coming north of the border: cultural adjustment of latinos at us campuses nacac national conference,...

Coming North of the Border: Cultural Adjustment of Latinos at

US Campuses

Nacac National Conference, September 20-Nacac National Conference, September 20-23, 200123, 2001

San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas

Coming North of the Border: Cultural Adjustment of Latinos at US Campuses

Georgia Costalas

College Placement Counselor

Colegio Bolivar, Cali, Colombia

Introduction

Session I Introduction Simulation Game Discussion of Intercultural Communication Review of Culture Shock Characteristics for Good Intercultural

Communication Questions

Introduction

Session II US Educational Philosophy US values Latino Characteristics vs. US Students speak; Situations Questions

Not Waving Not Waving But DrowningBut Drowning

by Stevie Smith

Nobody heard him, the dead man,But still he lay moaning:I was much further out than you thoughtAnd not waving but drowning.

Poor chap, he always loved larkingAnd now he’s deadIt must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,They said.

Oh no no no, it was too cold always(Still the dead one lay moaning)I was much too far out all my lifeAnd not waving but drowning.

Stage I

Length of Time:A few days to several weeks

Reaction to Host culture:Student finds this foreign culture interesting,

fascinating, admirable, at worst, quaint. The student is curious and excited, euphoric.

Student sees the similarities between the new culture with his/her own and pleasantly decides all peoples and their cultures are basically the same.

Stage II

Length of Time: A few weeks to several months--very often this hits

about 3 months after arrival, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Reaction to Host culture:The differences between host and native culture lead to

feelings of discomfort, frustration, inadequacy. Student may withdraw, lose motivation, be depressed, homesick, angry, hostile, oversleep or overeat.

Student has become increasingly aware of the differences between his/her culture and the host culture. He/She may have already encountered some problems due to the differences.

Stage III

Length of Time: Months, overlaps to some degree with Alienation

Reaction to Host culture:Gradually the new culture makes sense. The newly

gained knowledge and understanding of the culture leads to successful interactions. The student has increased self confidence increases, pride in functioning successfully.

Student is beginning to understand cultural cues even as he/she is becoming successful at school activities. He/She is sure of survival in the new culture.

Stage IV

At this stage the student can live easily in both cultures. The differences between the cultures are accepted and the student can choose to enjoy parts of the new culture as well as his/her own. He/She can communicate readily in the new culture and enjoy much of the new culture. The student feels at home, comfortable, can see things from the host culture perspective.

Reverse Culture Shock--the trip home!

After success in the new culture the sojourner wants to tell those at home about experience and finds disinterestedness. This leads to feeling disconnected, disoriented, irritable, homesick for overseas site, ambivalent about "home"

The traveler may criticize home and friends, be lethargic, have keen interest in foreign affairs and news.

Understanding one’s one values and culture and re-evaluating those values: holding onto, discarding or adapting values.

Developing a wider and better understanding of the world.

Advantages of having lived through culture shock

What can one do for culture shock?

1. Acknowledge feelings without judging oneself.

2. Find a sympathetic listener, but do not hang out with those who are very

negative about the host culture

Rest, Sleep enoughStress uses more energy;You will need more rest.

4. Keep a diary--you will be able to see howfar you have come.5. Stay in touch with family and friends

6. Be optimistic7. Know your new home8. Resist negative judgements

Characteristics that encourage intercultural communication

from The Handbook of Foreign Student Advising by Gary Althen

Nonjudgmentalness

Interest in Cultural Differences

Respect for Others

Tolerance for AmbiguityTolerance for AmbiguitySociability

Patience

Intelligence

Self Awareness

Kindness

Coming North of the Border: Transition of Latinos at US

Campuses

Section II

Introduction

Session II US Educational Philosophy US values Latino Characteristics vs. US Students speak; Situations Questions

US Educational PhilosophyUS Educational Philosophy

AccessibilityUniversal LiteracyEqual Opportunity

Local Control Parental InvolvementWell Rounded People

More Knowledge to Come

From “Education” in American Ways

The Values Americans The Values Americans Live ByLive By

L. Robert KohlsThe Washington International Center, 1984

Americans have a clearly identifiable value in 13 areas

Personal Control Over the EnvironmentChangeTimeEquality/EgalitarianismIndividualismSelf-Help ConceptCompetition and Free EnterpriseFuture Orientation Action/Work OrientationInformalityDirectness, Openness and HonestyPracticality and EfficiencyMaterialism

Fluid, Casual,value individualism,independencedirectness

Long lasting and close,People oriented;Value group effort and

Cooperation

Relationships

Colombian characteristics, for exampleColombian characteristics, for example

Tolerant for the ambivalent--Colombians are Tolerant for the ambivalent--Colombians are ready to believe that there could be another ready to believe that there could be another possibility beside the obvious. They are possibility beside the obvious. They are slower to jump to conclusions. Flexible slower to jump to conclusions. Flexible when they see situations arise. Tolerant of when they see situations arise. Tolerant of difficulties, and interruptions to a schedule.difficulties, and interruptions to a schedule.

