How To Live With An American Culture

Transcription

1 SUCCEEDING IN THE USA Working and Living with Americans Arona Maskil Inter-cultural trainer

2 MOVING TO A NEW CULTURE LANGUAGE MAKING FRIENDS HEALTH INSURANCE NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION BUSINESS ETIQUETTE RELIGION ACADEMIC STRUCTURE NETWORKING SCHOOLS/BABYSITTERS SHOPPING SAFETY PROCESS OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE HOUSING DRESS SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

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4 UNDER THE SURFACE How Israelis see themselves - Informal - Outspoken, direct, honest - Spontaneous, open - Respectful of privacy - Hospitable, warm - Assertive - Flexible about plans and schedules - Creative about rules and regulations - Self-confident - Willing to take risks How Americans see Israelis -Rude, familiar, aggressive -Inconsiderate, tactless -Unprofessional -Dominating, stubborn -Inflexible -Chaotic, unsystematic -Overconfident -Distrustful, cynical -Pushy, undisciplined -Inefficient, sloppy

5 NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION Perception of what people think about you "בישראל תמיד ידעתי מה חושבים עליי..." "קמתי בבוקר, שמתי את החיוך על הפנים...כל היום חייכתי והייתי נחמדה לכולם." Gestures Expressions, Eye contact Personal space (21 inches)

6 HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE? Americans leave their complaints at home. If you made a mistake, you will only know it in hindsight. בישראל אם אתה טועה, יגידו לך את זה בפנים, שם התקשורת לא תמיד ברורה." Interesting Is it good or bad?

7 MAKING FRIENDS The codes of friendships are different, the meaning of being a friend can be confusing. "We should get together soon Have a nice day Americans are very open and friendly but Coming with family vs. single "אני עבדתי 10 שעות ביום במעבדה, "בסוף מתחברים ל- 1-2 סטודנטים זרים ולא מכירה אותם.." "

8 WORK ENVIRONMENT Egalitarian culture Individualism Competitive & Success oriented Bottom line, success counts Goal oriented "אם הייתי צריכה עזרה, בישראל הקולגה שלי היה יושב איתי ומסביר בארה"ב אמרו לי: "תחפש את התשובות באינטרנט"

9 EIGHT RULES OF ETIQUETTE 1. Don t abuse the Reply All feature 2. Be careful with the Bcc 3. Avoid casual cursing - %@$& 4. Don t be lazy about grammar 5. Always respond 6. Watch out for uppercase overkill - YOU ARE YELLING AT SOMEONE 7. Be wary of Attachment overload 8. Signature line

10 WILL I BE HEALTHY? Health Care in the U.S. Private Health Care Deductible/ Co-insurance Exclusions Waiting period Private Maternity Care All pregnancy testing private IVF treatment private Health Care in Israel Social Health Care No deductible No exclusions No waiting period Maternity care through Kupa Most pregnancy testing covered by Kupa IVF treatment public

11 THE U.S. EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM Day Care Pre School Up to age 5 Elementary School Kindergarden-5 th grade Ages 5-10 Middle School 6 th -8 th grades Ages High School 9 th -12 th grades Ages 14-17

12 Adjustment to Life Abroad Emotional Response High (unrealistic) expectations of new culture. Charmed with newness Adaptation enervation Tourist consciousness Daily living requirements Life becomes routine in a place still basically Departure unfamiliar Months 2-4 Month 1 Acceptance of reality (good or bad) of new culture as present home Stop comparing Homesickness can be extreme. Personal and family stress comparisons between home and here ; rejection of on-site culture Months 5 and 6 +

13 WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF MY FAMILY? Spouse adjustment new living conditions, transportation, food, employment. Kids Daycare, Schools, Babysitters, teenagers. I know nothing about the neighborhood, electricity, heat & AC, the kitchen, lease terms, telephone, doctors.

14 PRE-DECISION Visit the university before deciding and ask questions: Describe a typical work day? What equipment does the lab have? Meet the people you will be spending most of your days working with. Compatibility between expectations and goals "חשוב שיהיה אחדות מטרה עם המנחה" "להתחבר למנחה שטרם קיבל קביעות" EducationUSA.state.gov

15 STAY IN THE LOOP The to do list when visiting Israel: Being abroad 1-2 years Share information on your current research and publications Meet Israeli academics at conferences in the U.S. All of the above will help you secure a position upon your return. EducationUSA.state.gov

16 USE YOUR TIME WISELY Network Attend conferences Take advantages of activities on campus Keep a work-life balance Travel Get to know the local culture EducationUSA.state.gov

17 WE DON T SEE THINGS AS THEY ARE WE SEE THINGS AS WE ARE - Anais Nin -