The orientation document provides information about an upcoming study abroad trip to England organized by the Staged Abroad Association. It includes the following key details:
- The trip goals are to display sociable behaviors while housed with a local troupe, participate in daily theatre workshops, and perform a skit at the end to demonstrate newly learned communication skills.
- The itinerary outlines a full schedule of activities over 7 days including seminars on British culture, tours of famous theaters, workshops, rehearsals and a performance.
- Participants are given tips for navigating cultural differences in England regarding greetings, etiquette, queues and tipping. The importance of being on time and polite is stressed.
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1. The STAGED ABROAD ASSOCIATIONANNUAL ENGLAND TRIP ORIENTATION What Can I Expect?
2. CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to all the very qualified participants that have been chosen! We have planned a busy but very fun trip for you. BUT FIRST! There are a few things that you need to know about your trip…
16. DinnerClosing Remarks Participants are expected to have packed prior to the morning of the 8th day, when we plan to depart the hotel and travel to the airport. Make sure you thank the hosts of our study abroad. There will be time assigned after dinner of Day 7 and the morning of Day 8 before breakfast to pack your belongings. The remaining items can be packed after closing remarks. USE THIS TIME WISELY!!! Day 7 Preparing to Leave
18. Top 5 Things You Need to Know -There are many simple linguistic differences. The appeal of studying abroad in England is that its differences are not so distinguishable that it is difficult to travel there.Some common words/phrases:Bathroom- Loo/WCApartment- FlatBandaid- PlasterElevator- LiftFries- ChipsGuy- Bloke/ChapLine- QueuePacifier- DummyPeriod- Full StopSoccer- FootballGas- PetrolEraser- Rubber The rest of the common language will be discussed at the first and second seminar.
19. Top 5 Things You Need to Know The Handshake is the most common greeting form. When you meet the British, they may seem a little distant or stiff at first. Avoid prolonged eye contact to prevent the other person from feeling uncomfortable but don’t forget to make eye contact and use a firm handshake when meeting. You should use courtesy titles of Mr., Mrs., and Miss. Make sure not to ask questions that are too personal; people are very private in the United Kingdom, and also like their personal space. It is very important to be prompt. Make sure to be on time to all of our meetings, ESPECIALLY the morning seminars!!! It is expected that people stay in line (queues) when necessary. The British like to form orderly lines and expect you to wait your turn, so skipping (queue jumping) is considered extremely rude. It is expected that you leave a 10% tip at restaurants or cafes or to taxi fare. You should give a small tip when hotel staff offers a special service, but avoid showing the money. Place the money in your hand, and say thank you, while pushing the money in their hand during a handshake.
20. Performing Arts in England Theatre consists of performance as a form of story telling. It requires actors playing parts of characters, following a script or performing improvisation. It also may include a crew to work the technical aspects of making sets, choosing costumes, or using sound and lighting equipment. Theatre has been enjoyed as an art form around the world, and especially in England from the middle ages onward. It is an important part of England’s history and culture, and is notable because William Shakespeare was an Englishman. Groups of actors worked together as a playing company, similar to how we are assembled as a troupe. The English Renaissance Theatre Era ended in London,1642 because the rising Puritan movement saw entertainment as sinful, and theaters were closed down. It is fascinating that today the art form persists. Women were once forbidden from performing, and men played the female roles as well. Today, both men and women as well as people of all ages can take a chance to perform on the stage.
21. Communication Challenges You feel offended by what a member of the British troupe says or you unintentionally say something rude. - The British have a different sense of humor. They can be extremely sarcastic. Consider this if you feel sensitive to something that they said; consider laughing it off. Joke around with them, but avoid ethnic jokes or stereotypes. - If you feel criticized, try to improve what you are doing but realize that the local troupe was selected according to the same criteria as you. They are there to befriend and work with you! - If you find yourself in a situation where you make a member of the local troupe feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to apologize. It is said that when bumping into others, they will say sorry even if it is not their fault. Take a hint from their behavior! You were told to do a task by the chaperone, but are not clear on what to do. -Don’t be afraid to communicate. Ask questions. Make sure everyone knows what they are doing to avoid mishaps. - Ask a friend if they know what you are supposed to be doing or if they can work with you temporarily while you try to figure things out. - Be quick in finding clarification for your task. It is better to ask about what you are doing before it is too late. (You won’t want to paint a set as a flower garden if it’s meant to be a forest!)
22. Interpersonal Conflict Someone thinks that their opinion is always right, causing conflict with other members in the groups. -Use an “I” Message to resolve the conflict. It is perfectly normal that group members will disagree or have conflict. -Spend some time apart from the group member and let any negative feelings blow over before speaking again so you can think clearly about the situation. - Gently but directly suggest that the person should consider how everyone else feels about his/her actions. An event has formed a noticeable rift between some group members. - Pull the members aside and try to get them to feel empathy or understand each other. If one is upset because their friend got a role that they wanted, their friend should comfort them rather then letting them feel rejected. Empathy is important. - Brainstorm ways to let the members connect again. If they formerly loved discussing old movies, try to bring them together to remember that rather than the negative experience between them. - Isolate them, with the watch of a chaperone, so they can tell each other what has bothered them about each other. Let them agree with one another so that they can see each others’ perspective then try to resolve their feelings from there.
23. Teamwork & Diversity Challenges Someone tries to take charge and boss everyone around while in rehearsal. (A peer decides to step into the director role!) - Step aside with them and lightly remind them that they shouldn’t have to worry about so many responsibilities because the skit is a team effort. - Make valuable suggestions in a friendly way to serve as an example of how they should act, rather than being bossy. This helps to divide the power to all members of the group. Give everyone else a chance to contribute. - Have a chaperone gently tell them to focus on their current job and that later the group will together reflect on everyone’s accomplishments later. You strongly disagree with an idea that everyone else in the group seems to support. (Using a certain costume when you see one that you think suits the character better) - Consider the reasons why you do not like the idea. Try to compromise if necessary; sometimes you have to deal with the fact that you must accept the majority vote. - State your opinion calmly and support it. You may have a good point that no one can consider until you share it. Everyone’s opinion is valued, and differing opinions stem from perspectives of diverse people. - Continue to work on the current idea that was proposed and remember that there will be other times where your idea will be carried out.
