Communicating and Adapting Across Cultures: Living and Working in the Global Village / Edition 1

by Riall Nolan

Overview

Today, more Americans than ever are going abroad to visit, work, or study. Increasingly, the ability to communicate and work in cross-cultural situations is seen as an important determinant of success in business, government, education, and the social services. Being successful depends less on what you know of a particular culture than it does on what you know about managing new cultural situations.

This book provides a comprehensive and practical guide to communicating, learning, and adapting within any new cultural environment. It begins by examining what culture is and why it is important. It then goes on to outline the process of cross-cultural adjustment, and presents some highly effective tools and strategies for avoiding culture shock, while encouraging learning. Advice on learning a language, preparing for the transition, settling in, working and living overseas, and planning re-entry into U.S. culture is given. One of the book's most useful features is the presentation of a detailed plan for actually making the transition from one culture to another. It also provides a detailed chapter on re-entering the home environment, again to aid in minimizing shock and anxiety. The skills learned from this book are essential to success and can be put to use in any new culture, anywhere in the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780897896603
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/30/1999
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.56(d)
Lexile:	1130L (what's this?)

About the Author

RIALL W. NOLAN is Associate Provost at the University of Cincinnati, and Director of the Institute for Global Studies and Affairs./e He is an anthropologist and international development specialist. He has lived and worked overseas for nearly twenty years. His published writing includes both fiction and non-fiction.

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Cultural Basis of Difference
Encountering Difference
Communication and Culture
Verbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Learning a Language I: Making Decisions
Learning a Language II: On Your Own
Planning Your Transition
Gathering Information
Getting Ready
Making the Crossing
At Home
At Work
More Language
Coming Home
Appendix I: Checklist for Planning a Transition
Appendix II: Resources for Further Learning
Works Cited
Index

Editorial Reviews

Gives conceptual background and concrete advice on making a major transition from one culture to another. Describes what culture is and why it is so important, outlines processes and strategies of cross- cultural adjustment, and describes essentials of communicating across cultures, looking at both language and non-verbal communication. Provides a plan for making a transition, with advice on preparing, coping strategies, and culture shock. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

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