Name : Siti Yulyanah

NIM : 2223180045

Class : 5C

Subject : Cross Cultural Understanding

UNIT 3. Cross-Cultural Conflict and Adjustment

“What a wonderful country. People are so friendly. I love it here. It’s better than back home!”
Newcomer (After One Month in the United States)
“They do everything backwards here. I can’t make friends. I feel irritated all day long.
Nothing’s the same. I miss my own country.”
The Same Newcomer (After Seven Month in the United States)

 Pre-Reading Discussion
1. According to the authors, cultural adjustment is like a roller coaster ride with many ups
and downs. The quotes above show how someone’s reactions to living in another culture
can change over time. Explain the change in reaction of the newcomer after one month
and after seven months in the United States.
Answer:
The reaction of newcomers after being in the United States for one month shows a
happiness that I think is natural as a new person in a new place still has high enthusiasm
in enjoying every culture and atmosphere that is different from his home country.
However, after seven months of being there his reaction changed because his enthusiasm
had decreased, he was getting bored. Because after all the culture and customs of his
home country have stuck with him, that's what makes him annoyed every day and wants
to return to his home country.

2. There is a saying in English that if people feel that they do not fit in, they are like “fish
out of water.” Do you think a person in another culture is like a fish out of water?
Answer:
I think everyone has a difference of opinion on this. There is a person who can adapt well
and easily accept cultural changes when he is in another place or country that is different
from his home country. However, there are also those who feel uncomfortable with
cultural differences so that they feel like "fish out of water." So, all of this comes back to
 the opinion of each person. However, in my opinion, no matter how far we go, the
country of origin will always be missed, because the culture has been inherent in us.

3. How important is knowing the culture of a country if you already know the language?
Name a few of the most important aspects of cultural knowledge that one should have
before going to live in a foreign country.
Answer:
In my opinion, knowing the culture of a country is very important. Either we plan to live
abroad or not. In my opinion, studying a foreign culture is unique and fun because by
studying it we will know how the lives of people in other parts of the world. We can
emulate foreign cultures that are good to apply to our country and ourselves, for positive
changes and leaving negative ones.

 Pre-Reading Vocabulary
1. Definitions
The words “to adjust” and “to adapt” both deal with changing to meet the demands of a
new situation.
a. To adjust : to change in order to fit
b. To adapt : to make fit or suitable by changing or adjusting
Discussion : To what extent, if at all, does a person have to change in order to adjust or to
adapt a new culture? Must an individual’s personality change for the adjustment to be
successful?
Answer:
In my opinion, changes to adjust and to adapt to meet the demands of new situations are
equally important, in the sense of adapting to new cultural differences while still filtering
which cultures will adopt and maintain the positive culture of the country of origin.

2. Definitions
a. Elation : great happiness (“up”)
b. Depression : great sadness (“down”)
Discussion : In which situations (in another culture) are people’s feelings sometimes like
a roller coaster ride?
Answer:
In situations where we are faced with other people from other cultures, I think that's one
of the things that makes our feelings go up and down like a roller coaster.

3. Definitions
Culture shock : the response that an individual may have in a new country; the person
may feel confused and disoriented, and every aspect of daily life may be difficult.
Discussion : Going to live in another country means that a person will be “uprooted.”
When you plant a tree or flower and then move it to another place, what happens? Are
 there always problems? Are there ways to minimize these problems? What happens when
a person is taken by the “roots” and moved?
Answer:
I think when someone moves from one place to another, the answer is only one thing,
namely adapting. Like a plant that we move to another place, it will adapt, trying to adapt
to differences in weather, climate, water, etc. including humans,

4. Definitions
a. Integrate : to become a part or a member of
b. Carbon copy : an exact copy; the same as another
Discussion : Some people say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Do you agree?
Should people in a new culture try to retain some of their own culture, or should they
become just like the “Roman”?
Answer:
I think people in a new culture should be able to adjust, but have to filter out which
cultures can be followed and which are not. And I think people in a new culture will also
maintain their culture, especially if the culture is good.

 Skimming : For General Information

To get the general idea of the reading that follows:
1. Read the titles and headings of the sections,
2. Read the first and last paragraphs of the readings.
From your skimming, answer the following:
1. Is cultural adjustment possible?
Answer:
Cultural adaptation is difficult, but as a newcomer, I think I have to adjust. Because if it
can't be adjusted, it will feel like "Fish came out of the water" and of course it will not
taste good. Adjusting to culture does take time, because adjusting to a new place does
take time. However, once again I want to say, even though we have adjusted the culture
of the foreign country where we live, we still have to maintain and preserve the culture of
our home country and not to be carried away by bad foreign culture.

