Abstract
During the last three chapters we have explored the intercultural competencies needed for effective and appropriate intercultural interaction, focusing particularly on the process of interaction. In this chapter we turn to the individual and consider the impact that intercultural interaction can have on the psychological welfare and growth of those who experience such interaction, especially in unfamiliar cultural settings. In Chapters 10 and 11, we examine ways of researching this adaptation process and the extent to which people feel they have adapted well.
If you’re not willing to be changed by a place, there’s no point going.
Mifflin 1996
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Suggestions for further reading
Ward, C., Bochner, S. and Furnham, A. (2001) The Psychology of Culture Shock, 2nd edn. Hove: Routledge. This book provides a clear and detailed discussion of issues associated with crossing cultures. It contains numerous references to interesting studies.
Kim, Y. Y. (2001) Becoming Intercultural. London: Sage. This book presents an integrative theory of cross-cultural adaptation that places particular importance on communication. A summary of the theory is available.
Kim, Y. Y. (2005) Adapting to a new culture: An integrative communication theory. In W. B. Gudykunst (ed.) Theorizing about Intercultural Communication, pp. 375–400. London: Sage.
Hoffman, E. (1989) Lost in Translation. London: Vintage. This autobiography movingly describes the experiences that the author went through when she was exiled from Poland as a child and needed to build a new life in America.
Alagiah, G. (2006) A Home from Home: From Immigrant Boy to English Man. London: Little, Brown. This autobiography not only describes the author’s experiences of adjusting to life in Britain but also reports and discusses people’s experiences of multiculturalism.
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© 2009 Helen Spencer-Oatey and Peter Franklin
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Spencer-Oatey, H., Franklin, P. (2009). Adapting to Unfamiliar Cultures. In: Intercultural Interaction. Research and Practice in Applied Linguistics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230244511_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230244511_7
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4039-8631-3
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-24451-1
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