Culture Shock at the University of Southern Mississippi

Bachelor Thesis , 2009 , 20 Pages , Grade: A (1)

Pedagogy - Theory of Science, Anthropology

All students studying in a foreign country will face culture shock at some point during their stay. The students at the University of Southern Mississippi are no exception. A survey demonstrated that a language barrier and a poor public transportation system are among the main causes of culture shock among the international students at USM.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• International Students Contributions to U.S. Universities and the U.S. Economy
• Culture Shock
  • The Timing of Culture Shock

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the phenomenon of culture shock among international students at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). It aims to identify the causes of culture shock and explore potential solutions to facilitate the cultural adjustment process for international students. The paper analyzes various aspects of culture, including visible and invisible elements, and their impact on international students' experiences.

• The impact of culture shock on international students
• The role of cultural differences in causing culture shock
• The importance of cultural adjustment for international students
• The contribution of international students to universities and the economy
• The U-curve theory as a framework for understanding cultural adjustment

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of culture shock among international students at USM, defining key terms like "international students" and "cultural adjustment." It highlights the importance of understanding culture shock and its impact on students' well-being and academic success.
• International Students Contributions to U.S. Universities and the U.S. Economy: This chapter explores the significant contributions of international students to both the academic and economic landscape of US universities. It discusses the growing number of international students in the US, their impact on patent grants, and their financial contributions.
• Culture Shock: This chapter delves into the concept of culture shock, defining it as a psychological response to living in a culturally different environment. It examines various aspects of culture, including Hofstede's four dimensions of culture (power distance, collectivism/individualism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/femininity), and their influence on cultural differences. The chapter also discusses the challenges of intercultural communication and its role in contributing to culture shock.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of this paper are: culture shock, cultural adjustment, international students, intercultural communication, cultural differences, Hofstede's dimensions of culture, U-curve theory, sojourners, and the contributions of international students to universities and the economy.

• College: The University of Southern Mississippi
• Grade: A (1)
• Author: Anonym (Author)
• Publication Year: 2009
• Pages: 20
• Catalog Number: V131623
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640377022
• ISBN (Book): 9783640377152
• Language: English
• Tags: Culture, Shock, University, Southern, Mississippi