1. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Cultural Shock
“It is the mark of the cultured man that he is
aware of the fact that equality is an ethical and
not a biological principle”
Ashley Montagu
Milson Veloso
Leonardo Machado
Counselors Globe Trotter
2011-2012

2. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Cultural Shock
how to be prepared to a
cross-cultural experience

3. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
 What is Cultural Shock
 Why to be prepared
 How to deal successfully

4. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
What is Cultural Shock?
It’s a natural
human reaction,
when facing
different ways of
living, from those
we are used to.

5. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Why to be prepared
 You are representing Globe Trotter,
your Country, your Culture...
 You have a work to accomplish...
 You will deal with people...
 You must get something significant
from this experience...

6. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
We react in different ways
 Surprise  Feelings of inadequacy
 Rejection  Homesickness
 Angry  Boredom
 Anxiety  Fatigue
 Helplessness  Paranoia
 Depression  Physical Ailments
 Curiosity

8. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
All the places have an ugly side
How to look at them, it’s up to you!

9. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Ways of living differ on
Food
Signals
Language
Religion
Social rules

10. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Let’s practice!
 Imagine you are meeting YMCA members from
different countries
 Like you, each one must respect their own
cultural rules
 Follow the guidelines, greeting your colleagues
in accordance to your role
 Take time to explain to your colleagues
something about your culture

11. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
What’s the matter in Changing?
 Physiological
 Psychological
 Sociological

12. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Transition Stages Through Changes
Denial Commitment
Resistance Exploration
Based on Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

13. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Denial
• Avoid the
topic of the
change
• Naive
enthusiasm
Based on Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

14. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
• “Why me?”
• Show anger
• Complain
• Feel overwhelmed,
depressed
Resistance
Based on Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

15. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Symptoms – Stage 2
 Anxiety  Homesickness
 Helplessness  Boredom
 Depression  Fatigue
 Self doubt  Paranoia
 Feelings of inadequacy  Physical Ailments

16. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
• Are energetic
• Learn and
discover
possibilities
• People are
ready to plan for
the future
Exploration
Based on Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

17. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Commitment
• Able to
leverage
opportunities
• Feel
accountable
for the results
Based on Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

18. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Summary : Cultural Shock Phases
1. Initial Euphoria
2. Irritability and hostility
3. Gradual Adjustment
4. Adaptation and
Biculturalism

19. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
And when you come back… guess what!?
When you go… When you’re back…

20. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
How to overcome Cultural Shock
 Be an avid learner about the country
 Find someone that has been there to gain
perspective
 Establish strong friendship with people from
the host culture
 Be ready to laugh at yourself

21. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
How to overcome Cultural Shock
 Avoid foreigners complaining about
the host culture
 Make a list of positive things about the
culture
 Try to trace every “strange action” to
its underlying values

22. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Wrap Up...
 Cultural Shock
it’s natural, but with
preparation can be
lessened
 Change Management
accepting it’s a process, it
will help you to overcome
the difficulties

23. ICCP 2012
Globe Trotter
Cultural Shock
Happiness is a choice!
Milson Veloso
milsonveloso@hotmail.com
Leonardo Machado
leonardohm@gmail.com
Counselors Globe Trotter
2011-2012