Response to Chapter 11 (Esther)

In this chapter, it talks about intercultural encounters. The simplest form of intercultural encounter is between one foreign individual and a new cultural environment. The foreigner usually experiences some form of cultural shock. For every new cultural environment there is a new shock. To deal with it, establishing true integration does work. The key to establish such an environment is that people can meet and mix as equals. In the article, there are some examples of this kind of environment. Sport clubs, universities, work organizations, and armies.

Besides this, we can find other aspects of intercultural encounters. Like language and humor, in most intercultural encounters the parties speak different native languages and have different humors. In tourism, schools and also work place, we can see intercultural encounters. One of the causes is the language. Since the language is the tool to express and deliver information. Other causes are differences in cognitive abilities and institutional, also too many irrelevant materials.

Actually, when I came to the US, I also experienced the cultural shock. Emmm, I think I am still experiencing cultural shock now but I get used to it gradually. And I do encounter some difficulties when expressing my ideas in English. When dealing with the same problem, people from different countries will have different perspectives and different styles. It's an interesting but also a tough process.