The importance of Cultural Awareness
Living and working in a new country and culture can be full of adventure, possibility and excitement. But it’s not always as romantic or easy as it sounds. Just consider these cultural norms in countries around the world. Based on your customs, would you make any mistakes in these situations without any knowledge beforehand?
In Jordan, a man typically initiates a handshake with a woman, not the other way around.
In Uganda, it is rude to sniff your food, even if you find the aroma appetizing.
In Argentina, business meetings typically begin 30-60 minutes after the scheduled time, so arriving “on-time” is actually arriving early.
In Thailand, it is considered rude to touch another person’s head (even a child’s) because the head is considered sacred.
It is easy to make mistakes when adjusting to life in a new place. Locals may be understanding, but it is important to make every effort to respect the cultural norms of your host country with the ultimate goal of “fitting in” in your new home.
Sources of Information
The single most important thing is to do some research on the country, culture and community you will be living in for the next several years. You will feel more confident when you arrive, which allows you to focus your attention on why you are moving in the first place – basketball.
Consider the following sources:
Online research: While you should not trust everything that appears online, it can already provide you with some interesting facts about the country, its history, and culture. Start with a quick Wikipedia search. Be curious and try to dig even further.
Talk to people who know the local and national customs: Speaking with people who have experienced your new country first-hand can provide you with invaluable insight. These could be players from that country, or international players having already played there.
Ask your national federation for advice: Your national federation might have information ready for players leaving their country. Furthermore, your national federation might have contacts in the foreign country that could give you priceless advice and help upon arrival.
Contact your Embassy and you Ministry of Foreign Affairs: These bodies usually have important information in your own language. Besides, it is always important to register yourself in your Embassy upon arrival to the foreign country. You never know what could go wrong.
Use other tools to understand your cultural differences: Nowadays, there are many studies that analyse the differences among cultures. The most academically accepted is Hofstede’s and his 6 dimensions of national culture. You can use the free online tool to compare the culture from different countries.
This tool is a very interesting first step to understand the national culture of a given country. However, keep in mind that this does not imply that everyone in a given society is programmed in the same way. Indeed, there are considerable differences between individuals.
Preparing for living in a new country
When doing your research and asking others for advice, consider looking into the following areas:
Language If you are moving to a country that does not speak your native language, it could be very helpful to take some language courses before you arrive or shortly after arriving to help you feel more comfortable and confident in your new home. Consider the following sentences as a starting point:
Hi / Please / Thank you
My name is __________
I am from __________
Where is the __________ ?
I’m lost
Can you speak slower please?
I do not speak __________
In addition to the local language, it may be useful to develop your English skills, as many international sports organizations (like FIBA) operate in English due to the global nature of the sport. Furthermore, you will probably not be the only international player in your team.
Living accommodations: Being prepared and having your living situation in place before you arrive can make a huge difference in how quickly you adjust. Find out about the different areas in the city or village you will live in – which area best suits your lifestyle? Also, make sure to check the reputation of certain parts of the city and avoid neighborhoods that are known for their unsafety or for their noise.
Transportation: Do some research about how people get around in your new town. Will you need a car or is there adequate public transportation available? How much will you need to spend each month on getting around?
Climate: Find out what the climate is like at different times of the year. This is also relevant for dress.
Immunizations: Depending on the country and region of the world you are moving to, or even visiting, you may need immunizations before you enter the country. This information is typically available online through your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Embassy.
Social norms: Knowing how you are expected to interact with others and present yourself can make your adjustment much easier. Learn about what behaviors are (and are not) acceptable, and which behaviours may be different from those you are used to at home. Look into accepted behaviours regarding gender roles, meeting new people, alcohol consumption, religious observances, eating manners, clothing, and even physical gestures.
Laws and punishment: Some rules might just get you a fine in your home-country; however, they might entail prison (or death penalty) in some others. Make sure that you are aware of differences in laws and punishment and respect your host country.
Learn and understand the historical context: Learn the most relevant historical events happening in your host country. Also, make sure to investigate about the role that your home country has played in the history of your host country. This might help you understand their culture or their behavior towards you.
Emergency contacts: Make sure you know who to contact in case of emergency. This can include the police, firefighters, hospitals, taxi service, or even your embassy. Program those numbers into your phone before arriving.
