Cultural Adjustment Process

Adjusting to a new culture is difficult and distressing to people immersed in the process. The effects are more severe for some than for others, depending upon a number of factors such as those in the checklist below.

• Has the person been physically and emotionally healthy in the past?
• Does the cultural influence of the person's native culture encourage attitudes and beliefs which are compatible with the culture here?
• Does the person speak the language?
• Does the person belong to a group or community that shares her ethnicity, and cultural or intellectual leanings?
• Does the person have family here? Does the person have children?
• Is the person's self esteem relatively intact?
• Does the person have a good job, or are her chances of getting one good?
• Does the person generally approve of and like the new culture?
• Does the person think that Canadians like and admire her home culture?
• Is the person able to live near others who have shared similar experiences?
• Has the person found recreational and social outlets here?
• Was the move necessary for survival?
• Was the person exposed to other cultures in her home country?
• Does the host community have a positive attitude towards immigrants?

Dodson, Margaret et al. The English as a Second Language Tutor Training Manual (Regina: The Regina Public Library, 1988.)