[Taken from: Cultures in Contrast, 2nd Edition: Student Life at u.S. Colleges and Universities, 2009 by Myra Ann Shulman ]

Discussion of the case

Answer the following questions about the case study.

1. Can you understand what Dita is going through and empathize with her?

2. What kind of person is Dita? How would you describe her?

3. How well has she been coping with her college life?

4. What specific problems is Dita having in adapting to American college life?

5. What kind of person is Sandra, Dita's roommate? How would you describe her?

6. What types of support does Dita's college offer to international students?

7. How important are friends in helping a student adjust to a new life?

8. What steps could Dita take to become more comfortable in the United States?

Case Study Report: brainstorming

Use brainstorming to come up with the four sections of the report, which should be written in the format given in the outline that follows.

Brainstorming is the unrestrained offering of suggestions by members of a group to seek solutions to problems. No idea is considered too absurd to mention. The purpose is to generate as many ideas as possible

I. Statement of the Problem

A. Definition

B. Analysis

II. Suggestion of Possible Solutions

A. Solution 1

B. Solution 2

C. Solution 3

III. Evaluation of Possible Solutions

A. Solution 1

1. Advantages

2. Disadvantages

Social Adjustment 7

B. Solution 2

1. Advantages

2. Disadvantages

C. Solution 3

1. Advantages

2. Disadvantages

IV. Selection of a Solution

A. Choice

B. Justification

Read the following case study report and the prezi presentation based on the reading "Coming to North America" and comment upon the solutions and justifications. Which ones do you agree and disagree with? What would have you done differently?

http://prezi.com/nuoaicskawkq/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Vocabulary

Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate words to complete the following paragraphs. Use each word only once.

barrier coping liberal appealing bland superficial adapt traditions assimilated differ

When international students attend schools in the United States, they often experience varying degrees of emotional and physical distress in the first few months of living in the new country. These feelings of distress and alienation, known as culture shock, tend to disappear with time although some students suffer more than others. Research shows that this "uprooting disorder" will be less severe if students are highly motivated, psychologically mature, experienced in living in other countries, and competent in the language. Of course, if students don't have a good command of English, the language ________ will make it even harder for them to learn the appropriate social skills they need in their new environment.

First of all, in trying to ______ to the customs and _____ of this country, students may find the general pace of life a problem. This is particularly true for students who are attending schools in large cities because life in large cities in the United States is lived at a fast pace. People seem to rush around and don't take time to relax, except on weekends. Families rarely eat lunch together, and some don't even eat dinner at the same time because they are just too busy trying to keep up with all their activities. According to one Chinese visitor, "The average American does not understand the calm conversing, napping, strolling, sitting quietly, and various other kinds of leisurely relaxation that Chinese enjoy. They think they are alive only when they are 'doing' and 'moving.'"

Another problem is caused by the fact that most new students lack the social support systems they had in their home countries. A network of friends can enable an international student to overcome many difficulties, and it is especially helpful to form friendships with native English speakers. However, although North American students can seem friendly, their friendliness is rather _______ and insincere. "Let's get together," they say, without setting a definite date. "Hi. How're you doing?" they ask, without expecting or waiting for an answer. To international students, Americans appear to be self-absorbed and uninterested in making friends.

Also, ethical beliefs and value systems ______ from culture to culture, and students may feel anxious about living in a society whose values do not match theirs. For instance, some international students may consider the attitudes of Americans much too _____ in regard to moral issues, such as young men and women having intimate relationships or living together before marriage. Moreover, the use of drugs and alcohol may be unacceptable to them. Finally, the North American food is usually not at all to students whose native food is spicy, healthful, and full of variety.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, and French fries can become boring on a daily basis, and they aren't as healthful as fresh fruits and vegetables or rice and beans. Because they dislike the food, many students do not eat properly during their first few months in the United States. Therefore, it is fairly common for them to lose weight or get sick during this period of adjustment.

Despite these various problems, most international students are flexible enough to acquire the skills required in their new surroundings as they become more aware of others' values and practices.6 Gradually, they grow accustomed to the lifestyle in the United States, build a network of friendships, and learn to enjoy the benefits of living abroad. Actually, culture shock can be a positive experience of growth and learning and is a normal response to change.7 In fact, students who have become into North American culture may even have reverse culture shock when they return to their home countries.