Arabs Experiences and Culture Shock in London - Assignment Example

Impacts of culture shock on Arabs in London and their Response Part A –Introduction Present increased movement of people to other global states while in pursuit of own goals has prompted them encounter different cultures. This poses a challenge as they adapt to their respective destinations’ cultures despite at first appearing as a fun and very happy about it. Therefore, it is for this reason prompted me to research about Arabs’ shock culture while in London thus understand what challenges they experienced and underwent while trying to cope with British culture. This is despite London being a multicultural region and having numerous institutions as well as areas where Arabs can mingle easily with fellow people whom they almost share similar cultures. 1. Terms of reference You will put this information before submitting. 2. Research question and objectives In this ethnographic study, the researcher uses one research question, which also acts as a guiding tool to acquire right information from Arab interviewees: What kind of impact has the culture shock for Arabs in London and how they respond to that? Predominantly, this question intends to acquire first hand information from Arabs residing in London about cultural experiences, which they face each day and underwent after arriving in London. It will also aid in probing further information on how they feel about British culture, which is different from theirs. 3. Background to the topic: In this study, I want to research about Arabs’ experiences and culture shock, which they underwent at the beginning of their stay in London. The study will also determine how Arabs feel while in London as well as compare British and Arab cultures, which are significantly diverse. i. Definition of culture shock Culture shock is a very interesting topic based on responses I received after inquiring from Arabs whom some of them include my friends; regarding what were their experiences once they arrived in London. They claimed to have experienced almost similar problems though in dealing with them was more of an individual (due to personality issues). According to “Business Dictionary”, “Shock Culture” refers to, “Sense of confusion, discomfort, disorientation and uncertainty felt by those exposed to a different cultural environment.” Mainly, these are fluctuations, which an individual experiences once he or she finds oneself in a country that is not his or hers, which is “first phase of familiarization.” This phase, everything to the person is strange to the extent of not knowing exactly what he or she ought to behave. Some of the things that seem strange that I will intend to address include use of ATMs, Phone calls and visiting supermarkets. Besides the aforementioned challenges, the newcomer in order to mingle well with other people need to learn the region’s values and morals despite experiencing language barriers in certain circumstances. I will analyze Arabs’ shock culture based on the following Kalvero Oberg’s five stages while conducting interviews in order to ascertain feelings. 1) Phase of euphoria/Honeymoon – Here the person seems to be more of a spectator while experiencing new culture with curiosity. 2) Phase of alienation – The person is aware of new culture that poses difficulties. 3) Phase of escalation – He or she starts blaming the new culture but glorifies his or her culture, which may yield to conflicts if this state is mismanaged. 4) Phase of misunderstandings – One fails to understand prompting him or her assuming what he or she cannot condone while claiming it is due to cultural differences. 5) Phase of understanding – Understanding of different cultures as well as learning them. (Pedersen, 1995) Other phases that would emerge as problems include Depression, loneliness, melancholy Uncertainty and inability Decreased self-esteem Sleep disorders, insomnia Depression Fury Identity crises (Konradin Medien, 2014) Because one of my interviewees has these problems, I hope all other will be honest enough and tell me their ordeals. ii. Social group I choose to interview mostly people aged from 18 years and above. This included both students in higher institutions and working people. I took a sample of 12 interviewees (7 students and 5 other people) of Arabian origin with the intention of obtaining first hand information, which will act as primary source of this study. iii. Definition of the setting The study’s setting was in institutions or anywhere convenient like in a park (informal settings) where we could sit down comfortably with the interviewees. iv. Comparison of British and Arab cultures British culture is more inclined to the west whereby most of its people identify with Christianity, which comprises one of its bases in terms of morals and values they adore. These values range from social to political whereby the latter emphasizes more on democracy, which is contrary in majority of Arabian states though presently slowly embracing it due to globalization (Hendriks, 2010). Another