Wha Gwan - Jamaica Maan

Good Morning all from Kingston, Jamaica My morning meeting just got postponed so I thought I would take the extra time to tell you a bit about my adventures rather than get to my pile of work. I arrived last week for a conference on exchange programs put on by a commonwealth group. It was interesting to hear international perspectives on internationalization in education. To this point, I had learned about it at conferences in Canada but now I had the opportunity to learn from practitioners from the Caribbean, Africa, Australia and the UK. Learned lots. Funny note - met a Mr. Burns (Simpson's) lookalike. Excellent!

The conference took place at the University of the West Indies Mona campus in Kingston, which is stunning. We have a solid exchange program with them that sees York students come here to study and vice versa. It was very interesting to see where our students end up and the good hands and hearts that take care of them. If you have ever thought about doing an exchange program, DO IT! The key is to remember that you are having an education in the host country, not a York education overseas. If you can see how that is a positive addition to your education, you are a good candidate.

While in Jamaica I was really lucky to be able to stay on and do a site visit to where Alissa and Evelyn are working up in Mandeville. The loverly ladies did a great job hosting me, keeping me amused, fed, watered and very happy. Mandeville is a nice and cool small city up in the hills that is relatively quiet. We toured about to a lovely look out point called Lover's Leap and down to Alligator Pond for an amazing fish meal at Little Ochie's - a must for a true Jamaican experience. Yesterday I went to where the ladies work and met their colleagues. They are doing some amazing work with truly dedicated people. I am so pleased that they are getting so much out of the experience and that the partner organization is also getting alot out of the experience. For me this is a successful internship.

Back in Kingston for a day of meetings. The city has a pretty rough edge that precludes me from doing any exploring on my own. Sigh. I'm listening to CBC radio right now as my friend is being interviewed by Shelagh Rogers on Sounds Like Canada. He isn't on yet but it should be worth a giggle. One love people!

Assignment #4 - The shock of Culture

Most of you have been at your placement for a little while, settled in and indeed found a groove to your regular day. Things aren't so foreign any more. People look more familiar. The accents are easier to understand or the language is more intelligible. You don't get lost on a daily basis and don't have the need to carry a map around with you all the time. You don't have to do quick arithmetic to figure out how much things cost in Canadian dollars as it makes sense in the local currency now. You have figured out what you are doing at work and who to go to when you need assistance. Life seems pretty sweet.

As all these chips start to fall into position, it is also important to note this is the time culture shock can sneak up on you. Your honeymoon is ending, you and your internship are settling into a nice marriage. Suddenly, the seven year itch appears. You are a little bit more touchy than usual. Perhaps you feel blue for no particular reason. You are eating like a cow and drinking like a fish. Sleep seems to be the only respite you get and you are either doing alot of it or not getting enough. Your focus is waning. The little things that you found charming about the culture, like how no one lines up and just pushes their way onto the bus, suddenly piss you off to no end. This my friends is culture shock.

I believe that everyone experiences culture shock from one degree to another. Some interns who are in the far flung destinations may experience it intensely but even the three of you in Ottawa will likely have some pangs. The first step in dealing with culture shock is admitting you have it. Once you recognize that it is you that is having the issue, not the rest of the population, you can figure out ways to deal with it. It is not a sign of weakness or an inability to adapt. It is a normal part of the process.

This is what I would like you to blog on for assignment four. Tell us how culture shock has manifested itself and what you are doing to deal with it. I remember when I moved last year from a small town in Niagara to Toronto, I had culture shock. No one made eye contact, people drove aggressively, there was alot of pushing at the subway. I thought, jeez Torontonians sure are mean and tough. Then I thought, have I made the right decision to pick up my life and move? Then I got sad and called everyone in Niagara. Than I thought man, did I ever soften up when I was in Niagara. Then I got out there and started enjoying the city, seeing old friends, reading NOW magazine, going to theatre productions, all those good things that Toronto has to offer. To be sure, I moved an entire 150km and I experienced culture shock.

So lay it on me. Tell me what is going on and how you are handling it. This is where checking out each other's blogs is going to be helpful and hopefully cathartic as you read about others experiencing similar challenges.