Cultural Sensitivity:Cultural Sensitivity:Training The YEOTraining The YEO

Dennis WhiteDennis Whitedkwhite@itol.comdkwhite@itol.com

www.yeoresources.orgwww.yeoresources.org

Or …Or …What every YEO What every YEO

should know about should know about training YE training YE

participants about participants about cultureculture

This presentation and all others of This presentation and all others of mine at this conference may be mine at this conference may be

found at found at www.yeoresources.orgwww.yeoresources.org

When viewed on line, clicking on When viewed on line, clicking on any of the underlined hyperlinks any of the underlined hyperlinks will take the viewer to additional will take the viewer to additional

articles, presentations and articles, presentations and resources.resources.

USA Canada YE Network Conference March 9-11, 2006

Houston, Texas

The ultimate in Multi-tasking?

The best preparation The best preparation is to try to is to try to

understand the understand the conceptconcept of culture of culture

and the idea of and the idea of cultural differencescultural differences

Who needs training in Who needs training in understanding cultural understanding cultural

differences?differences?

IB, OB, RB, Parents, Host IB, OB, RB, Parents, Host parents,YEOsparents,YEOs

EveryoneEveryone in YE in YE

What is culture?What is culture?

• Culture is learned behavior, not Culture is learned behavior, not

hereditary or genetic. hereditary or genetic. • Culture is the acquired knowledge Culture is the acquired knowledge

(not indigenous or instinctual) that (not indigenous or instinctual) that

groups use in order to interpret the groups use in order to interpret the

world around them, to generate social behavior, and to decipher the behavior world around them, to generate social behavior, and to decipher the behavior

of others. of others.

• Culture is everything that is not aCulture is everything that is not a part of nature. part of nature. As an example, a tree is part of the natural world whereas a wooden chair, made from the tree, is part of the multiple inventions As an example, a tree is part of the natural world whereas a wooden chair, made from the tree, is part of the multiple inventions and manifestations of culture. and manifestations of culture.

• Communication, particularly Communication, particularly language, is the foundation oflanguage, is the foundation of culture. Language labels, creates,culture. Language labels, creates, maintains, and transforms culture. maintains, and transforms culture.

Language is not only the way culture is Language is not only the way culture is transmitted – it is one of the lenses transmitted – it is one of the lenses through which culture is createdthrough which culture is created

What do they mean?What do they mean?• You are invited to take You are invited to take advantage of advantage of

the chambermaid.the chambermaid. Japanese Japanese hotelhotel

• I slaughter myself twice daily.I slaughter myself twice daily.

Israeli Israeli butcher butcher • Ladies, leave your clothes here andLadies, leave your clothes here and

have a wonderful time.have a wonderful time. French laundryFrench laundry

““Kept by Thy Kept by Thy tender care, gladly tender care, gladly the cross I‘d bear”the cross I‘d bear”

““Gladly, the cross-Gladly, the cross-eyed bear!”eyed bear!”

““Sleep in heavenly Sleep in heavenly peace.”peace.”

““Sleep in heavenly Sleep in heavenly peas!”peas!”

““Round yon virgin Round yon virgin mother and child.”mother and child.”

““Round John Virgin, Round John Virgin, mother and child!”mother and child!”

What is culture?What is culture?

CultureCultureAn integrated system of An integrated system of

learned behavior patterns learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of that are characteristic of

any given society or group. any given society or group. It refers to the total way It refers to the total way

of life, including how of life, including how people think, feel and people think, feel and

behave.behave.

Metaphorically, culture is the lens Metaphorically, culture is the lens through which we see the world.through which we see the world.

Think of color-blindness as Think of color-blindness as culture-blindnessculture-blindness

You can’t trust You can’t trust your eyes when your eyes when your imagination your imagination is out of focus.is out of focus.  

Mark Mark TwainTwain

Ethnocentrism:Ethnocentrism:

The universal The universal tendency for any tendency for any culture to see its culture to see its own values and own values and

practices as natural practices as natural and correct.and correct.

• Native American/First Native American/First Canadian Canadian terms for themselves: terms for themselves: Human Human BeingsBeings

• The Mediterranean SeaThe Mediterranean Sea

• ““China” means “middle earth”China” means “middle earth”

• In Ecuador, the monument at In Ecuador, the monument at the equator is roughly the equator is roughly translated as “The middle of translated as “The middle of the world”the world”

““Americans are a very Americans are a very patriotic people. They are patriotic people. They are very open and they wear very open and they wear their hearts on their sleeves. their hearts on their sleeves. They don’t stand on They don’t stand on ceremony. They take people ceremony. They take people as they are. They make no as they are. They make no distinction about a person’s distinction about a person’s background. background.