2. Does cultural adjustment vary among individuals?

Answer:
Yes, I think cultural adjustments different between individuals. Because every individual
has their respective roles, there are several factors that cause this to happen. For example,
some people are flexible, some are not, some come from almost the same culture, some
have very different cultures, some have mastered a foreign language, some can only
speak their own country, etc. Things like that make cultural adjustments different
between individuals.
 Scanning : For Specific Information
To find specific information in the reading, look for clues such as certain words and
numbers. Scan the reading to find the answers to the following:
1. Where is the list of questions to consider when thinking about variations in people’s
cultural adjustment?
The paper on page 21 outlines the questions that a person who will adapt to a new culture
should consider.

2. Adjustment to life in another country is a complicated process. The authors suggest that it
can be a “shock” (a surprising, confusing experience). What type of shock is it? Where
do the authors first introduce this concept?
Answer:
The kind of shock that leaves newcomers feeling confused, but this is normal when
people don't speak the language or understand the details of everyday behavior. When
adults try to get used to other cultures, it may feel like a child. stress, general, and stress
are symptoms of culture shock.
The author first introduced this concept on page 23 of the paper.

 Reading Text
Discussion
1. Do you know people who experienced “re-entry shock” when they returned to their own
country? Describe their experience.
Answer:
I have a friend who has experienced re-entry shock, which he experienced after he
finished his study in a European country. After he returned to Indonesia, he always
compared all the behavior patterns of the people in the country where he studied with the
people in Indonesia. He was often annoyed, especially when it came to disorder or
indiscipline, but now he can accept the differences and can better understand them.

2. In what ways is the re-entry adjustment cycle similar to the process of cultural adjustment
in a new culture? In what ways is it different? Refer to the reading, if necessary.
Answer:
In my opinion, it is true that the re-entry cycle is similar to the process of cultural
adjustment in a new culture. Because when a person returns to his home country after
living for a long time in a new country, he will readjust to the culture of his home
country, just as he used to adjust the culture when he came to a new country.

3. A refugee usually has no opportunity for “re-entry shock,” as most cannot return to their
countries of origin. Discuss how this restriction may affect their cultural adjustment in
comparison to the adjustment of international students, business people, and tourists.
Answer:
 A refugee is mostly unable to return to his home country, while international students,
business people and tourists can of course return to their home country. This can affect
their cultural adjustment, because a businessman, international student, and tourist will of
course only be in a new country for a short while so they adjust their culture only
temporarily because they will return to their home country again. However, for a refugee
who is unable to return to his home country, of course he does not get the opportunity to
have a “re-entry shock”, but I think they will experience another shock where they will
definitely feel homesick for their home country, and in the new country they want. don't
want them to have to adapt to the new culture either.

 Ethnocentrism and Adjustment Ethnocentrism:

...How do you think the other person will respond or feel?
Answer:
In my opinion, it is an attitude of disrespect between cultures and thinks their culture is better
than others. In my opinion, the response or other people's feelings about this will certainly
feel angry because they think their culture is slandered, but back to the person each has
different responses and feelings.

1. Read the following statements made by people from Levadel, a fictitious country, and
underline the words that convey ethnocentric attitudes. Then, compare your answers
with those of the rest of the class.
a. Levadelians have been very generous in teaching other people how to do things the
right way.
b. Non-Levadelians do many things backwards.
c. Since the only true God is the one in the Levadel culture, all other people’s Gods
and religions are false.
d. Levadel has produced the best technology in the world; therefore, it is a superior
country.
e. Levadel is the best language for poetry.
f. In Levadel, people don’t talk in circles.
g. Minorities and foreigners in Levadel have to change their ways so they become like
the majority of Levadelians.
h. When world leaders learn to do things the way Levadelians do, the world will be a
better place.

2. In groups of three, choose two or three of the above statements and revise the wording so
that the sentences are no longer ethnocentric. All group members must agree on the
wording. Share your revised sentences with the rest of the class.
Answer:
- Levadel has produced the best technology in the world; therefore, it is a superior
country.
 Revised wording
Levadel has some excellent technicians who have produced renowned technology.
- When world leaders learn to do things the way Levadelians do, the world will be a
better place.
Revised wording
Levadelian leaders have a good way of leading