In the blog last week , we focused on the initial steps of recovery from culture clash, the motivation to re-evaluate the context, and then making a commitment to adapt perceptions, value judgements, and behaviour. This week we will move on to defining what is meant by the recovery phase including an exploration of some simple practical techniques that can aid this process. What is meant by the recovery phase? While the concepts together with the relative positioning of the

In the blog last week , we examined the meaning, causes, and some of the consequences of culture shock. This week, we will move further into the U-Curve adaptation process by exploring the recovery phase. However, as this stage is typically determined by some personal commitment to readjust behaviour in the host context, we must initially examine the concept of culture clash that is the most frequent trigger of the need for significant change. The meaning, causes, and conseq

In the blog last week , we explored some of the negative consequences arising from the initial honeymoon experience when entering an unfamiliar cultural context. We focused specifically on the potentially debilitating encounter with the progression from overstimulation to sensory overload. This week, we will examine the concept, causes, and some of the consequences of culture shock. Finally, we shall briefly review an alternative model of cultural adaptation known as the J-Cu

In the blog last week , we not only extended our understanding of the cultural values of the English-speaking nations (ESNs), but we also compared these with what is called the Confucian cluster by exploring the Schwartz cultural map and Hofstede’s dimensions. The four Hofstede dimensions were selected as they have most relevance to living overseas. This week, we will repeat the process but now focus on the Muslim cluster of nations as defined by Hofstede and Inglehart on his

In the blog last week , we began our focus on the importance of researching both the domestic and proposed new host culture when planning to live for an extended period overseas. We commenced this project by exploring what are commonly referred to as the English-speaking nations (ESNs) as an example domestic or home context. This week, while continuing to deepen our understanding of the ESNs cultural orientations, we will also explore the contrasting characteristics of the Co

Last week , we began a new series on preparing to live successfully overseas for extended periods of time due to either work opportunities or study purposes. This week we will start by focusing on an important early planning issue of researching both the domestic and the proposed new host cultural context. To illustrate this process, the contrast between what are called the English-speaking, Confucian, and Muslim clusters of nations have been selected for more detailed invest

In the blog last week , we focused on the Lewis model that illustrates three contrasting cross-cultural communication styles. This week, we shall evaluate the Hall Iceberg depiction of culture that acts as both the conclusion to our current series and an introduction to our new topic of ‘Managing Life Overseas’. More specifically, we shall be referring to the Hall model again in the new series especially when exploring the importance of critically evaluating our own domestic

In the blog last week , we focused on the Hofstede argument that attempts to differentiate societies based of distinctive value dimensions. This week, we will explore the model developed by Lewis on the critical practical issue of understanding contrasting cross-cultural communication styles. Introduction to the Lewis model Lewis, an expert on both culture and languages, based his model on extensive cross-cultural research focusing specifically on factors such as behavioural

In the blog last week , we focused on an analysis of the social origins of cultural values. This week we will move on to explore a foundational model of culture that introduces the argument that societies can be differentiated by distinctive value dimensions that are applicable to a variety of practical context. Moreover, the premise of this approach is that an understanding of the combination of such values can enable improved cross-cultural communication while reducing fact

In the blog last week , we commenced our new series by defining the meaning of both culture and cultural norms. This week we will begin by exploring the fascinating question of the social origins of these behavioural and cognitive characteristics. We will then conclude by gaining an overview of the positioning of some example nations in relation to their contrasting value orientations as illustrated on the Schwartz map. The social origins of cultural values Cultural values re

In the blog last week , we concluded the series on the influence and interpretation of non-verbal emotional signalling during interpersonal communication. This week we begin a new series exploring a range of models that provide contrasting interpretations of cross-cultural value orientations. The primarily focus will be on how complex patterns of values are interwoven to shape unique daily behavioural expectations that ultimately define and distinguish contrasting cultural co