Date of Graduation
Spring 5-20-2016
Document Access
Project/Capstone - Global access
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
College/School
School of Education
Department/Program
International and Multicultural Education (IME)
First Advisor
Dr. Luz Navarrette Garcia
Abstract
San Francisco’s complex communal tapestry can lead to cultural disorientation, dislocation, and unfamiliarity for recently arrived F-1 and M-1 international students, a series of events that when related to problematic adaptation issues and negative adjustment implementations is known as culture shock. Easing the adaptation process for this population is considered to be of academic importance from a progressive, economic, sociocultural, and intercultural perspective. Thus, the organizing purpose and principle of the project is to enable cultural adaptation for students who reside in San Francisco by instilling in them proximal, behavioral, and situational safety awareness. The project takes the form of a visually oriented workbook structured around the notion of authentic learning materials that have been designed to establish sociocultural adaptation skills and acculturation strategies for students that are based upon culturally specific tasks. In practice, these behavioral and intercultural learning tasks are derived from the Multiple Intelligences learning model of variable learning styles and modalities, and incorporate real-life scenarios such as the logistics involved in living within an urban environment, methods of traveling via various modes of public transportation, and the importance of the establishment of friendship networks for international students. It is to be hoped that by effectively utilizing the project, students will become equipped with the essential skill sets necessary to participate productively in socio-emotional and multicultural interactions, and be able to navigate the daunting task of learning a non-native language and a new culture simultaneously, thereby improving their chance at cultural adjustment and adaptation at the personal, academic, and sociocultural level.
Recommended Citation
Sugajski, Gregory R., "From Culture Shock to Cultural Adaptation: A Workbook for International Students" (2016). Master's Projects and Capstones. 277.
https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/277
