Course Description
More and more people are crossing cultural lines to live, work, or study in a culture very different from their own. But what is the experience like? Mere survival, for the sake of family or pride? Escape to a safe ghetto of folks "like me" who can buffer each other away from the foreignness all around? A series of misunderstandings, blunders, humiliations and disappointments? Or will you become one of the confident and contented world citizens, always moving out, seeing and learning new things all the time?
Some experts claim that those living and working abroad with no preparation may have a success rate as low as one in seven! Fortunately, preparing is not difficult. By considering a few important issues ahead of time, you can substantially increase your chances of having an enriching experience that will probably change your whole life.
So if you are going to work or study in a new country, or are dealing with people from many cultures in your current work, this class will help you learn to analyze your own cultural assumptions and become aware of those of others. We will discuss communication, culture shock, language and language learning, maintaining your health and security, home and family issues and other topics necessary and useful to help you become a confident and enthusiastic world citizen, able to enter and experience new cultures at will.
Course Requirements
Prerequisites: Students should be able to read and write English at least at high school level.
If you work about 4-8 hours per week, you should be able to finish the course in six weeks (two lessons per week), but this is not required, you may work at your own pace, and take up to three months to complete all lessons.
Course Goals
In completing this course, you will:
- understand the principles of culture and communication that are needed in adjustment to a new culture.
- work through the personal issues necessary in making a transition to a new culture.
- plan for logistical concerns such as visas, health care, family needs, etc.
- develop skills needed when crossing cultures.
Course Materials
No books or other materials are required, but some assignments must be printed out and completed by hand. These assignments are for you to keep and study again later.
Grading Policy
The course is Pass/Fail, with a passing grade dependent on active participation in the class discussion forum. Written assignments are for your own personal use, and are not required to be handed in.
