Culture Shock and Adjustment of Japanese Female College Students In & After Study Abroad Program

概要

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This is an observational study to show how female college students perceived American culture and their own culture after their study abroad program. The study involved 29 students, 19 who participated in the 18-month course and 10 who participated in the 5-month course. Their initial reaction to American culture was rather hesitant as they found the communication style often too direct, but they soon made the adjustment and enjoyed conversing with the local people. Amongst other discoveries, the students started asserting their identity and self-assuredness in public and in the classroom. In contrast, on returning home they found a lack of individual contact in public as well as in the classroom. The opportunity they had to experience another culture and contrast it with their own proved worthwhile on the whole. At home, they turned a critical eye on the public for its homogeneity and frenetic pace, so it is possible that spending two years in college in Japan is necessary to shape their social skills before entering the work force. Lastly, the author suggests fostering in Japan the more autonomous learning style the students appear to have started developing during their stay in Boston.
昭和女子大学の論文
2009-04-01