Cultural Adjustment

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• Cultural Adjustment
• Campus Resources

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How many of you

• Have visited 10 or more countries?
• Never left your home country before coming to RIT?

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How many of you

• Studied at another university in the U.S. before
  coming to RIT?
• Attended high school in the U.S.?

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How many of you

• Speak English as your native language?
• Speak three or more languages fluently?

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How many of you

• Came to the U.S. without knowing a single person?
• Have family living in the U.S.?

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Im very EXCITED

• Im so happy to be here!
• I cant wait to explore the city!
• Im excited to meet new people!

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I feel so OVERWHELMED

• I have no idea where to find things here!
• Everything is so different from back home!

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Im so NERVOUS

• What if my classes are too difficult?
• What if I dont get along with my roommates?

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Im so TIRED

• No matter how much I sleep, Im always tired!
• What is wrong with me?!?

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Im so HOMESICK

• I miss everything about homemy friends, my
  family, the food!
• Im never going to be able to adjust!

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I feel so LONELY

• Its so difficult to meet people here!
• American students just dont seem to want to make
  friends with international students.

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Im so FRUSTRATED

• I have no idea where to find things here!
• The rules here just dont make sense!
• Everyone talks so fastI have no idea what
  theyre saying!

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I love the U.S.!

• Everything here is so much better than back home!
• I want to stay in the U.S. forever!

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I HATE the U.S

• I just dont fit in here.
• No one understands me.
• Americans are so stupid sometimes!
• Im so tired of having to repeat my name and
  answer the same questionsI just want to go home!

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Confident

• .

Lonely
Frustrated
Excited
Nervous
Irritable
Tired
Curious
Overwhelmed
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The Cultural Adjustment Cycle

• is like a rollercoaster, with many ups and downs
  along the way!

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Common Stages
Acceptance/ Integration
Honeymoon Period
Adjustment
Mental Isolation
Culture Shock
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Honeymoon Stage

• Fascinated and excited by everything that is new!

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Culture Shock Stage

• Challenges rise to the surface with
• housing
• transportation
• food
• language
• difficulty making friends
• and more!

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Adjustment Stage

• Living with new roommates and going to school
  becomes easier
• English language skills improve
• Become more self-confident
• Settle in to your new routine.

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Mental Isolation Stage

• feeling especially lonely
• missing your native language and culture
• frustrated that people still dont seem to
  understand you on a deeper level
• cant always express yourself the way you want

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Acceptance / Integration

• Start to truly accept the habits, customs, food
  and characteristics of the people in your new
  culture.
• Generally feel more comfortable in your new
  surroundings.

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The realities of Culture Shock

• 1. Its different for everyone
• 2. It is an unavoidable rite of passage
• 3. It is a known process with known symptoms
• 4. You will survive - dont be afraid to ask for
  help!

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Suggestions for coping

• Think positively
• Keep a sense of humor
• Keep an open mind
• Set realistic goals
• Go outtake initiative
• Speak English as much as possible
• Ask for help!

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Resources to help

• Family and friends
• International Student Services
• RIT Counseling Center
• RIT Student Health Center
• RIT Academic Support Center
• International Student Organizations
• Get involved!!!

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International Student Services

• When you have a question, concern, or doubt about
  anything feel free to come to ISS! We may not
  know the answers to all your questions, but we
  can certainly point you in the right direction.

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Counseling Center

• Located in Building 23A above Student Health
  Services
• Free and confidential
• Personal and career counseling available

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Student Health Center

• Staffed by physicians, nurses, and health
  educators. Located across from the Field House.
• Insurance you are automatically enrolled,
  although waivers are available. Contact ISS for
  details.

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Academic Support Center

• Free academic assistance for all students at RIT.
• Support includes classes, labs and workshops in
  reading, writing, math and study skills.
• Located on the 2nd floor of Eastman, Building 1.

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Clubs on Campushttp//campuslife.rit.edu/clubs/

• Career Related
• Hobby Special Interest
• Music Related
• Greek
• Sports
• Ethnic
• Religious

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Join Global Union!

• Global Union is a Major Student Organization on
  Campus we plan international and cultural
  events throughout the year.

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Rochester Intl. Council

• Volunteer Friendship Host applications can be
  found in your folders. or at www.rifc.org
• Review upcoming activities in your orientation
  agendas

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Grad Student Tour of Rochester

• Friday, September 4, 2009
• Cost 5

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Niagara Falls

• Sunday, September 20th
• Cost 20

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RIC Welcome Picnic

• Sunday, September 13, 2009
• Cost 5

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RIC Square Dance

• Friday, October 2, 2009
• Cost 5

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• And now its time to rotate!
• 1025am 1050am Ingle Immigration Regulations
  (group 1)
• 6 - A205 Employment (group 2)
• 1829 Cultural Adjustment (group 3)
• 1050am 1100am Rotate Sessions
• 1100am 1125am
• Ingle Immigration Regulations (group 2)
• 6 - A205 Employment (group 3)
• 1829 Cultural Adjustment (group 1)
• 1125am 1135am Rotate Sessions
• 1135am 1200pm
• Ingle Immigration Regulations (group 3)
• 6 - A205 Employment (group 1)
• 1829 Cultural Adjustment (group 2)

International Student Services