Hey guys so I have been experiencing some difficulties with my camera( basically I pack horribly). I ended up having to buy a chip reader out here so I can finally upload my blogs WITH PICTURES!!!! SO LET’S GET STARTED!
This past week has been an adventure in itself. I can only explain it with an analogy used by CIEE directory Clinton Redcliffe when he describes the three stages of culture shock. He used three apples to signify the stages of culture shock. Imagining that you have never seen an apple before, you look at the apple, see how beautiful and red it is and when you bite into the apple you immediately fall into this euphoric state. The first state of culture shock is this all over excitement and love for this new place and all its interesting difference from what you are used to. Stage two is the complete opposite of stage one. You start to compare this second apple to the other fruits you are normally used to. An apple taste nothing like an orange and you start to miss the taste of a orange and prefer the taste of an orange. You start to resent everything about the apple that separates it from an orange. This second stage is when you start to judge and compare everything that separates your home from this new environment. Home sickness usually occurs during this stage. At stage three you take the apple for what it is. No comparison to other fruits you just start to see the apple for what it is not what it isn’t or could be like. Each blog I write I will which apple I am currently on. For example today I am on APPLE 2! I’m seriously missing home, probably because I am on Facebook and Youtube withdrawal and the fact that my computer and the internet here are speaking different languages! Unfortunately every time I get to this point I look at these pictures and I’m back on APPLE ONE!
Top of Table Mountain
Getting over my fear of heights. . . Slowly
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
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That’s a great analogy. I’m studying in London and due to the lack of a language barrier I thought I wouldn’t be culture shocked at all, but I was! It’s such a grounding experience.
That’s a great analogy. I’m studying in London and due to the lack of a language barrier I thought I wouldn’t be culture shocked at all, but I was! It’s such a grounding experience.
That is a very useful analogy, and you should try hard to get to Apple 3 consistently by the end of your program! It is refreshing to strip away the conditioned reactions and finally look at a culture for what it is instead of what you think it should be. Of course there are pros and cons to any country or culture, including the U.S. Also, I love the pictures! South Africa looks beautiful!