M7_MR - Running head 7.3 END OF MODULE REVIEW 7.3 End of...

Running head: 7.3 - END OF MODULE REVIEW 1
7.3 - End of Module Review
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Management of the Multicultural Workforce
MGMT 427
September 19, 2016

7.3 - END OF MODULE REVIEW 2
7.3 - End of Module Review
1. Define culture shock for the foreign employee. Why do people living abroad get
culture shock, but people visiting as tourists usually do not?
According to Ferraro & Briody (2016), culture shock is “the psychological disorientation
experienced by people who suddenly find themselves living and working in radically different
cultural environments” (p. 198). Culture shock is a condition that does not come on quickly or is
caused by a single event and it is a condition that tends to have incidents that build upon one
another. In most cases people on vacation are not in the different culture long enough to notice
any change. Also, when most people travel to different cultures they are staying in hotels that
cater to their culture. When these vacationers are out sightseeing and shopping they do not feel
uncomfortable because these areas are designed to be welcoming to vacationers.
2. Illustrate each of the four stages of culture shock by writing a description of a
hypothetical person experiencing it. What feelings, difficulties, and/or successes can be
expected at each stage?
Bob is a project manager who two years ago had been assigned Japan for a year along
with his family. When he and his family had arrived in Japan they were all excited to have the
opportunity to live in a culture that was different than their own. Their first couple of weeks was
spent unpacking and getting the children into school while Bob was starting his new assignment.
The next couple of weeks after this is when the culture shock started to really set in. The children
were beginning to fall behind in school. When Bob had asked about the language difference in
school before they were assigned he was assured that there would be no problems. Now there