Time

Compulsive TimeOrientation;

Plans for future;Structures life around

time;Future Oriented

Extended TimeOrientation;

Lives for today;Structures life

aroundPeople;Past and PresentOriented

Life’s Accomplishments

Achievement Oriented;Value goals, efficiency;

More achievement=More reward

People Oriented;Value relationships;

Working well togetheris important

Equality of Genders

Equality Valued(and litigated)

Machismo Prevalent

Directness in Expression

Directness is desireD;Honesty at all costs;

allowance for disagreement

Directness is Avoidedfor sake of Relationships;Unanimity is valued

Power to Determine Life

People can and shouldcontrol their environment;

People with Power areequal to those without

Life is determined by external forces;

There is distance betweenthose with power and those

without

Access to Opportunity

Equal Opportunity

Hierarchy of Opportunity

Feeling of Uncertainty

Thrive on uncertainty;Enjoy taking risks

Avoid Uncertainty;“Mejor malo conocido que

bueno por Conocer

The Students Talk

Survey Questions:

What were some of the difficulties or challenges in the American culture that you faced when arriving to the US?

How do you think that you helped yourself overcome these difficulties?

What advice would you give to other Latinos who are preparing to come to a US campus?

Latinos face the same challenges as all students entering the college:

missing friends and family; food and the comforts of home;

confronting unfamiliar weather and environment;

but the differences are greater and the geographical distances from the familiar are further.

Some of the challenges reveal the special social class of many of the Latinos who go to US campuses: loss of luxuries and status I was used to having a

maid cook for me and arriving at home every night to a warm, healthy, balanced meal. It’s hard especially for us "spoiled Bolivar brats." We’re used to our own rooms and the luxuries of maids.

What I had learned about the U.S. was that this country fostered a true melting pot, with almost no differences across the different ethnic and cultural groups. I have seen a very different picture. People make so many ridiculous generalizations about members of one ethnic group or another and “explain” what it is that makes people from other races inferior.

The cold truth that I was in an Caucasian/Anglo-Saxon ruled country.

Prejudice and racism

People here think you are a criminal just because you are Colombian.

Prejudice and racism

Americans have irrational stereotypes concerning Mexicans, and Latin Americans in general.I cannot count how many times

people have referred to me as a drug addict, dealer, mafia person, etc.

BEING SEEN AS A MINORITY, AND HAVING PEOPLE THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE I AM LATINO, I WANT TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO THEM.

The most challenging experience was to see how students behave themselves in class. They are very outgoing and not afraid to express their opinion. In class, many of them don't find it disrespectful to eat or put their feet on top of the chairs, even though they sit in the front row.

I was smoking outside of a mall once, where it is legal to smoke, and three different women came up to me screaming because I was smoking.

Everything in the U.S. is so controlled that people need to be interfearing [sic] with your lives.

Public Behavior and Laws

Drinking age! They have very radical measures with under age drinking.

Use of slang, body language, American relationships.

The American culture is colder (no hugs or kisses when saying hi, for example) and also its much more based upon structure and process. By this, I mean that people are restricted to what they have to do rather that what they could do. Moving out of the procedural or planned seems to become too much of a burden

No social life, very individual, directness, very planned life, strict personal space, little physical contact, fast life, deadline oriented.

Life seems to be too quick.. no one has time for anything..

People here are toooooo cold.

Cleaning habits!!! from my experience and my friends experiences, americans in the dorms have terrible cleaning habits. It is a shock when your roommate or suitemate is american. They usually just throw every thing every where in the room and the hall, never do laundry and never clean the bathroom after using it. (I don't want to generalize)

American students lack manners, are immature, sloppy, and loud

The American culture could be very tough and rude to Colombians or foreigners, this could make you very sad.

One of the most shocking things to me the sexual promiscuity, so blatant

Everyone was into extreme sex.

Everybody does drugs.

The girls were just all getting drunk and the guys seemed to be standing around waiting which one was drunk enough to take home with them.

I felt that the American kids were dealing with the overwhelming aspect of freedom, going crazy and drinking.

Private Behavior

Advice does not always agree

First, Second and Third steer clear of every latino you see. Ignore them, be rude, do not attend their parties, do not study with them. Do not take international classes unless they make you. Get yourself a native english speaking girl/boyfriend. Give yourself permission to have latino friends only after completion of your 3rd year

Don't hang out with only Latinos

Get a latino roomate.

Choose a University were the percentage of Latinos is high.

I looked for the latino group because I

found it really hard to adjust to the american way of

having fun.

Be open to others, in a cautious way

Definitely get in touch with someone who was gone over this process so they can guide you through.

You should be ready to put up with a lot of ignorance and intolerance, and begin developing a thick skin.

Be very open minded and try to accept the American culture and not to fight against it. That will not take you anywhere.

Survival Strategies

Watch out with the law!! you can get in trouble with what you think are stupid things.

...winter does actually end...

HANG ON TO YOUR VALUES AND ROOTS

Be always on time, treat everyone fairly, be 110% honest, be very kind and work hard.

Show the positive aspects of your Culture.

Be yourself and be secure, be proud of the country which you come from and be nice to everybody.

Be an Ambassador

Sacrifice a little comfort in exchange for wonderful experiences that will help you to grow and that you can enjoy if you maintain a positive attitude.

Learn from new experiences and allow them to broaden your horizons.

Take Advantage of the Opportunity

Bottom line, love the place you are in!

Understand a little bit more the history of America. When one understands the challenges that the first people had to go through, where they came from, why the came to America and how the US has seen itself surpass other countries one can better understand why Americans are the way they are. So the answer is study their history.

Georgia CostalasColegio BolivarAA 26300Cali, Colombia

E-mail: gcostalas@colegiobolivar.edu.co