They say what they mean, with They say what they mean, with real forcefulness. They invite real forcefulness. They invite you to visit them in their you to visit them in their homes from the moment they homes from the moment they meet you. They are meet you. They are irrepressible, good-humored, irrepressible, good-humored, ambitious and brimming with ambitious and brimming with self-confidence in any self-confidence in any company... company...

… … Aside from all that, I Aside from all that, I have nothing against have nothing against them.”them.”

Ethnorelativism:Ethnorelativism:

The acquired ability The acquired ability to see many values, to see many values, beliefs and behaviors beliefs and behaviors as cultural rather than as cultural rather than

universal.universal.

Developing Intercultural SensitivityDeveloping Intercultural Sensitivity

The Experience of DifferenceThe Experience of Difference

Denial Defense MinimizationDenial Defense Minimization

Ethnocentric StagesEthnocentric Stages Ethnorelative StagesEthnorelative Stages

Acceptance AdaptationAcceptance Adaptation IntegrationIntegration

dev interc sensit non Rotary.ppt  

One World or Many.doc  

Developing cultural Developing cultural sensitivity and competence sensitivity and competence

requires moving fromrequires moving from

Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism

to to Ethnorelativism Ethnorelativism

““The world in which you were The world in which you were born is just one model of born is just one model of

reality. Other cultures are reality. Other cultures are notnot failed attempts at being like failed attempts at being like

you. They are unique you. They are unique manifestations of the human manifestations of the human

spirit ”. spirit ”. Wade DavisWade Davis

DefensivenessDefensiveness

Recognizing a cultural Recognizing a cultural practice as different but practice as different but labeling it wrong or labeling it wrong or inferior.inferior.Or, by labeling one’s own Or, by labeling one’s own practice superior.practice superior.

Our own culture, or sub-culture, comes to Our own culture, or sub-culture, comes to us as us as naturally and unconsciously as our naturally and unconsciously as our handedness.handedness.

We generally don’t think about what hand We generally don’t think about what hand we we will use to write our names. will use to write our names.

Changing our cultural point of view is Changing our cultural point of view is about asabout as hard as changing our handedness. Both hard as changing our handedness. Both areare possible, but neither is easy. possible, but neither is easy.

..

More easily perceived More easily perceived differences, in language, food, differences, in language, food, dress, etc., may obscure dress, etc., may obscure deeper, more subtle deeper, more subtle differences in values and differences in values and thinking patterns. thinking patterns.

The Cultural The Cultural IcebergIceberg

1/81/8thth above above the surfacethe surface

7/87/8thths below s below the surfacethe surface

Conscious Conscious behaviorsbehaviors

Unconscious Unconscious beliefs and beliefs and

valuesvalues

Fundamentals of Fundamentals of Understanding Understanding

Cultural DifferencesCultural Differencesunderstanding cultural understanding cultural

differences.ppt differences.ppt 

Understanding Cultural Understanding Cultural Differences - YEO Differences - YEO

Preconference.doc  Preconference.doc 

Individualism Group Individualism Group OrientationOrientationFormality Formality InformalityInformalityPast Past Future Future Directness Directness

IndirectnessIndirectness ChangeChange PermanencePermanence

ChangeChange Permanence Permanence

IndividualismIndividualism Group Group orientationorientation

Case study:Case study:

The development of the The development of the personal listening device.personal listening device.

Walkman – Discman – MP3 – Walkman – Discman – MP3 – Ipod Ipod

ChangeChange PermanencePermanence

IndividualismIndividualism

Group Group orientationorientation

Many Middle-Many Middle-Eastern Eastern culturescultures

CultureCulture ShockShock The profound sense of The profound sense of

disorientation and discomfort disorientation and discomfort that comes with extended travel that comes with extended travel or living in a foreign culture or living in a foreign culture markedly different from one’s markedly different from one’s own.own.

Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock Presentation.pptPresentation.ppt

Culture Shock.doc  Culture Shock.doc 

Stages of Culture ShockStages of Culture Shock

1.1. Initial excitementInitial excitement

2.2. Irritability and negativenessIrritability and negativeness

3.3. Gradual adaptationGradual adaptation

4.4. BiculturalismBiculturalism

Culture Shock.docCulture Shock.doc

““Some travelers want to Some travelers want to go to foreign places but go to foreign places but are dismayed when the are dismayed when the

places turn out actually to places turn out actually to be foreignbe foreign.”.”

Canadian author Margaret AtwoodCanadian author Margaret Atwood

Culture Shock CycleCulture Shock Cycle

Pre-Departure Months

Normal Level of Feelings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …...

Rotary Youth ExchangeRotary Youth Exchange

Adapted from a model by Robert KohlsAdapted from a model by Robert Kohls

The Middle Wave of The Middle Wave of Culture ShockCulture Shock

The Middle Wave of Culture The Middle Wave of Culture Shock.doc Shock.doc

Reverse Culture ShockReverse Culture Shock

1.1. Initial Euphoria (may be very brief Initial Euphoria (may be very brief or not happen at all)or not happen at all)

2.2. Irritability and Negativism ( may be Irritability and Negativism ( may be very lengthy)very lengthy)

3.3. Gradual AdaptationGradual Adaptation4.4. True Bi-CulturalismTrue Bi-Culturalism Going Home.doc Going Home.doc So You Think You're Home Now.doc So You Think You're Home Now.doc

Culture Shock and Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock are Reverse Culture Shock are not just unpleasant side not just unpleasant side effects of international effects of international living.living.

They are the necessary They are the necessary ingredients that bring ingredients that bring about quality exchanges. about quality exchanges.

Be aware of the Be aware of the

Inbound SyndromeInbound Syndrome

The Inbound Syndrome revised.docThe Inbound Syndrome revised.doc  

The almost universal The almost universal tendency of expatriates, tendency of expatriates, regardless of country of regardless of country of origin, to bond together as origin, to bond together as “outsiders”.“outsiders”.

It becomes a distinct sub-It becomes a distinct sub-culture, where what is culture, where what is held in common is being held in common is being foreign.foreign.

When you travel, When you travel, remember that a foreign remember that a foreign country is not designed to country is not designed to make make you you comfortable. It comfortable. It is designed to make its is designed to make its own peopleown people comfortable. comfortable.

Clifton Clifton FadimanFadiman

Outbound Exchange Outbound Exchange students need to know students need to know what their own cultural what their own cultural values are – regardless values are – regardless

of the culture of the culture

For students from the For students from the United States, this United States, this

means understanding means understanding American Cultural ValuesAmerican Cultural Values

American American VAlues.pptVAlues.ppt   

The Values Americans Live By.docThe Values Americans Live By.doc  

The best book I have read for training The best book I have read for training students is: students is:

Survival Kit for Overseas LivingSurvival Kit for Overseas Living

The best book for training host families: The best book for training host families: Host Family Survival KitHost Family Survival Kit

Both can be found at Both can be found at www.interculturalpress.comwww.interculturalpress.com

Along with many more Along with many more outstanding resources: books, outstanding resources: books,

simulations, videos, etc.simulations, videos, etc.

The Value of Simulations, The Value of Simulations, Games and Related ExercisesGames and Related Exercises

What they all offer is for What they all offer is for participants to simulate the participants to simulate the experience of intercultural experience of intercultural interaction, including the interaction, including the

uncertainty, frustration, and uncertainty, frustration, and related emotions that arise.related emotions that arise.

Games, Simulations and Other Learning Games, Simulations and Other Learning Exercises.ppt Exercises.ppt 

The Value of Simulations, The Value of Simulations, Games and Related ExercisesGames and Related Exercises

These exercises are only as These exercises are only as valuable as the discussion that valuable as the discussion that

follows – where behavioral follows – where behavioral observations, feelings and observations, feelings and

learning points are discussedlearning points are discussedGames, Simulations and Other Learning Games, Simulations and Other Learning

Exercises.ppt Exercises.ppt 

It’s all about process, It’s all about process, eh?eh?

