Labib Pierre Labib Professor Ritt English 2019

Labib 3pierre Labibprofessor Rittenglish 241 H Hwmay 5 2019culture Sh

Labib 3pierre Labibprofessor Rittenglish 241 H Hwmay 5 2019culture Sh

Labib 3 Pierre Labib Professor Ritt English 241 H-HW May 5, 2019 Culture shock Experience Bob is a young enthusiastic young man who loves swimming and partying. He is very social, and everyone loves to be associated with him. Every time we have some work to do in groups, most of the students fight their way to be in the same group with him. They refer to him as the King of adventure. He is naturally charismatic and very hardworking.

There is a story that everyone knows about Bob because he told it in class sometime back. His life so far is like a movie script. Bob has a fantastic past which is built from a humble background and migration into the United States when he could barely utter an English word. Bob was born and raised in Dubai and coming to America was mainly facilitated by the thirst for education. His home country is prestigious.

Dubai boasts of countable unique and prestigious attractions that the whole world takes notice of. The work ethic is professionally modeled to utilize intellects and duly award them. The country’s domestic and international relations stand out in the entire world. This is the reason for the increased influx of immigrants and foreign investors who work majorly with the private sector to not only benefit the employer but also improve their personal and professional life. With all these recommendable facts, nevertheless, Bob found a gap that he could only fill by coming to America.

He recalls the chilly morning of January 17th, 2017, when he bid his family goodbye. Eventually, he would come to the United States of America. This was a long-awaited moment. His flight took off around 0245 hours, and the trip took 14 hours to arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Cutting through the clouds was something he had previously experienced, but at this particular moment, it was different. This marked the beginning of his disorientation. Most of his international journeys he had traveled with his parents, but he was alone in this one. The passenger seated next to him, James, was an American white but unfortunately, they could not communicate well apart from just telling each other names. Language barrier stood between them.

He had expected that he would be lucky to get a seat close to someone conversant with the Arabic language so that they could bond during the journey because he knew very well, he could not converse fluently in English. He was still a learner of the English Language and could not speak or even understand the American accent. James too could not comprehend Arabic, so gestures significantly complemented cases that verbal communication failed. That was the mystery in his journey. His arrival was only made smooth by the fact that his father had contacted a friend who works as a taxi driver near the airport to pick him.

He was then transferred to the University and helped through the registration process and accommodation arrangements. He completed the process and settled down for his studies. Before embarking on his academic program, he had to solve one major challenge. He had to make his life bearable here. Sometimes he regretted about his decision which could hardly be reversed.

The culture shock was real, and he had to face it head-on. Day and night, he consoled himself that all will one day get to be healthy. His attachment to his family was crucial. It was difficult for him to associate with issues and people within the University, neighbors and social places as most of them are unrelated to his native culture. He stayed withdrawn.

He always recalled his mother’s encouragement that “the world is a global village, am just a phone call away we can talk laugh and dine together my son.” He found strength in her words and could continue attending classes and doing his classwork successfully. His father just told him, “Go make a difference in your life, remain focused.” In February 2017, he joined University. He describes that month as the most challenging moment in his life. He suffered lots of lifestyle challenges ranging from food, the locals’ habits and the pace of life. Back at home, he could eat his native Arabic food which was way too expensive in America.

The Emirati cuisine comprises foods from the vast region of Middle Eastern and Asian dishes. Here he had to research and sometimes the desired hotels could be located quite distant from his residence. Sometimes he missed ‘Shawarma’ and ‘al machaaboos’ famous traditional dishes in Dubai. Shawarma for example in the traditional recipe is meat marinated with spices like grounded coriander, cumin, cloves, paprika, black pepper, cinnamon, garlic, onion, vinegar, and olive oil. He could often find himself looking at the images with these delicious dishes.

He knew he could still see them in New York, but it was not easy to identify the hotels. At this time, he only ate Di Fara Pizza and a few other foods which he never liked. The economic situation, however, is quite cheaper compared to Dubai. The primary commodities such as food items are relatively economical in the USA. Issues of foreign currency arose several times whenever he wanted to shop for products.

He had been used to the rates of Dirham a currency used in Dubai and the entire United Arab Emirates, contrary to Dollar a currency that he had to adopt in his daily life. Even though he had traveled abroad, he never had direct experience of using cards to pay for most of his bills. This was not a significant challenge as per se as he got used to budget within two weeks. Don’t forget though, and he had to walk with a shopping list. Life continued presenting difficulties during the first year in America.

In August 2017, he was infected with flu that lasted for weeks and added joint pains to his troubled situation. Though he got treated and healed completely, he encountered difficulties seeking treatment in hospitals due to the language barrier, but he managed to start making friends due to necessity. He recalls the first time he entered into the consultation room in local clinic “I need treatment, pain inside” that is all he could say. However, he was lucky there was a translator who helped through the process. In December 2017, he had already started being used to the new culture, but one incident will remain in his memory throughout his entire life.

It was Saturday around 10 o’clock when he got out to feel the cool morning breeze as he walked on the streets. He decided to sit on a public bench to fix his headphones, and he heard a voice. “Oh, ooh oooooh please help, help, help please” a sound of a lady in pain. He drew near the road to check what was happening. “What is happening? Why are you down? Are you hurting?” He asked all these questions without minding whether the lady understood him. He rushed to help her. “I have just injured my leg as I was doing some exercise here. Kindly I need your help, kindly get a bandage we need to stop bleeding first, here is the money” she handed some dollars. Looking at her leg, her left knee was bleeding and needed to be attended to. He did not have the first aid items, so he had to rush to the nearby chemist to get a bandage.

