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Entering a new culture SK 2004: from Mr. D interview: Entering a new culture is always stressful, whether from the initial excitement, the bulk of work and time spent to get to the field, the expectations not met when arriving on the field, to learning to work with other missionaries. Especially those who have been there a while. Sometimes they feel threatened by your excitement and new or updated ideas on how to spread the gospel. I've been told that it often takes a strong willed person to be a missionary- others get discouraged in the long road to training etc, -- so many strong willed people trying to work together can rub each other a lot. Then there is the 'let down' = the excitement wears off and months 3-9 usually are a let down, you are no longer new, feel you should know more but don't, and this can bring discouragement-- just need to know and recognize that this is part of the cycle of entry and that things will get better once you learn more of the language/culture. From SK 2004: from Mr.
M: From SK 2004: from Todd Roeske videotape -They need to be trained to our ways-needed to teach them how to use electricity, how to turn on or off water, refrigerators stoves, how to prepare American food - Missed worshiping with other English speaking Christians so that became a challenge From SK, 2004. Interview about a Papua New Guinea Experience Selling a house not easy-a week before they found a renter lawyer will take care of all financial needs; get a member of your church cars to take care of only allowed a certain amount of pounds to bring TOOK THE CALL AND THEN GOT RID OF THE STUFF Psychological and Spiritual especially with kids and spouse Some specifics are required and you have to fit the description of what is needed for that country LCMS does above ground ministry-nothing is illegal
Interview about a Taiwan Experience They were allowed to take 12 barrels as free baggage; the Mission provided housing and furniture
Professor F Experience
Ideas from MM, 2003 Changing over money at the airport is more expensive, but it is easier Meeting new people can be difficult in reserved cultures Each culture is different The US is not like other countries People of other countries will likely have stereotypes about Americans before meeting us People may assume that we know every American that they have ever met We will likely have certain ideas of what the people are going to be like People of different classes, or even ages are treated much differently in other countries Things that we may consider cruel, or not cruel may be seen differently in another culture Homesickness will likely be a problem The people will be different from the types that we have grown accustomed to When you go into a new culture you experience losses and gains Losses
Gains
When you enter a new culture expect there to be culture stress. There are things that you can do to help decrease this culture stress though
The culture you are going into will likely be male dominated Almost everything if not everything will likely be different in another culture Most cultures are very people oriented/out going not introverted when it comes to their neighbors and the other people they will be associating with. When you enter a new culture the things that you bring with you, or decide upon arrival that you need to have may be your best tools for meeting people. When you enter most countries remember to slow down, America is a very fast paced culture, most other cultures are not. Developed areas in a lot of cultures are extremely developed while the smaller less developed areas are extremely under developed In cultures like Taiwan it is the culture to go to the market every couple of days, and you have to know how to shop in these cultures. Try to find things to reduce your homesickness when you enter a new culture. These things can be as simple as ingredients for making foods, pictures, wall décor, or other material objects. Before you enter a new culture and upon arrival to a new culture, read up on the area and its customs. Also visit the culturally significant areas if you are permitted. Create a routine before you enter the new culture. This is especially significant in referring to worship. When you enter the new culture pay close attention the native helper that will be helping you. At first you will be out of place, so you will have to trust in other people to make many decisions for you. When you enter a new culture try to get as many of the trivial, or little things done ahead of time, or as soon as possible upon arrival so that you can place your primary focus on the more important issues. When you enter a new culture allow yourself to be weak and dependent of others. Before you enter a new culture and while you’re there think about how you will form a relationship with someone. Will you accomplish this through
From SK 2004: from KB videotape - You need to think about what is really important to you -Take the things you don’t think you can live with out. -You need to be prepared because your home will be quite different -You may get furniture or you may have to bring your own. -Be prepared to adjust to the food -Be prepared to not eat anything raw without soaking it in bleach Before you enter your host country, make decisions
about your health care. The
area where you will be living may not be close to an adequate medical
facility. Think about
bringing some medical books, and other possibly needed medical/health care
supplies. Your home will be different than you will expect.
A good example of this is the different definitions that you and
your organization will have regarding the phrase “basic provisions”.
So don’t be afraid to ask for something that you need. The home that you will be given will likely be better than that areas residents. The people that you will be interacting will likely have a different diet. This is something to be aware of, especially if visitors will come around dinner time. No two countries have identical foods. You may find out that you just can’t get a hold of many of the ingredients that you are used to. Even though you may never be able to eat the kinds of dishes that you are used to, doesn’t mean that you will necessarily get used to that areas foods. A new culture often means a new idea of appropriate and inappropriate clothing. If the culture you are going to enter does not allow its women to ware pants or show legs, than it will only serve to hinder your work (and possibly threaten your safety) to not alter your form of dress. Some cultures will expect you to hire help such as
housekeepers. If you do not
do this, because you are seen to have a lot of money the people around you
may likely form a bad opinion of you.
The important point to remember in that situation is to pay your
staff the going rate, not what think is a fair rate.
Paying someone too much money will also be likely to cause problems
for you as well as for your employees. From the book Culture Shock: Entering a new culture is an extremely stressful
situation. This high stress
can significantly lower your level of performance.
This lower level of performance will not only hinder anything that
you are trying to accomplish but because of the hindrance you will likely
feel feelings of guilt and loss of self-esteem. People in a a particular culture (including us) may have never been exposed to any other culture besides the one that they are in, then they will likely believe that the only correct way to do things is the way that they have always done them. The tourist does not normally experience a great deal
of culture stress. Sp even if
you have been to where you will be going, don’t expect things to be as
easy as they were before. “what is being threatened most by entering an alien culture is one’s self-esteem.”
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