Americans are Americans are benevolently ignorant benevolently ignorant about Canada, while about Canada, while Canadians are Canadians are malevolently well-malevolently well-informed about the United informed about the United States.States. J. Bartlett J. Bartlett BrebnerBrebner

People can learn to look for People can learn to look for issues in crossing cultures in issues in crossing cultures in

popular filmspopular films

Some Films That Present Differences in Some Films That Present Differences in Cultural Values.docCultural Values.doc

  

Dances With WolvesDances With Wolves

Some Films That Present Differences in Some Films That Present Differences in Cultural Values.docCultural Values.doc

  

Dances With WolvesDances With Wolves

1. Give two examples of ethnocentrism on the 1. Give two examples of ethnocentrism on the part part of the soldier John Dunbar.of the soldier John Dunbar.2. Give two examples of ethnocentrism on the 2. Give two examples of ethnocentrism on the part part of the Native Americans.of the Native Americans.3. Explain how John Dunbar experiences each 3. Explain how John Dunbar experiences each of of the four stages of culture shock.the four stages of culture shock.4. Property is a culturally-bound concept. 4. Property is a culturally-bound concept. How do How do the Anglo and Native American the Anglo and Native American cultures view cultures view items such as John Dunbar’s items such as John Dunbar’s horse and hat?horse and hat?

Other Study GuidesOther Study Guides

1.1. Dances With WolvesDances With Wolves

2.2. Mr. BaseballMr. Baseball

3.3. The TerminalThe Terminal

I’m working on :I’m working on :► My Big Fat Greek WeddingMy Big Fat Greek Wedding► Bend It Like BeckhamBend It Like Beckham► Robinson Crusoe (1997)Robinson Crusoe (1997)

Reluctant ParentsReluctant Parents

And grandparents, and And grandparents, and teachers, and…?teachers, and…?

International Exchange International Exchange Programs - Are the Educational Programs - Are the Educational Benefits Real ? Benefits Real ?

International Student Exchange International Student Exchange Programs.doc  Programs.doc 

To know the road To know the road ahead, ask those ahead, ask those coming back.coming back.

Chinese Chinese ProverbProverb

Rebound Training Rebound Training NeedsNeeds

Rebound Training.doc Rebound Training.doc 

How I Have Changed?How I Have Changed?How Have I Changed.doc  How Have I Changed.doc 

An exercise using 44 An exercise using 44 statements that have statements that have

often been identified by often been identified by exchange students as exchange students as

significant changes from significant changes from the experience.the experience.

How I Have ChangedHow I Have Changed

One student’s responseOne student’s response My youth exchange year was one of My youth exchange year was one of

incredible change and growth for me. incredible change and growth for me. In addition to seeing so much of the In addition to seeing so much of the rest of the world, and making such rest of the world, and making such wonderful friends, I changed in ways I wonderful friends, I changed in ways I never knew were possible. never knew were possible.

How I Have ChangedHow I Have Changed

One student’s responseOne student’s response

I am more confident and positive I am more confident and positive when meeting new people. I have a when meeting new people. I have a greater ability to empathize with greater ability to empathize with others and to put myself in their others and to put myself in their place when making judgments. I have place when making judgments. I have greater willingness to take on new greater willingness to take on new roles and tasks. roles and tasks.

How I Have ChangedHow I Have Changed One student’s responseOne student’s response I have more ability to see myself I have more ability to see myself

objectively, in a more realistic objectively, in a more realistic context. I understand more fully my context. I understand more fully my own strengths and weaknesses. I am own strengths and weaknesses. I am more tolerant of ambiguous more tolerant of ambiguous situations and more open to differing situations and more open to differing interpretations of them. I feel greater interpretations of them. I feel greater respect and appreciation for my respect and appreciation for my family. family.

How I Have ChangedHow I Have Changed One student’s response One student’s response

And most of all, I feel more surely And most of all, I feel more surely that common bonds unite all human that common bonds unite all human beings. Thank you, Rotary for the beings. Thank you, Rotary for the best year of my life.best year of my life.

Cultural Sensitivity:Cultural Sensitivity:Training The YEOTraining The YEO

Dennis WhiteDennis Whitedkwhite@itol.comdkwhite@itol.com

www.yeoresources.orgwww.yeoresources.org

Dennis White, Ph.D.Dennis White, Ph.D.

207 S. 4th Avenue207 S. 4th Avenue

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 54235 Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 54235 USAUSA

Telephone: 920-746-1346Telephone: 920-746-1346

Fax: 920-746-1347Fax: 920-746-1347

Email: dkwhite@itol.comEmail: dkwhite@itol.com

www.yeoresources.orgwww.yeoresources.org