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To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.– Aldous Huxley |
Summer Abroad Student Handbook (SASH){Chapter Eight: Cross-Cultural Competency & Etiquette} |
What's Up With Culture?/ Global Scholar
Be aware that appropriate behavior in the U.S. may not be considered acceptable in your host country. Did you know that eating while walking is taboo in Japan? That certain gestures that Americans use regularly are considered highly insulting in other cultures? Investigate the practices and norms of your destination culture before you depart. For information on the customs and etiquette of your destination country, check out the Culture Shock! series available for your review in the Summer Abroad office.
What's Up With Culture?/ Global Scholar
Summer Abroad invites students to take advantage of unique, cross-cultural online training sessions:
What’s Up With Culture: http://www.pacific.edu/sis/culture/.
GlobalScholar.com: http://globaled.us/globalscholar/
Etiquette
Guest lecturers and special guides from the host country are frequently invited to speak to Summer Abroad students. These professionals are our guests and should be treated with respect. Students should be attentive and should treat the learning environment as if it were a business meeting. Do not eat; do not listen to your ipod; do not speak with other students or in any way disrespect these speakers. Your instructor will provide guidelines for dressing appropriately for special occasions. Please follow these guidelines.
Dancing / Night Clubs
Be aware that dancing styles vary in different countries and can be perceived differently than one might think. Americans (especially women) should be aware that foreigners can interpret some styles of American dance as being very sexual and crude. Some American dancing styles may bring unwanted attention and may give the person you are dancing with mixed messages about intimacy. If you go to a nightclub in your host country, observe the locals dancing, keeping in mind that couples may dance closely, but strangers do not.
Gender and Sexuality
It is likely students will be viewed according to the gender expectations of the host culture and may at times feel uncomfortable. This is particularly true for female, transgender, and intersex students who may find themselves the target of unwanted attention, discrimination, theft, harassment, or the rare extreme, assault.
You are your own best resource in preparing to face a range of possible situations. Educate yourself about your host country’s language, religion, customs, and appropriate dress. Once abroad, follow examples of culturally appropriate dress and demeanor.
Precautions also apply socially. Most likely, you will find the people you meet to be interesting and interested in you. However, don’t make judgments regarding your safety based on another person's appearance or financial status. The following tips may help students faced with an uncomfortable situation:
If you receive unwanted attention, try these tactics:
Cultural differences are never an excuse for being a victim of criminal behavior, or verbal or physical abuse. If you are a victim of such behavior, report this to local authorities and your instructor, immediately.
LGBT Resources
Gay and Lesbian students need to become educated about attitudes they can expect in their host country. Helpful online information for gay and lesbian travelers is available from:
No student should have to deal with any type of abuse, and if you are harassed or threatened because of your sexual orientation, please report the behavior to your instructor immediately. If you feel uncomfortable discussing this issue with your instructor, you can call or email a Program Coordinator at Summer Abroad who will try to help and/or put you in touch with other campus resource. We will maintain complete confidentiality.