The Stages of Cultural Shock

Culture shock is a common phenomenon that people who travel abroad often experiences. It may take a while to develop, but once it hits the pattern is usually quite similar. Culture shock generally moves through these four stages: honeymoon, frustration, adjustment and acceptance. In many cases the culture shock has more stages, but I'm just going to write about the most commonly experienced ones. Of course individuals experience these phases differently, but all cases have something in common. 

The following graph presents the stages you most likely will go trough when you go on a longer trip to a foreign country.

Stage 1: Honeymoon period
The honeymoon period comes first, and this is when everything is new and exciting. At this phase the traveler is very positive to everything. The everyday life is impacted with new people, foods and a lot of exploring.

Stage 2: Culture shock/frustration
Frustration may be the hardest phase to deal with in cultural shock. At this stage you can experience different small things that may trigger frustration. These things can be such as missing the bus, misleading signs, loosing your keys and so on. Anyone that travels frequently is familiar to this situation. At the frustration phase, the homesickness also tends to pitch in, which doesen´t lighten the mood. Sometimes the language barrier may be an issue. In some cases you aren´t able to order at a restaurant because you don´t speak the language. 

Stage 3: Adjustment
When the traveler begins to become more familiar with the surroundings and culture, they may start to adjust. This is when navigation is easier and you also have made friends to lean on. This gives more comfort and sustains a good life. You develop routines which gives a safe feeling. 

Stage 4: Acceptance
After struggling with all of the above phases, you have finally entered the last stage. At the acceptance stage the traveler feels more at ease with their resources and environments. It's also the realization that complete understanding of the new culture isn't necessary.

On the end I would like to add a personal note. I have never been to another country for longer than two weeks, so I have only experienced the honeymoon phase where everything is thrilling and new. I have many friends that are currently studying in the U.S. and they are telling me that they are already at the "culture shock" phase. 

Sources: image , information

Gender Equality & Womans Rights

How did we work?

Our first topic in international English was globalization. At first we got an oral assignment consisted of choosing a global world issue and have a brief presentation in class. First the class had a quick brainstorm on the blackboard, and then we chose our topics. My group and I quickly landed on the topic gender equality because it´s an interesting, up-to-date and long-term world issue. The first thing we did within the group was to divide the work and create a frame for our talk. After everyone had gathered a good amount of facts we presented the information to the rest of the group. Some of the differences between the genders was rather shocking. Later on, we puzzled the information into a presentation. To make a memorable presentation, we created a quiz on Kahoot.it about what we presented and played it with the audience. We added several relevant questions until we were satisfied with the result.

If you wish to play our Kahoot, here's the link: KAHOOT

What is gender equality?

The term gender equality stands for the process of being fair to men and women. It requires equal enjoyment by women and men of socially valued goods, opportunities and rewards. There are many different perspectives on how much a female is worth around the world. Several nations unfortunately claim that the women are worth less than the man. Women are expected to earn 17.6 per cent on an average less than men. In some professions were men and women have the same position, the man often makes more money.

 
Women got the right to vote:

-1893, New Zealand

-1894, Australia

-1928, Britain

-1920 the U.S.

-1918, Canada

Women's rights in 2016

Gender equality and women's rights have gotten a lot better over the years, but still has a long way to go. While fighting to earn equal pay, women are also under the constant pressure to look and act a certain way. Body shaming is a way too common term in 2016 and most women get harassed for their appearance every day. Fashion is also tricky now a days. Where women wearing a bikini can be persecuted for wearing too little and a woman wearing a burkini is wearing too much. What can be done? The answer is in our hands. I believe that everyone should work for a completely equal society.

A couple of days ago I found a picture on this web page. The reason it caught my attention is because the woman on the left is wearing a burkini by choice, while the woman on the right have to wear a bikini. Which way do we want to view women? Is it better that a female covers up by choice (and/or religion) or is it better that the woman as to wear a bikini and show of her body? Quoting the article connected to the image below: "I don't know wether I'm to be more offended by volleyball players covered in a burkini or exposed in bikini." That quote truly shows that no matter what you wear you will be judged. What's your opinion on this case?

-Eivor

Image sources: here and here
article about the picture here