Transcript Exchange Information Session

Pre-departure Workshop – April 9, 2014
for Study/Research/Athletics/Volunteer (SRAV) Activities Abroad
Kadoorie-Hong Kong – June 2-29, 2014
Dr. Sal Renshaw, Faculty Facilitator and Course Professor
 Kadoorie volunteer overview and job descriptions
 Visas for Hong Kong
Karen Strang, Director, International Initiatives Office
 Ambassadorship
 Risk & Responsibility (Waiver, Health & Medical Treatment)
 www. voyage.gc.ca (travel report, ROCA, country insight)
 GuardMe Insurance (GlobalGuard out-of-country emergency health insurance,
trip cancellation and baggage insurance)
 Immunizations – Travax Report
 Checklist, Flight Details, Kadoorie costs
 Simulation, Intercultural Activity
 Culture shock & coping strategies
Q&A
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
Kadoorie Volunteer Information
Kadoorie Volunteer Application
Participating at your own risk
Attendance
Travel to and from work site
Areas of Volunteer Work you will engage in, JDs:
Live Educational Displays
Mule
Veterinary
Wild Animal Rescue Centre
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
GEND 3056
Sanctuary and Salvation: Saving, Protecting
and conserving Animals in a Global World
GEND3056 course = 3 NU credits
-ensure you are registered
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
AMBASSADORSHIP
You will be an ambassador for Nipissing University, North Bay, your home community,
Ontario, Canada and “Me to We” while abroad.
So ensure you are informed and ready to represent your home country, and be open
minded to learn about your host country!
Keep informed about Canada
www.gc.ca
Get informed about your destination
Via country insights -Centre for Intercultural Learning
http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/countryinsights-apercuspays-eng.asp
International Initiatives Office (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada
• www.gc.ca
• www.thecommonwealth.org/
• http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/fun-facts/
International Initiatives Office (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
Risk and Responsibility
 You are choosing to take part in this international sojourn
 Understand that with these amazing experiences you are exposing yourself to risks and dangers
BE AWARE/INFORMED
 Know that you are taking full responsibility for yourself while abroad (excursions, trips, etc.)
 You will not hold Nipissing University and/or any of its employees liable for your actions
 You are responsible for reviewing all of the information
• Checklist (handout) weblinks, resources
 Complete and submit all the required forms (by Thurs. April 17, 2014, submit to Karen Strang)
• Waiver of Claims and Release from Liability
• Health/Medical Form
• Agreement to Participate
• Copy of your Passport (if not already submitted to K Strang)
 FINAL Payment $1963.00 due: April 17, 2014
 Risk Assessment & Emergency Planning Record
Risk Management Protocol (contacts in case of emergency – NU, onsite, supervisors, embassies)
International Initiatives Office (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
Risk and Responsibility
TRIP SPECIFIC INFORMATION to enter in these forms:
Waiver of Claims and Release from Liability
Health/Medical Form
Participation Agreement ✔
DESTINATION: Hong Kong
SRAV LOCATION: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
DATES OF ACTIVITIES: June 2-29, 2014
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
DFATD Canada
Essential Information for Canadians Abroad
Go to: http://travel.gc.ca/ and click on “Travelling Abroad” to access:
 Advisories
 Travel Health and Safety
 Travel Documents
 Air Travel
 Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) – Karen does this for our group trips
 Living Abroad
 Publications (e.g. Bon Voyage, But…, Her Own Way, Dual Citizenship)
International Initiatives Office (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
Why is Global Guard
the mandatory
out-of country health
insurance plan?
Other Insurance Plans:
 Restrictions (age, activity, country, length of trip, etc…)
 Pre-existing condition clauses, exclusions
 Reimbursement plans – most do not pay up front
 Will return you home as soon as they can
 Repatriation, air evacuation, prescriptions, family support, etc…
 Leverage & support (partnership between NU & GlobalGuard)
Travel Healthcare Insurance Solutions Inc. (T.H.I.S.)
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
GlobalGuard Travel Health Insurance
GlobalGuard Complete details:
 Rates on Premiums chart
 Coverage – departure and arrival dates back in Canada
 Can extend coverage from outside of Canada (if travelling beyond group trip)
 100% coverage of eligible claims
 Worldwide coverage from time of departure (layover)
 90 day extension upon return to Canada
 Easy payment system & claim (credit card)
How to apply:
 Complete the Nipissing U “on-line” application on the GuardMe web site
 Refer to instruction sheet
To make a claim go to: www.guard.me
 Follow instructions
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
FLIGHT DETAILS
Air Canada
flight # 15
depart Toronto
at 9:50am
on Mon. June 2
arrive Hong Kong
at 1:15pm
on Tues. June 3
Air Canada
flight # 16
depart Hong Kong
3:10pm
on Sun. June 29
arrive Toronto
at 6:10pm
on Sun. June 29
Kadoorie payments
(due April 17, 2014)
26 nights @ $75.50 CAD/person/night = $1963.00
(540 HKD/night)
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
CHECKLIST
1. Complete the sections of personal information on the on-line My International database
https://myinternational.nipissingu.ca/myinternational
WebAdvisor Username & Password
- Ensure your next-of-kin contacts will be available during your sojourn. Insert your departure
- Input your departure and return dates (June 2-29, 2014) and specify Kadoorie in text box.
2. Purchase Guardme Completely Canada emergency health and travel insurance (on-line using
instructions provided by K. Strang).