aspect comprising British culture encompasses interactions of both sexes ranging from casual to dating and marriage, which is more liberal compared to how Arabs do in their states. Since in London a Briton only needs to go straight to a woman when he approaching her and ask her where a date follows later. This is quite different in the case of Arabic culture whereby one’s responsible mature relatives ought to meet with those of the woman and arrange for marriage. This is due to the value they place on women whereby they are not supposed to be seen with men anyhow if one is not her husband, hence in their native states most of them remain indoors doing chores. In Arabian cultures despite being rampant in numerous states, the interaction of both sexes is extremely limited. This is due to their cultures that are more of religious-based besides demeaning the female gender. Hence, women lack authoritative say in their societies whereby they only assume backstage though this is slowly changing due to westernization. In addition, Arabs similar to Britons who prefer English have one Arabic language evident even in their respective religious texts, which has prompted them some of them especially Somalis fail to fit well in the London. This is evident in the way one of the interviewees (Amal) contended they comprise the lowest paid people and hard hit by unemployment despite coming to London in 1991 when their regime broke up. Part B- Methodology 1. General Research approach Ethnographic Oral interviews were the most effective in acquiring first hand information meant to complete this study as well as present valid facts concerning the impact of culture shock on Arabians (Angrosino & Uwe, 2007). This is because through Ethnographic Oral interviews I was capable of observing participants’ reactions (Angrosino & Uwe, 2007, p. 43). Hence, give me an opportunity to probe much further regarding certain aspects that they exhibit uneasiness when responding though this depends with the mode of approach. Mode of approach in this case encompasses applying my interpersonal skills in such a way to make participants feel free with me. This is contrary to when using questionnaires whereby most of the participants respond to what they think is appropriate thus conceal essential information. 2. Collection methods The mode of interviewing in this case encompassed using stating well-elaborated questions such that interviewees can understand them and answer appropriately. Hence, eliminate the formal atmosphere that may prompt participants into responding to what they think I want to hear. I noted down responses to questions that I presented to the participants but this was after having probed further especially when I saw any uneasiness in responding to some “dark areas” of their experiences regarding culture shock. I did not have any classification of my participants except they had to be over 18 years (Table 1), Arabians and willing for interview. In posing qualitative questions to the interviewees, was in such away each person interviewed he or she would adequately provide responses that will cover all Kalvero Oberg’s 5 stages of culture shock. To contact this task successfully, I allocated at least 2 hours for each interviewee while seated so that I may gather the required information thus took me three days to interrogate 12 people. I spend three days so that I may have at least ample time in between the interview sessions meant to write field notes appropriately (Seale, 2011, p. 221). In addition, some people despite approaching them appropriately showed no interest and declined to be interviewed. 3. Data analysis I used the five questions that aligned with Oberg’s five stages of culture shock, which I had structured before the inception of the interview. The steps I followed include, a) Adding additional field notes to each of the five questions after interviewing, which ensured responses were not scattered in different field notes or confusing (Seale, 2011, p. 221). b) I entered them in an excel sheet for the purpose of comparison and easy alterations when sorting out. c) This encompassed comparing similar responses of interviewees under each question with the intention of crystallizing concrete information. d) Finally, I compiled a clean draft using excel each question having a paragraph that summarizes the interviewees’ responses. Part C – Findings Analysis 1. What were your first cultural encounter once you arrived in London? Was it the same as your home country? Did life in london for the first time compare with your expectations? Many participants contended their encounter with a new culture and in a totally different settings whose climate differed with that of their states, they were very elated (Pedersen, 1995). Since, most of them were students, they in their minds figured how after completion of education will get employed, hence advance their lives. At first, they admitted by observing other successful people whom they mingled with especially fellow Arabs, exactly aligned with what they expected to see before coming to London. As per Oberg’s stages, this all about euphoria whereby an individual seems to be a spectator as he or she explores divergences and idiosyncrasies that characterize the London culture (Brown & Holloway, 2008). 