Fall 2017 PSY 4900 Capstone Vera Abreu Carmela Asinas Lola Merino Faculty: Laurie B. Mazzuca, Ph.D.
What is Acculturation? Think back to the very first time you traveled to a different country. Did you immerse yourself in the culture? Were you comfortable communicating with the people? Or did you find it difficult adjusting to a foreign environment? The adaptation process people go through when living in a new culture is referred to as acculturation, in which there are four types of strategies: integration, assimilation, separation, and marginalization. Integration is when individuals are able to adapt to the host culture while still preserving their origin culture. Assimilation is when individuals fully submerge themselves into the host culture by rejecting their origin culture. Separation is when individuals reject the host culture in order to preserve their origin culture. Marginalization is when individuals identify with neither the host culture nor the origin culture (Berry, 1997). Although the integration strategy is the most ideal, the acculturation process is relative to the unique experiences of an individual. In other words, people acculturate differently. So, which acculturation strategies have you been using and have they helped you better adjust? Sources Akhtar, M., & Kroener-Herwig, B. (2017). Coping Styles and Socio-demo graphic Variables as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being among International Students Belonging to Different Cultures. Current Psychology, 1-9. Berry, J. W. (1997). Lead Article - Immigration, Acculturation, and Adapta tion. Applied Psychology, 46(1), 5-34. doi:10.1080/026999497378467 Han, S., Pistole, M. C., & Caldwell, J. M. (2017). Acculturative Stress, Parental and Professor Attachment, and College Adjustment in Asian International Students. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 45(2), 111-126. Pedersen, E. R., Neighbors, C., Larimer, M. E., & Lee, C. M. (2011). Measuring sojourner adjustment among American students studying abroad. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35(6), 881-889. Acculturation and International Students Adapting to life in a new place can be difficult; it's important to understand how the acculturation process can have an effect on college students who are studying at an international campus. International students, such as our students here at SLU Madrid, are likely to face a variety of changes when studying in a foreign country. This includes: environmental, cultural, social, and psychological changes that occur on a daily basis. These changes can create a lot of stress for international students.
Think About YOUR Experience Take some time to reflect on your own acculturation process and experiences while at SLU Madrid. Acculturative Stress and Common Stressors Acculturative stress is the psychological impact of adaptation to a new culture. It s a very normal part of the adaptation process. Acculturative stress can actually help you better understand a new culture and adapt correctly to a new environment. It can also allow you to know yourself better and experience personal growth. Some of the most common stressors among students studying abroad are related to everyday activities, such as: Getting a metro card Opening a bank account Getting a Spanish phone Change currency Factors of Healthy Acculturation According to scientific research, there are a number of factors that can help you acculturate in a positive way. These factors can help you cope with negative feelings associated with acculturation, such as: Stress Anxiety Loneliness Homesickness In fact, learning to cope with these feelings could ultimately lead to a worthwhile and more satisfying international experience.
Some factors that are associated with a healthy acculturation style are: Make New Friends, But Keep the Old! While living abroad, it s common for students to miss their parents, friends, and life back in their home country. However, studies have shown that there are helpful ways to adjust to these temporary losses. Students can develop new relationships with people in their host country to help with difficulties, such as: Understanding an unfamiliar academic system Language barriers Our old bonds can be a great source of support during stressful times and help us reevaluate our own self-worth and cultural values. But new bonds can help us better understand our new environment, which can help moderate acculturative stress and lead to healthier acculturation. Acculturation Bucketlist Now that the semester is coming to an end, how well do you think you have acculturated to Madrid? Check off if you ve completed the following: Chocolate con churros at Chocolateria San Ginés Take a picture at Placa del Kilómetro Cero Take a siesta Eat tapas and drink tinto de verano Shop at El Rastro Touch el Oso y el Madroño for good luck Befriend a Madrileño(a) Party in Chueca Have a picnic in Retiro Park Visit the Santiago Bernabeu stadium Grocery shopping in a mercado
So now that YOU know how important it is to have a positive acculturation style, what can you do to acculturate to life at SLU Madrid? -Enroll in a Spanish course or attend a language exchange. Just knowing the basics (how to greet, how to order in a restaurant...etc.) can help you have a better experience while abroad. -Consider yourself as a Spaniard and not as a foreigner living in Spain. This doesn t mean you have to change who you are. It just means that learning more about Spain and understanding its culture is important. What kind of government does Spain have? What soccer team does Madrid support? What are the Madrid fashion trends? -Don t be afraid to try new things! Practice the Spanish daily schedule such as: eat lunch at 2:00 PM, eat dinner at 10:00 PM, take a siesta or enjoying a sobremesa with your Spanish host family. Try a Reflective Coping Style Coping skills are crucial when it comes to preventing daily stressors caused by living in a foreign country. Using a problem-focused coping style is the best way to effectively resolve a problem. The reflective coping style focuses on: Understanding the problem Finding a variety of solutions Dealing with stress in a positive way When dealing with stressful situations, using reflective-coping skills can reduce negative feelings, keep you from avoiding the problem, make you feel less overwhelmed, and increase psychological well-being, which can ultimately lead to better acculturation. -Branch out and make friends from different cultures. This can expand your horizons and help you have a better understanding of the world. Making friends with Spaniards can help you understand Spain and make you feel a part of Spanish culture. -Maintain your bonds back at home while making new ones abroad. Staying in contact with your loved ones back home can actually help you through stressful situations that you might experience while abroad. Parents, best friends, and siblings can remind you who you are and of the strengths of your own culture. -Ask the Spanish students! International and visiting students often regret not making Spanish friends or being embarrassed to ask such simple things like, where to go grocery shopping. Spanish students will have no problem explaining anything to you and helping you with everything they can. And you might just make a new friend! -Explore Madrid! As you're planning your trips outside your country, don t forget to plan cool things to visit in the city you re living in. Try visiting the historic sites like El Retiro and the Palacio Real. Being comfortable and feeling like a part of this city can significantly reduce feelings of stress and increase positive acculturation. Interact with the Locals As an international student, interaction with locals can be very beneficial when it comes to acculturation. Research has demonstrated that only spending time with peers from the same country can result in: Greater difficulties experiencing the culture Feelings of homesickness Less cultural engagement
Students who socialized and connected with the locals reported greater immersion and more satisfaction with their experience abroad. It s also important for international students to identify themselves as temporary members of the country that they are living in. Using labels such as foreigner could ultimately lead to acculturation difficulties. Study abroad students who interact more with the foreign environment show enhanced personal growth and development as well as a greater understanding of the world. Speak The Language There are many benefits to speaking the language of your host country, such as: Smoother social interactions with others Development of quality relationships with locals A greater cultural experience Research shows that learning the local language can make students feel more comfortable when connecting with the culture and its people. This makes adaptation to a foreign environment easier. Be A Part of the Culture According to previous studies, international students are recommended to appreciate and engage in the culture. This includes: Understanding the culture Practicing the country s customs Keeping up with the country s current events