Initial Perceptions

Below are some of the factors you will need to consider when entering a new culture. Many things which we take for granted in our own culture may be vastly different in another. If you come in with an open mind, you should be just fine.

  • Climate
  • Architecture
  • Traffic
  • Social Structure
  • Cuisine
  • Pollution

Humans as Social Beings

  • Family
    • Composition of the family
    • Hierarchy of authority in the family
    • Attitude toward single-parent families
  • Social Behavior
    • Proper behavior according to sex, age
    • Attitude of students toward teachers and other school personnel
    • Requirements for Physical Well-Being
  • Food
    • Typical food for daily consumption; for special occasions
    • Time for various meals
    • Taboos associated with food
    • Appropriate table behavior or etiquette (verbal and non-verbal)
  • Health, Hygiene, and Safety
    • Differences in beliefs and practices
    • Role of folk medicine and folk healers
    • Role of physicians and related medical personnel
    • Perceptions of host country vs. NA medical services
    • Perceptions of the World
  • Spatial and Temporal Orientation
    • Treatment of space at various functions
    • Presence or absence of body contact (e.g. handshaking, hugging, strolling arm-in-arm, etc.); with members of the opposite sex, or same sex, of different ages
    • Concept of punctuality
    • Importance of efficiency (e.g. schedules, timetables, etc.)
    • Treatment of time (e.g. as a commodity, as secondary to treatment of people, etc.)
  • Personal Appearance
    • Importance of dress for everyday wear; for special occasions
    • Concept of grooming
  • Verbal and Non-Verbal Expression
    • Role of bilingualism
    • Meaning of various gestures (hands, facial, etc.)
    • Appropriate ways to begin, conduct and end a conversation, discussion, business transaction
    • Expression of compliments, excuses, insults

Recommended Readings:
Bennett, M. J. (2004). From ethnocentrism to ethnorelativism. In J. S. Wurzel (Ed.), Toward multiculturalism:
A reader in multicultural education (pp. 62-78). Newton, MA: Intercultural Resource Corporation.
Paige, R.M. (Ed.). (1993). Education for the intercultural experience. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, Inc.