1. Culture Adaptations
By: Alice Stefu
• Humans tend to lose their culture and forget
their traditions when moving to a new country
with a new society and culture.
• They start to adapt to their new lifestyle,
culture and traditions, forgetting their own
culture they grew up with as a child
• From generation to generation, humans also
have faced challenges adapting to their new
environment, conditions and resources

2. A Touch On Culture
• Culture is defined as “that complex whole which
includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and
any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a
member of a society
•Every culture is socially learned, shared, based on
symbols, integrated, and dynamic
•Humans have come to depend on culture adaptation, a
complex of ideas, technologies, and activities that
enables them to survive and thrive in their environment
•People do not react to an environment as given; people
react to it as they perceive it, and different groups of
people perceive the same environment in radically
different ways
•For a culture to be successful, it must produce collective
human behavior that is generally adaptive to the natural
environment

3. Adapting to a Foreign Country
• The first step in preparing for life in a new
culture is to educate yourself about the
country you’re moving to
• Become familiar with the language spoken
and be aware of the polite forms of address
• Beware of hand gestures and get a feel for
social customs
• Another factor is culture shock: A condition of
anxiety and disorientation that can affect
someone suddenly exposed to a new culture.

4. Romanian Culture Facts
• Location: Romania is located in Europe
• 91% of people in Romania speak the Romanian language,
6.7% speak Hungarian and 1.1% speak Romany (Gypsy)
• Major religion is Eastern Orthodox 86.8%
• Greetings: Men greet women by kissing their hands and
cheeks as a sign and respect, women greeting women and
men greeting men may also kiss cheeks if they are close
• Gender issues: Women are becoming more westernized,
especially younger women. Men are still dominant in
business, government and politics
• Gifts: If you are invited for dinner or a drink in a Romanian
home, you should always bring a gift such as a bottle of
wine, flowers or a dessert. Always tend to give flowers in
odd numbers because even numbers are given at funerals

5. Iran Culture Facts
• Location: Iran is located in Africa and The Middle East
• Language: The official language is Persian and Persian dialects 58%
• Major Religions: Shi’a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 9%, Zoroastrian,
Jewish, Christian and Baha’I 2%
• Greetings: Men greeting women, those who are religious do not
make shake hands or make eye contact with members of the
opposite sex in public
• Gender Roles: Today, more women are getting integrated into male
jobs, especially in cities like Tehran. The traditional role of women in
society consists of cooking, cleaning and watching the children
• Gifts: If invited in an Iranian home, you must always bring a small
gift. Appropriate gifts include a plate of sweets, cookies or flowers.
Avoid bringing alcohol as a gift

6. Indian Culture Facts
• Location: India is located in Asia
• Hindi is the national language, but English is most important in national,
political and commercial communication
• Major Religions: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%,
• Greetings: In greetings between men and women, in formal and business
situations it is usually best to let the women initiate contact. Many Indian
women will avoid contact with men in public situations
• Gender issues: Depending on the area, women’s rights are either
established, dawning or non-existent
• Gifts: Wrapping presents in green, yellow or red is the best way to go.
Avoid black and white. To be on the safe side, avoid insulting your host’s
religion. Stay away from leather, alcohol, pigskin or dog related gifts. Safe
gifts include chocolates or flowers. If you give money, make sure it is an
odd number.

7. Fieldwork
 I interviewed three different women from three different cultures: Nahid Zadegan-Persian,
Sharanjit Kaur-Indian and Ioana Andrei-Romanian (Pictures located underneath, Ioana is in
the upright corner)
 I set up a one on one interview with each of them asking 31 questions about past traditions,
new traditions and culture adaptations from their hometown to America

