-views questioned and forcibly
expanded, who want to feel that they have truly
earned their accomplishments, and who want to
prove that they can deliver under pressure. It is
also for this reason that Kazakhstan can provide
career opportunities for those willing to learn
and experience the country and all it entails
Kazakhstan can prove that you are the type of
employee that most businesses, government
agencies, and academic institutions are looking
for.
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The Practical Meaning
The Work can be applied in the branch of
education, so that exchange students and other
people who prepare to stay abroad for a long
time, will be well trained and aware of such
phenomenon as culture shock. It can also be used
to help our foreign visitors to adjust to living
in Kazakhstan.
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Thank You For Attention!!!