Post Classifieds
Culture shock evident at BSC
International students show our differences
By Maureen Vitali
On May 4, 2012
The first time an American asked Hanne Bratsberg how she was doing, she froze.
The graduate student from Norway didn't know how to respond.
Eventually, she told the stranger exactly how she felt at that moment and why.
She hadn't realized that the practice of asking someone how he or she is doing is a
common courtesy in America.
"In a way, Americans are more open than what I'm used to in Norway," said
Bratsberg, who is studying creative studies. "While people in Norway are friendly,
Americans will say, 'How are you?' to a stranger."
"I eventually realized it's more about acknowledging a person, rather than trying to
understand their life story."
Many international students who come to the United States to study at Buffalo State
are surprised by some of the subtle, unspoken social etiquette rules that Americans
practice.
Jean Gounard, director of the International Student Affairs Office, said some degree
of culture shock is inevitable for international students who study abroad.
"It can be difficult to pinpoint which customs will shock which international
students," Gounard said. "A lot of students have a preconceived notion about how
America is, with the food, the people and so on. But many times, they are often
shocked by little things."
When caught in predicaments similar to the one Bratsberg found herself in, Gounard
said the best measure that can be taken to reduce friction between international and
domestic students is to understand their culture as best as possible.
Gounard gave the example of a female Middle Eastern student he had worked with.
"When a male friend of mine met her, he attempted to embrace her," Gounard
said. "To his surprise, she jumped back and demanded that she not touch her. My
friend took it personally, but I had to pull him to the side and explain that married
Middle Eastern women cannot be touched by anyone but their husbands."
Gounard said that although it is impossible for anyone to know the intricacies of
all foreign practices, it is important to bear in mind different countries and creeds
practice diverse customs.
"The best thing I can do for students at Buffalo State in terms of accepting
international students is to increase their ability to understand," Gounard said. "Yes,
it's a touchy topic, and yes, it may be uncomfortable at times, but it must be done if
we want to move forward as a campus and as a society."
Gounard said he, with the help of his staff and some volunteer students, has
implemented several programs to increase awareness about international students
on campus and how domestic students can take steps to help welcome and
accommodate them, including an international student mentor program, seminars
catered to the general Buffalo State public and others specially created for the
residence life in-hall staff.
"I believe that it is important to reach out to resident assistants because they are the
first line of command in the residence halls," Gounard said. "They have the power to
facilitate the experience of the international students in a big way."
Gounard said the International Students Organization, which puts on events for
international and domestic students alike, is a big help to foreign students and that
the International Student Social Hour provides an opportunity for domestic and
international students get acquainted.
Raquel Barcena Toyos, a graduate student from Spain working on her teacher's
certificate in Spanish, has been very involved in these programs.
Since attending the programs, she said her understanding of American culture has
improved, but that it was not always the case.
Toyos said when she first came to the United States, she was shocked to discover
how much Americans value their personal space. She was particularly surprised at
how Americans reacted to her style of greeting.
"When we meet someone in Spain, we don't shake hands," said Toyos. "If you're a
girl you give two kisses, whether you're meeting a girl or a boy. Here in America,
people get uncomfortable if others are too close to them."
Toyos said when she tried to greet people in America as she would in Spain, they
jumped back and asked her what she thought she was doing. She said at first she
was very confused and embarrassed, but now she understands that shaking hands is
more acceptable when meeting someone in the United States.
"It still throws me off, but I'm getting used to it," Toyos said.
On a similar vein, Chendan Cui, a graduate student from China studying creative
studies, was also surprised at how conservative Americans are.
Cui said she thought that since she has been watching American television shows
such as "CSI," "Bones," "The Mentalist," "Lie to Me," "American Idol" and "The Biggest
Loser" for many years, she knew the ins and outs of American customs fairly well.
However, her unofficial study of American culture did not prepare her for the shock
that she encountered in terms of sexual harassment in the United States.
"In China, if someone says a woman has a good figure, its complimentary," Cui
said. "In America, it's a lawsuit."
Cui said in China, her academic department has a big party every year. At this party,
what Americans might deem as sexual misconduct is the norm.
"At the party, even the dean would make dirty jokes," Cui said. "It's just a normal part of life."
Cui said although the lack of tolerance that Americans seem to hold for public
references to sexual attributes is strange to her, she is getting used to it.
For comments on this story, contact bscrecord@gmail.com.
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