I just join to this forum, I hope I will get advise from everyone.
This is my final assignment that is about my experience of culture shock. Please tell me my mistake so I can learn more. I appreciate your help. Thanks a lot.
Cultural shock is a psychological reaction that happens to anyone who visit or immigrate to a new country. And I was not an exception when I moved to the US. I tried my best to go through my adjusted period.
Language is the most difficult problem that I have been trying to adjust. I have remembered a day that I arrived in American at Detroit airport. A customs officer asked me many security questions and he took so long to check my luggage and money. I tried my best to answer and explain to him that I only had 30 minutes to transfer to another flight and I hoped he could check my luggage fast so I could board on time. However, he did it so slowly and he seemed to not understand and care about my explanation. After that, I felt so useless and I cried a lot because of missing my flight. I also worried no more flight in this night for me to arrive in Philadelphia. Fortunately, another officer who was so kind and nice helped me exchange the ticket free for the next flight in this night after seeing my tears and sadness. This was the first time, I was aware of language difference was so terrible.
Additionally, communicating by English is also my fear. In the first time talking to my parent-in-law, I was so sad because they could not understand my English. I was so disappointed about myself and I thought I was a dumb person when I had to respond to my family by writing on paper or using my body language. I tried to stay in my room and I only went out in case it was necessary. After several weeks, I realized that my mother-in-law did not understand me because of pronounced difference in English. Therefore, I tried my best to correct my pronunciation by watching American TV Shows, asking my husband how to say new word whenever I see them. And my reward was my family's understanding. I felt so wonderful when Americans understood my English. It was such an interesting experience that I have ever had. After I obtained my confidence back, I tried to communicate with them by talking about difference of our culture, and I also found the locals were interested in my culture. As more we shared information of our countries as more I learned new things about my new place. Then, I felt more comfortable and relaxed because I knew I could solved my drawback easier than before.
Vary of cuisine was a big challenge for myself when I just came to America. My new family loves all kind of cheese that they always add it in their food. I felt American cheese has such a fat taste and terrible smell that I could not eat it even thought I tried some cheese in my county. I lost 4 pounds because I could not eat a lot. My body was so skinny that I knew I had to do something to solve my situation. I searched Asian market near my area and I was so happy that they have a big Asian market where takes 30 minutes from my apartment trades varied of Asian food. Therefore, I can cook Asian food for myself and my new family who have loved Asian food after they try my food.
I was shock not only language, cuisine but also difference of custom and culture between America and Vietnam, but I always remind myself about the reason why I came here to motivate myself to adapt to the new environment. Whenever I overcame a shock, I have more interesting experience that help me be familiar to a new country. Also I recognize I should study about new regions so I will not be shocked when I live or travel there. For me, you should never be shy to ask about the things that you do not know is the fastest way to learn about a new place and the best adjusted approach to your new life.
This is my final assignment that is about my experience of culture shock. Please tell me my mistake so I can learn more. I appreciate your help. Thanks a lot.
Cultural shock is a psychological reaction that happens to anyone who visit or immigrate to a new country. And I was not an exception when I moved to the US. I tried my best to go through my adjusted period.
Language is the most difficult problem that I have been trying to adjust. I have remembered a day that I arrived in American at Detroit airport. A customs officer asked me many security questions and he took so long to check my luggage and money. I tried my best to answer and explain to him that I only had 30 minutes to transfer to another flight and I hoped he could check my luggage fast so I could board on time. However, he did it so slowly and he seemed to not understand and care about my explanation. After that, I felt so useless and I cried a lot because of missing my flight. I also worried no more flight in this night for me to arrive in Philadelphia. Fortunately, another officer who was so kind and nice helped me exchange the ticket free for the next flight in this night after seeing my tears and sadness. This was the first time, I was aware of language difference was so terrible.
Additionally, communicating by English is also my fear. In the first time talking to my parent-in-law, I was so sad because they could not understand my English. I was so disappointed about myself and I thought I was a dumb person when I had to respond to my family by writing on paper or using my body language. I tried to stay in my room and I only went out in case it was necessary. After several weeks, I realized that my mother-in-law did not understand me because of pronounced difference in English. Therefore, I tried my best to correct my pronunciation by watching American TV Shows, asking my husband how to say new word whenever I see them. And my reward was my family's understanding. I felt so wonderful when Americans understood my English. It was such an interesting experience that I have ever had. After I obtained my confidence back, I tried to communicate with them by talking about difference of our culture, and I also found the locals were interested in my culture. As more we shared information of our countries as more I learned new things about my new place. Then, I felt more comfortable and relaxed because I knew I could solved my drawback easier than before.
Vary of cuisine was a big challenge for myself when I just came to America. My new family loves all kind of cheese that they always add it in their food. I felt American cheese has such a fat taste and terrible smell that I could not eat it even thought I tried some cheese in my county. I lost 4 pounds because I could not eat a lot. My body was so skinny that I knew I had to do something to solve my situation. I searched Asian market near my area and I was so happy that they have a big Asian market where takes 30 minutes from my apartment trades varied of Asian food. Therefore, I can cook Asian food for myself and my new family who have loved Asian food after they try my food.
I was shock not only language, cuisine but also difference of custom and culture between America and Vietnam, but I always remind myself about the reason why I came here to motivate myself to adapt to the new environment. Whenever I overcame a shock, I have more interesting experience that help me be familiar to a new country. Also I recognize I should study about new regions so I will not be shocked when I live or travel there. For me, you should never be shy to ask about the things that you do not know is the fastest way to learn about a new place and the best adjusted approach to your new life.
