Task 2 Read about culture shock………..

1. How would you know that you are suffering from culture shock?
I’d feel anxious over the loss of familiar signs and symbols, I’d have problems regarding my usual
behavior (shaking hands, giving tips, how to purchase something, when to accept/decline
invitations, or when to take statements seriously and when not

2. What is meant in the introduction by 'difficult countries'?

It refers to countries that are having completely different cultures from their own (Ex. Romania and
India = the whole culture of these two countries is different starting from religion and ending with
usual human behavior.
3. Why were the situations in section 2 stressful for the people who experienced them?
Because they were confused about roles, expectations and feelings.
4. What is meant by 'return culture shock' in section 4?
It refers to the process of adaptation of the previous culture, the one which was sometime in the
past familiar, but now it seems wrong and unfamiliar, because the subject is not anymore adapted
to his own culture.
5. What can you do for yourself to lessen the effects of culture shock?
- keep in touch with trusted individuals at home, to discuss your fears openly, to avoid abuse of
drugs and alcohol and to take time to prepare yourself and your family for the experience of living
and working in an unfamiliar environment.

6. Who can help you minimize the effects of culture shock and how?
Co-workers and family members play an important role in helping someone suffering from culture
shock.
 Task 6.Work in groups and prepare a list of the most important cultural features of your
country that a foreigner will have to adapt to in order not to have culture shock. Write at
least 5 different points:

1. Language (even a foreigner doesn’t know Romanian, he should know that Romanians
usually speak English (sometimes German or French)
2. Time (a foreigner should adjust his own expectations as to the time it takes for certain things
to happen – in most cases, these will go beyond the timeframe he had in mind. He must be
prepared for the idea of delays, and get ready to push for deadlines. Never assume things will
happen on time, and enjoy it when they do.
3. Family - Romanians put a big price on family, love their relatives, love to talk about them. So
make it a habit to ask about family members when doing small talk, and be ready to hear
details.
4. Infrastructure - amazing places will await for the foreigner at the end of bad roads.
5. Small talk topics & interests - Romanians love to talk about politics and football, and many
believe are good at both – which is, of course, arguable. It is good to know about these topics of
interest, but it might be wise not to get into a heated talk about these two with a Romanian.

Task 7.Discussion questions:

1. Why do people leave their own country? What are they looking for? What are they
escaping from?
- people leave their own country because they want something new or for earning more money
and live a better life. They are searching for the sense of freedom, because they feel trapped in
their own country. They’re trying to escape from the mistakes they made, so they’re basically
trying to start a new life somewhere far away from “home”.
2. Would you personally like to move, live or study/work abroad? Why or why not?
Personally I’d rather live in my country and just visit other countries, because I feel adapted
here and I don’t want to change my whole style of life by going somewhere abroad.
3. Would you ever consider living permanently in a country other than your home country?
Why or why not?
Living permanently in a country other that Romania occurred in my mind at some given time,
but now giving my military career, I’d rather stay here and take my chances in Romania.
4. What do you think is important when visiting another culture?
It’s important to have basic knowledge about the new culture that I’m about to visit, IOT make
the experience a good one.
5. What is the longest time you have lived outside of your country (city/town)?Talk about
this experience.
I’ve lived outside my natal town for almost 4 years. I think being far away from home changed
my perception about people and how things work in general, because back home in a small city
called Feldru I didn’t have many opportunities like the ones which cities like Buchares, Buzau
and Sibiu offered me, such as:crowded places, meeting new people, concerts, huge parks full
of people and so on.
6. Do you think you are open to different ideas and different cultures? Explain it.
I’m open to different ideas, but having a language barrier makes things a bit complicated,
although I’m trying to remove this barrier. I often dream about interacting with people from
around the world and I was always fond of new cultures and I’m optimistic that someday I’ll
have the chance of experiencing new cultures.
7. Would you like to live in another country if you spoke the language? What if you didn't
speak the language?
For example if I’d know Portuguese I’d love spending my last years enjoying the Copacabana’s
sand and swimming in the everlasting Atlantic Ocean.
8. Who would you go to for support if you were studying/working abroad and had a
problem?
If I’d work/study abroad I’d call my family and ask for guidance, because they were always by
my side when I was in trouble.
9. What do you think is the best way to keep in touch with friends and family when you're
away from home? Why?
Connecting with the ones I love would make me feel better and my mind would remain cooler
and more focused on what I’d have to do.
10. What do you think are the best ways to find and make new friends when abroad?
Having a hobby helps a lot, because sharing the same passion on one subject brings people
closer.