He did not find any visible chemist and had to rush back and seek alternative help for her. “Where is the bandage? Can’t help! You have just overlooked a chemist and came back. Give back my money!” She shouted embarrassing him to the already few people who were waiting for the bandage to attend to her. “I did not see any drug store” he politely explained to one young man who seemed to be kind to him. “Here in America, some drug stores also stock products like sodas. You must be a foreigner just like me” the young man explained. He was amazed because back at home and the United Kingdom, which is the only country he had visited before New York; chemists are meant for medicine and medicinal products exclusively. This said that he had to make friends further be able to understand some of these things.

That is the moment he became friends with his fellow foreigner though from different native countries. His name was Caelian. The pressure was still high as Bob tried to adjust to the American way of life completely. Surprisingly, his experience was contrary to that of other foreigners. To them, the first few weeks were characterized by love for the new culture in America. His Italian friend Caelian had experienced this. During these first few months, Bob tried to associate with nationals who speak Arabic but could not find enough time with them. “Everybody here is busy with their lives,” Caelian always told him whenever he felt irritated by this culture. Social life back at home, especially in his town, possessed a significant meaning for him. People visited and afforded time for each other. He always leaned towards people who seemed polite to him as a foreigner until August 2018, when he met Natasha. She is born and raised in New York. He calls her his other sister as she understood him and devoted to accompany and help him fully adapt to the American lifestyle. She ensured that he found and ate healthy meals and maintained contact with his fellow students. They are an alike-minded duo.

Every weekend they enjoy playing chess and attend rugby and basketball tournaments to cheer for their favorite teams. Caelian frequently joins them to have fun together. Since Bob’s culture shock was severe, in September 2018, he enrolled for psychological counseling within the University to help him overcome the depression. His friend Caelian enabled him all through to get advice. On March 21st, 2019, he talked to his mother as he usually did.

He was not depressed anymore this time around. He referred to America as his second home. The culture shock can be painful and disappointing if it remains unresolved. He had to continually acknowledge that the feeling is normal, keep in touch with friends and relatives at home, seek psychological counseling, and believe in himself as he focused on his ambitions. When appropriately tackled, one can change the attitude. Today he appreciates the beauty and diversity exhibited in the American way of life as he stays true to his fundamental values and culture. His challenges built a strong and bold man inside, and today he is one of the best students in his class.

Paper For Above instruction

Culture shock is a profound and often challenging experience faced by individuals who move from one cultural environment to another, especially when the new environment has stark differences from their native culture. The narrative of Bob, a young man from Dubai who migrates to the United States for education, vividly exemplifies the multifaceted nature of culture shock and the resilience required to adapt successfully.

Bob’s journey begins with a sense of anticipation and excitement, but upon arriving in the U.S., he confronts immediate disorientation caused by language barriers, unfamiliar social norms, and different lifestyles. His initial struggles underscore the profound impact culture shock has on newcomers, manifesting in feelings of withdrawal, confusion, and homesickness. These emotional responses are typical in such transitions, as individuals grapple with losing familiarity and needing to establish new routines.

One significant aspect of Bob’s experience is the language barrier, which hampers daily communication and access to services like healthcare. His encounter with a lady injured in the street highlights the cultural differences in understanding services and social interactions. His surprise at the non-specialized drug stores and the need to make new foreign friends, such as Caelian, illustrate the importance of social support and the process of cultural acclimatization through relationships. Such friendships can ease the pain of adaptation by creating a sense of community and shared understanding.

Furthermore, Bob’s story illustrates the economic and dietary adjustments that international migrants often face. The high cost of traditional foods like Shawarma in the U.S. and the need to adapt to different monetary practices, such as using credit cards, exemplify practical challenges. These everyday issues contribute significantly to the overall stress of adjusting to a new environment. Economic stability and access to familiar products influence the overall experience of migration and can either alleviate or compound culture shock.

The health-related challenges, including illness and navigating the healthcare system, are also critical facets of Bob’s experience. His flu and subsequent difficulty accessing treatment highlight broader systemic challenges faced by foreign nationals. The importance of assistance from translators and friends becomes evident, underpinning the necessity of social networks for health and well-being. These experiences demonstrate that overcoming such barriers requires resourcefulness, patience, and social integration.

Bob’s resilience is further evidenced by his efforts to connect with others, like Natasha, who becomes a supportive figure, and Caelian, his foreign friend. These relationships are instrumental in helping him gradually accept and embrace American culture, shifting from feelings of alienation to appreciation of diversity and opportunity. His enrollment in psychological counseling depicts the crucial role mental health support plays in managing the emotional toll of culture shock.

Ultimately, Bob’s narrative emphasizes that culture shock, while initially painful, can be overcome through support, adaptation, and positive attitudes. His journey from withdrawal to integration exemplifies the resilience and adaptability necessary for cross-cultural success. The experience fosters personal growth, fosters cultural understanding, and broadens perspectives, transforming initial challenges into opportunities for development. Today, Bob views America as his second home, a testament to the human capacity to adapt and thrive in diverse cultural landscapes.

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