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The wonders of culture shock
By Daisy Ye |
January 30, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WHEN I was learning English as a student, I heard the phrase "culture shock." I did not foresee then I would eventually work in an international school for what is now six years. However, the fact is that ever since I started my work at Shanghai Community International School, I have been diving into a cultural melting pot.
I still remember how stressed my first few months were during my first year of teaching. I was learning how to work with foreign students while trying to understand what worked best.
Whenever it was time to attend a staff meeting, it felt like I was taking the TOEFL test again. Surrounded by English speakers with different accents, not to mention the unfamiliar expressions and professional phrases, sometimes I wished that I had been a better English student.
According to Chinese people, "silence is gold," but I knew then, it would not be good advice. I needed to stop saving face by pretending I knew. The exciting thing was that my English-speaking colleagues were very patient if I asked for clarification or did not use proper English. They helped me out and gave me tons of good advice and teaching tips.
This is a place that I experience culture shock almost everyday, but I enjoy melting in this pot and have much more to learn.
I still remember how stressed my first few months were during my first year of teaching. I was learning how to work with foreign students while trying to understand what worked best.
Whenever it was time to attend a staff meeting, it felt like I was taking the TOEFL test again. Surrounded by English speakers with different accents, not to mention the unfamiliar expressions and professional phrases, sometimes I wished that I had been a better English student.
According to Chinese people, "silence is gold," but I knew then, it would not be good advice. I needed to stop saving face by pretending I knew. The exciting thing was that my English-speaking colleagues were very patient if I asked for clarification or did not use proper English. They helped me out and gave me tons of good advice and teaching tips.
This is a place that I experience culture shock almost everyday, but I enjoy melting in this pot and have much more to learn.
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