2. How was your life’s experiences after beoming conversant with life in London? All particpants agreed after 2-6 months life took abruptly change where they faced utter reality. Small tasks like using ATMs, visiting supermarkets and even making calls presented a significant challenge to them to the extent of some regretting whether they well ever cope and thrive in London. Since, many especially students and new workers tried their level best to avoid tasks or even volunteering while with other people fearing they might embarrase themselves. Hence, feeling isolated as many of their counterparts seeming to go on with their lives without minding them. This is a risk stage because many due to these experinces while trying to establish their identity experince depression and other emtional disorders. In addition, they develop insomnia as some of them are awake thinking of demoralizing tasks that are ahead of them, which previeous day failed to perform as expected. This is quite a distressing period because one sees locals being unfriendly even finding difficulty with mingling adequately with fellow Arabs. 3. What did you do to cope with the reality/culture shock? Based on the participants‘ responses, it took them approximately 2-6 months before they were used to their current settings. Hence, becoming conversant with the new culture to the extent they can undertake certain tasks with ease including maneuvering in daily life. This is an essential period whereby those who are postive end up overcoming language barrier by slowly learning though it may take sometime. In addition, fondness towards their new settings starts coming back followed by being happy with whom they are, which is gaining confidence that they can thrive in a foreign land. 4. After sometime, were those aspects of the new culture continued to irritate you or what did you do to avoid depressing incidences broght by British culture? Many contended they felt comfortable with their new settings, which was after six months. Since they were capable of undertaking varied tasks with ease and even being bold to ask where they seem not to have any clue. This is a determining stage whereby the few who remain negative end up experincing emotional problems and even hating their immidiate culture. Hence, choose to mingle with whom they seem share same language. 5. What you experinced did it change you in anyway In response to this question, many showed contentment with their immidiate culture to the extent of some start learning about it. This was evident by some taking English classes to advance their proficiency for they will be using it while learning and conversing with otherss. Part D – Discussion The finings relayed in the above section align with what I was expecting. Hence, the research is trustworthy for it aligns with Kalvero Oberg’s categories as well as other studies so far conducted. This is due to the researcher been keen with participants’ responses coupled with expounding of each question for effective understanding. Part E- Conclusion Upon arriving in London, Arabs like any other citizens from diverse global states experience culture shock. However, the period meant to cop with British culture vary significantly depending on individual’s personality though generally adhere to Kalvero Oberg’s 5 phases as confirmed by this study’s responses. Primary Sources - Interviews Table 1: Interviewees’ information Name Date State of origin Sex Age Range Male Female 18-30 30-40 40-50 50> Abubakar 28.11.2014 Egypt ✔ ✔ Aicha 28.11.2014 Morocco ✔ ✔ Shahira 28.11.2014 Egypt ✔ ✔ Faheem 28.11.2014 Oman ✔ ✔ Marouen 29.11.2014 Tunisia ✔ ✔ Ahmed 29.11.2014 Algeria ✔ ✔ Bushra 29.11.2014 Saudi Arabia ✔ ✔ Fatemeh 30.11.2014 Iran ✔ ✔ Amir 30.11.2014 Lebanon ✔ ✔ Suleyman 30.11.2014 Sudan ✔ ✔ Hasan 30.11.2014 Palestine ✔ ✔ Amal 30.11.2014 Somalia ✔ ✔ Secondary sources Angrosino, M. & Uwe, F. (2007) Doing Ethnographic Observational Research, London: Sage Brown, L, & Holloway, I. 2008, The initial stage of the international sojourn: excitement or culture shock?, British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 33-49. Available from: 10.1080/03069880701715689. [4 December 2014]. BusinessDictionary.com, (2014). What is culture shock? definition and meaning. [online] Available at: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/culture-shock.html [Accessed 12 Nov. 2014]. Hendriks, F. (2010). Vital Democracy: A Theory of Democracy in Action. Oxford: Oxford University Press Konradin Medien GmbH, L. (2014). Problem Kulturschock. [online] Wissen.de. Available at: http://www.wissen.de/problem-kulturschock [Accessed 13 Nov. 2014]. Pedersen, P. (1995). The five stages of culture shock. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, Pages 4-8. Seale, C. (2011). Researching society and culture. London, SAGE. Read More