Culture Shock
Culture shock is the sense of trauma, anxiety, confusion, or disorientation that many individuals experience when they enter cultural surroundings different from their own. Culture shock can arise from an individual's unfamiliarity with local customs, language, acceptable behavior, communication barriers (e.g. language), dietary differences, different standards for cleanliness, personal space, gender roles and other social practices that may be different (or at odds) with one’s own cultural experience.
Culture shock can prevent you from adjusting to a new place and as a result affect your sporting performance. Minimising the culture shock is therefore important.
Symptoms of culture shock
Unjustified criticism of people and cultural practices
Heightened irritability, changes in your temperament, or getting angry easily at things that usually wouldn’t bother you
A feeling of sadness or loneliness
Constant complaints about local climate, food, cleanliness, etc.
Making excuses for staying indoors
Refusal to learn local language, eat local cuisine or interact with local residents
Excessive desire to only speak with others who speak your native language
Excessively positive or superior views of your own culture
Excessive worry about being robbed, cheated, or getting sick
Excessive focus on returning home
These feelings are normal, and sometimes, just knowing that, can help ease your mind and help you move forward. The more you experience your new cultural surroundings and understand local customs, the more quickly anxiety will subside.
Phases of culture shock
Those experiencing culture shock go through distinct phases that can be ongoing, or only appear at certain times.
Stage 1– The honeymoon stage
At the beginning, all the new things encountered might be interesting, wonderful, or even exciting. This feeling will slowly decrease and change to the next phase.
Stage 2 – The disillusionment stage
The negative effects of culture shock come into play. You will start encountering difficulties or differences in your daily routine. You will feel discontent, impatient, angry, or sad. As an effect, you will, most probably, compare where you are living to your home country in an unfavourable way. Culture shock will happen gradually. Understand that it will take you some time to understand your new culture and to adapt to it.
Stage 3– The understanding stage/Enlightenment
You will start understanding your host country’s culture and why people act like they do. You will get more familiar with your environment, making you feel less lost. Finally, you will get the feeling of wanting to belong, finding ways to slowly overcome the differences.
Stage 4– The integration stage
You will understand the goods and bads of your host country. Besides, you will finally overcome the differences and start to have a feeling of belonging. This stage will be only experienced if you are staying for a very long period of time.
Stage 5 – The reverse culture shock The longer you live and work abroad, the more accustomed you will become to your way of life in your new country. So, when the day comes that you move back to your home country, you may be surprised to experience what experts call “reverse culture shock.” It has 4 phases:
Phase 1
Disengagement
This stage starts before you leave for home. You may experience a range of emotions – sadness to leave friends and teammates, excitement to see family again and uncertainty about what is in your future.
Phase 2
Initial euphoria
You will be excited to see family and friends and share your experience with them. This stage occurs shortly before leaving for home and it often ends when you realise that most people are not as interested in your experiences abroad as you had hoped.
Stage 3
Irritability/hostility. As you sense that people may not be as interested as you had hoped you will start feeling:
Boredom and restlessness
Frustration and misunderstanding
Loneliness and homesickness for where you were
Changes in personal relationships and in how you relate to your native culture
Stage 4
Readjustment/adaptation
Preventing or minimising culture shock
While time is the best antidote for culture shock, people can take proactive steps to prevent or alleviate it:
Anticipate it ahead of time
Understand that going to a new place (or returning to your home country) will not be as easy as it sounds and prepare mentally for a period of adjustment.
Try to learn about the new country/culture
Understand the reasons for cultural differences.
Be aware of the symptoms
Once you realize that you are experiencing culture shock, you can then take steps to deal with it.
Remember that it’s normal to feel this way
Stay proactive and don’t focus too much on the negative aspects of transitioning.
Ask for help
Be honest, in a judicious way, about feeling disoriented and confused. Ask your teammates or national federation for helpful resources. People want to help you adjust because the faster you feel at home, the more focused you can be on playing basketball.
Keep in touch with home, but don’t be dependent on home
Remember to reserve time for settling into your new surroundings and meet new people.
Make room for familiar practices
Doing the things you usually do will make life feel more “normal” in your new location.
Make friends with other expats
Many of your teammates, coaches and trainers may be expats as well, so they have probably experienced many of the same challenges (and adventures) that you will. Get to know them and share your thoughts, frustrations, and observations.
Make friends with local residents and join local groups
Don't seal yourself off—try to meet and socialize with the locals. You may find that local residents offer many opportunities to engage with the culture directly. Making friends with locals will help you feel like you are part of the culture.
Don't indulge in thoughts of home
Stop constantly comparing it (favourably) to your host country and accept the differences.