SOCIAL AWARENESS PROJECT2013

EFFECTIVE ADJUSTMENT IN A

NEW ENVIRONMENT

Perhaps the most difficult part about moving to a new environment is that you have to adjust to

living in a whole new place with different kinds of people, friends and activities.

In order to adjust to living in a new environment, you must be willing to

spend some time meeting new people and becoming an active member in the

area.

“HAPPINESS COMES FROM… SOME

CURIOUS ADJUSTMENT TO LIFE. “

HUGH WALPOLE

STRATEGIES THAT YOU CAN ADOPT TO EFFECTIVELY ADJUST IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT The best way to adjust to living in a new

environment is to Introduce Yourself to your classmates and other bunch of people around you.

Take the time to visit a few surrounding classes. Your introduction can be brief; there’s no need to run by your whole life story.

KNOWING THE NEW PLACE

One should try to be enthusiastic to know the new place.

That can be done by : Talking to people as much as possible. Attending various orientation programs not just of

your own program course but try to know about other courses as well.

Try out new things.

GETTING AROUND CAMPUS

It is also a good idea to spend time learning your way around campus and the community.

ORIENTATION

Make sure that you arrive in time for Orientation.

This will give you time to ease into your new environment before classes begin.

Orientation will provide valuable information about studying in the college, including the culture, norms.

You will also learn important things about your college, such as what is expected of you as a student and how the University works.

Orientation also gives you an opportunity to meet other students who are probably feeling as excited and nervous as you are.

ADJUSTING TO A NEW ENVIRONMENT

It will take time to get used to different ways of doing things and to develop a new network of support.

You will find new friends, perhaps a teacher, a community member or a flat mate who you can talk to and seek advice.

INCASE YOU ARE SHARING ROOM WITH SOMEONE, BUILD A GOOD RAPPORT WITH THAT PERSON.

If you are feeling homesick or experience difficulty adjusting to a new way of life, it can be helpful to talk about it with someone.

It is comforting to be able to talk to a friend and share your experiences.

CULTURAL SHOCK

When you leave home to go and live somewhere else, you naturally take your own personality and cultural ways with you.

When you arrive in a new country/region with a different culture, you can experience a wide variety of feelings and reactions.

For example, you may feel confused, nervous, irritable, uncertain and dependent on others.

If you do experience these things, then you are probably experiencing culture shock.

For example, coming to Australia from another country certainly exposes you to many new things: the buildings look different and so does the landscape, the food is not what you are used to and the people look, speak and act differently from the people at home

You may not be able to speak with other people as confidently.

If you feel lonely, you may miss your family and friends more than you expected.

LISTEN, OBSERVE AND KEEP AN OPEN MIND

Try to listen carefully to what people are saying and observe their body language closely.

In other words, concentrate on both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques.

If some of these non-verbal signals are insulting in your culture, don't take it personally. For example, smiling when you are introduced to someone may be a sign of respect in your culture; in Australia, if someone does not smile in this situation, it does not necessarily mean that he or she is not respectful.

Everyone can be proud of and comfortable with their own cultural background. An Open Mind and awareness of difference can help us to respect each other and learn from each other.

KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR 

It is very likely that you will make mistakes as you explore a new culture. If you laugh at some of these mistakes it will help you to learn, adapt and enjoy the experience.

ANXIETY AND FRUSTRATION

Learning to function effectively in a new culture is not easy.

Meanings in Cross-cultural situations are often unclear.

This can be stressful because you are not sure what others expect of you or what you can expect of them.

In these situations it is natural to feel anxious and frustrated.

Your sense of humor and openness will also help. As you gain greater understanding of the new culture you can expect the level of stress to diminish.

BECOME INVOLVED

Remember, the more you put into the experience, the more you will learn from it.

Try to make an effort to meet people, form friendships, and get involved in recreational activities,eg :

Sports Library Student Union Clubs Faculty Associations Cinema and learn about others and their culture.

BOOKS ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS !!!

VISIT LIBRARY AS…COMPLETING WORK GIVES YOU SATISFACTION.

STUDY TOGETHER !

A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF

ADJUSTMENT IS…

TEAMWORK

CONCLUSION

Therefore, in a nutshell, here are some simple steps :

Introduce yourself Knowing the new place Getting around campus Orientation Talk to everyone Coping with culture shock Listen and observe Keep an open mind Keep your sense of humor Become involved Teamwork

THANK YOU !