Adapting to a New Culture by Prof. Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph.D.

by reeve Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:08 pm

ADAPTING TO A NEW CULTURE
Prof. Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph.D.

Initially, we feel so excited when we are moving to a new place or to a new country. But when we are there, we begin to feel the differences and we wish like going back home. We feel this simply because we are habituated to a particular way of doing things that when it is done differently, we find it difficult to digest. This is a common experience among people going abroad or moving to a totally new place.
You might have noticed that recently, there has been an increase of Filipinos migrating directly from Korea to other countries such as Canada, this article may be of help to them. This is also for those who have just arrived in a new country and those who have been in a foreign country for quite a long time because adapting to a new culture might take longer than expected, depending on the person.
The question is: are we ready to adapt to a new culture? Here are some tips to equip us with the knowledge, proper attitude, and skills needed to be able to adapt to a new culture.

Tips to equip ourselves to adapt to a new culture

Have an open mind

Tabula rasa, a concept promoted by John Locke, describes the mind before it receives impressions gained from experience. It is likened to a clean sheet of paper, without any writing on it, completely blank. This exactly describes the kind of mind we must have upon entry into a new place or country. Getting as many information as possible about the place or country we are going to is essential because it will help us prepare ourselves. This information should facilitate our openness to experience and encounter new things such as food, language, people, etc. �Let it be,� maybe this can stimulate our openness to new experiences. The manner something is being done in our country may be different from how the people in a foreign country do it, but always bear in mind that people do the same thing in many different ways.

Understand the reason for the difference

There is certainly a reason for the difference. Knowing the reason behind that difference will make it easier to accept and understand. In Korea for example, many foreign workers are complaining about the 12-14 hours work in companies. They have a difficulty accepting and adapting to this kind of culture. What makes it more difficult is the resistance to understand why they are such a diligent, hard-working people. Korean history reveals that their economy used to be in the dumps in the past, they were such a poor nation, aggravated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) crisis. This motivated them to work hard and extend their work hours to be able cope with their economic difficulties. Maybe after discovering this, we find ourselves saying�. �Aha!!! now, I know�.now, I understand.� Then everything will be easier to accept.

Avoid being judgmental about people

It is understandable that we have our own biases and prejudices against other people and nationalities. This may be due to our previous experiences and encounters with them, news about that country, and others. They get stuck into our subconscious minds so they are difficult to forget. I have always believed that man, regardless of race, background, age or gender, is full of surprises. He has a multitude of good as well as bad qualities and though how bad he is, he has always something good to share to others. Labeling or stereotyping people is unfair because we might have stunted their growth and hindered them from showing their best qualities. Allowing them to show their strengths will help us adapt to a new culture.

Maintain your sense of humor

�Laughter is the best medicine!� Filipinos are known to be one of the happiest people in the world. Our sense of humor is a big help. We sometimes say �Mababaw ang kaligayahan ng Pinoy,� but let it be that way for as long as it keeps our sanity. The jokes and laughter we share, though how �babaw� they can be will keep us away from depression and insanity. We have the ability to laugh at little things, we can even laugh at our mistakes and shortcomings. This is one of our qualities admired by Koreans. They have seen the widespread poverty in the Philippines but they are amazed by the joy and happiness of the Filipinos despite this situation. A number of cases of kababayans having depression and psychological problems have been brought to the attention of the Filipino Catholic Center in Korea. These may have been caused by a variety of reasons but should they have kept their sense of humor, most probably, their depression could not have worsened, or it could have been avoided.

Observe

Experience is the best teacher as the adage goes. May I add, �Learning the way they think, do, and say things by observation� is another teacher. Observation means using our five, if not six senses in learning other cultures. We watch or see, feel or touch, taste, listen, and smell with our hearts to be fully aware, understand and accept other cultures. Our co-workers and employers will not teach us everything. It is our responsibility to learn things, very essential things, on our own to be able to survive in a foreign country or place. We are responsible for ourselves.

Interact with people from your own country

�Going to Hyehwadong feels like home.� I often hear these from our kababayans. This is absolutely true! Meeting Filipinos, eating Filipino food, speaking in our mother tongue, sharing experiences and meeting new friends will definitely make us feel better and eradicate that homesickness that we feel. Don�t lock yourself up in your room on weekends, go out and spend some time with your Filipino friends. It will give you enough energy and strength to face the coming week�s work.

Remain in touch

There�s nothing more effective than keeping in touch with our family and loved ones. They are the primary reasons why we took the challenge and risk of going to another country. They are the sources of our courage and strength, too. Frustrations, disappointments, and temptations may come along the way but remaining in touch with our family and dreams will keep us focused.

Some of my Korean friends sometimes criticize Filipinos for being �this and that, why are you like this and that, why don�t you be like this and that�.� I allow them to express their opinions but after that I say: �There is no good or bad culture. Other country�s culture is not superior over the other. We just have to understand and accept individual differences because we have our own unique history and civilization that affect the way we think, do and say things. Harmonious and peaceful relationship is a matter of respecting one�s individuality and uniqueness.�

So, let�s strive to have an open mind, let�s be critical enough to understand the reason for the difference, avoid being judgmental about people, maintain our sense of humor, keenly observe our surroundings, constantly interact with people from our country, and keep in touch with our loved ones.

The writer: Prof. Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph.D. , is currently Chairman, Education Committee-Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for Filipino Migrants, Seoul, South Korea. Teacher, Korea Missionary Society Seminary, Suwon, South Korea

by dave Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:53 am

Thank you so much Prof. Emely. I really like this composition! Very helpful and encouraging... Very Happy

by angel Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:47 pm

again tita ems i just want to thank you for this article..i got a lot of tips everytime i read an article from you...keep up the good work and more power....