8. Romanian Interview: Ioana Andrei
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Ioana moved to America in 1994 by winning a lottery visa. She knew very little English
Her native language is Romanian and she moved from Constanta, Romania with her husband and daughter
Her first city/state she moved to was New York, NY then she moved to Portland, Or and finally settled in Seattle, WA in
December of 1995, she has lived in the states for 19 years
The struggles of leaving Romania for Ioana was that she was leaving family behind and her husband, daughter and herself
only came with one suitcase each
Ioana still keeps a relationship back home with her sister, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins and a few friends
Some Romanian dishes include Mici, Sarmale, Salata de Beuf and Salami de Biscuiti
Romanian traditions regarding what people do for a living is that people mostly walk everywhere, they hang dry their
clothes on a wire and most people live in apartments
Romanian traditions regarding religion/holidays: Romanian’s religion is Greek Orthodox, the holidays they celebrate is
Easter and Christmas, there are also Saint days where you are not allowed to wash clothing or do any work which are
specific days on the Greek Calendar
Romanian traditions regarding gift exchanges: During St. Nicholas children put a shoe by the door to get a gift. During
Christmas and New Years carolers sing from door to door in groups for money
Romanian traditions regarding death: Celebrate death every 3 months for a year, then once a year for 7 years. You
celebrate with a family gathering with traditional food and drinks
Ioana was taught these traditions growing up in her family at a young age
The whole Romanian community followed these traditions
Ioana still follows the Romanian traditions, specifically with death, cooking Romanian dishes, celebrating holidays and
going to the Orthodox church. She has not forgot her past traditions and culture
In America, Ioana learned the new holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. She also learned different
cultured foods, such as American but other countries as well
Ioana’s lifestyle has changed by moving to America by being able to succeed on her American Dream with having a home,
car and being financially stable
Her family has gained new traditions in America by learning the language, the fashion and adapted to the new lifestyle
The struggles of communicating with people in America were not being able to understand people because they rarely
knew any language. Ioana and her husband took English courses and learned English by watching cartoons on TV
The hardest part of settling in a new culture was the language, finding work and everything seemed opposite of back
home
Ioana is now 100% used to the American culture and society, she would never want to move back to Romania

9. Iran Interview: Nahid Zadegan
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Nahid moved to America in 1989 from Tehran, Iran with only knowing a little English
Her native language is Farsi,
She has lived in Seattle, WA 23 years
She moved with her husband and daughter, her second daughter was born in America
Persian food dishes examples: Basmati rice, Ghormehsabzi, ZereshkPollo, Chelo Kabob
Iran traditions with children: Children take care of their elderly
Iran traditions regarding holidays: Persian New Year, Religious holidays,
Iran traditions regarding gift exchange: Persian New Year exchange money
Iran traditions regarding marriage: You cannot live together until marriage
Iran traditions regarding death: Ceremony 3rd day, 7th day, 40th day and 1 year
Nahid was taught these traditions at a young age, and the whole community followed the traditions
in Iran
The traditions are still followed in America and she still keeps a relationship with family and friends
back home
Living in American, Nahid has learned new holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day
Nahid’s lifestyle changed when moving to America by not covering up her face
Nahid’s two daughters keep a little bit of the their Iran traditions
The struggles of moving to American for Nahid was that people spoke English really fast for her to
understand at first
The hardest part of settling into a new culture for Nahid was starting a new beginning, with a new
lifestyle
Nahid is now used to the American culture and society and she would not want to return home

10. Indian Interview: Sharanjit Kaur
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Sharanjit moved to America in 1999
She was able to speak medium English when moving to America
The language she spoke in India was Punjabi
She moved from Punjab, India to California first, then settled in Seattle, WA
She has lived in the States for 14 years
Sharanjit still keeps a relationship back home with her family and friends
Sharanjit moved with her husband and sister-in-law when first moving to America, she then had two sons that were born in
the States
She had no career when first moving to America
The struggles of leaving home was leaving her family behind
Indian food/drink dishes: Traditional tea, and Chapati
Indian traditions regarding what people do for a living: is that when parents get older, the children take care of them
Indian traditions regarding religion: God she and her family worships named Goru Nankadevji
Indian traditions regarding gift exchanges: When you visit another Indian family, guests bring gifts or money
Indian traditions regarding marriage: Indians believe in arranged marriage
Indian traditions regarding death: People celebrate death within 10 days, then they celebrate every year if the families can
afford it
Sharanjit was taught these traditions at a very young age, growing up in her family
The whole Indian community, family and friends all followed the Indian culture and traditions
Sharanjit only follows the easier traditions of her past, and she has gained new traditions in the American culture with
Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Sharanjit’s lifestyle has changed when moving to America with learning to drive and wearing more casual clothing, such as
jeans and pants because she used to wear traditional Indian dresses
Her two sons do not keep any past traditions, she has to remind them of specific Indian holidays
Her family has gained new traditions when moving and living in America
Sharanjit had no struggles with communicating with people, she was just scared to move
The hardest part of settling in a new culture for her were getting used to the new lifestyle in America
Sharanjit is now used to the American culture and society and she only would go back to her hometown to visit