3. Provide your passport photo page to Karen Strang.
4. Paid your first two installments for the trip to the NU Student Finance Office.
Pay your final payment of $1963.00 due April 17, 2014 for the Kadoorie component of the trip.
5. Complete the last 2 required NU forms and submit to Karen Strang by 4:00pm on April 17, 2014
“Waiver of Claims and Release of Liability”
“Personal Health / Emergency Treatment Authorization”
6.
Ensure all your immunizations are complete (as per Travex Reports for Hong Kong)
7. Make 2 sets of photocopies of your passport, any medication prescriptions, and any banking or
credit cards you are bringing with you. Leave one copy at home with one of your next-of-kin contacts,
and bring the other copy with you as well as your originals.
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
Intercultural Skill Competency Development
-learn as much as you can about the new environment, culture and
traditions of the people with whom you’ll interact
-engage with the local people and ask questions in a thoughtful
manner
-be aware of your own cultural norms and traditions, and behaviours
-be open and flexible to learning new ways of doing things
-review the following pages that discuss cultural development and in
particular deal with concepts of culture shock upon entry and reverse
culture shock that you may experience upon return home
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
Inherited and learned
Specific to an individual
Personality
What makes each
of us unique
Specific to a group
Learned
Culture
What makes some of us
different from others
Universal
Human Nature
Inherited
What makes us all the same
References: - Hofstede, G. (2001)
- UBC Intercultural Training and Resource Centre
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
The visual aspects are what you can see
(above the surface) :
Above the surface you
can see the visible
characteristics of
culture. Like a tree the
core traits (like the tree
trunk) will remain the
same but some features
can change over time
(like the leafs).
• Body language and gestures
• Architecture and design
• Food and eating habits
• Fashion and style
• Music, dance and drama
• Religious rituals and buildings
• Fine arts and literature
• Historical buildings and artifacts
• Etc…
The deeper aspects of culture are what
you cannot see (below the surface) :
Under the surface, the
deeply rooted aspects of
culture (like the tree
roots) are not readily
visible. These
characteristics are more
difficult to discover. The
core values and beliefs
(roots) defines a
particular society (holds
up the tree and allow it
to grow stronger).
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
• Religious beliefs
• Work ethic
• Decision making patterns
• Approaches to problem solving
• Roles in relation to age, gender and status
• Notion of respect
• Family relationships
• Etc…
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension
Power Distance (PD):
Reflects the degree to which a culture believes how institutional and
organizational power should be distributed (equally or unequally) and how the
decision of the power holder should be viewed (challenged or accepted).
Uncertainty Avoidance (UA):
Reflects the degree to which a culture feels threatened by ambiguous,
uncertain situation and tries to avoid (or not) uncertainty by establishing
structures.
Individualism – Collectivism (IND):
Reflects the degree to which a culture relies upon and has allegiance (loyalty)
to the self or group (“I” or “We”).
Masculinity – Femininity (MAS):
How cultural groups value such behaviors as assertiveness, achievement,
acquisition of wealth or caring for others social support and the quality of life.
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
Culture Shock Acculturation Cycle
High
Honeymoon
Honeymoon
Low
Adjustment
Adjustment
Mood
Culture Shock
Reverse Culture Shock
While
Abroad
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
Back
Home
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
The Honeymoon Phase
Factors that lead to culture shock:
• First few days or weeks
• Fascination with new surroundings
• Feel excited
• Challenges start to occur
• Comparison of cultures (host vs. home)
• Experience at different time than colleagues
• Part of acculturation process
• Recognition and admittance
Honeymoon
Honeymoon
High
Adjustment
Adjustment
Mood
Culture shock
Reverse Culture Shock
Low
While
Abroad
Back
Home
• Language barriers
• Racial discrimination
• Change of weather
• Separation from home
• New food and dietary restrictions
• Money and finances
• Diminished social interactions
• Change of status and level of academic
success
• Loss of point of reference/familiarity
• Felling incompetent in the new environment
• Experiencing a daily re-learning process
• Making sense of other’s behaviors
• Different educational system (intensity and
delivery)
• Academic differences (resources, essay
writing and referencing, critical thinking,
participation, etc…
• Behaviors do not give the desired results
• Facing different values, attitudes and beliefs
• Facing the unpredictable (fear of the
unknown)
Culture Shock
•
Required to make adjustments to adapt to new
environment
•
Everyday actions, behviours and tasks require
more effort and concentration
•
Physical, emotional and mental implications
•
Severity of culture shock and symptoms vary
•
Self identification and understanding
•
Awareness of personal health, feelings and
emotion is essential in seeking advice or
assistance
Symptoms of Culture Shock:
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•
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High
Homesickness
Sleeplessness and being overly tired
Physical illnesses (lower immune system)
Loss of ability to work or study effectively
Overeating or loss of appetite
Identity confusion
Disorientation
Low moral and/or self-esteem
Helplessness, loneliness and fear
Withdrawing from people who are different
Social isolation
Hostility and anger and irritability
Anxiety and/or stress
Depression
Alcohol and drug abuse
Mental/emotional disorders
Honeymoon
Honeymoon
Adjustment
Adjustment
Mood
•
There are support options
Culture shock
Reverse Culture Shock
Low
While
Abroad
Back
Home
The Adjustment Phase
•
Culture Shock will pass and you will experience the adjustment phase
•
Having a positive attitude and an open mind assist in developing relationships with others
•
Start to accept the host culture, values, customs and norms
•
Everyday tasks become easier and more enjoyable
•
Start to view host culture as simply different and you begin to embrace this
•
Anxiety decreases
•
Start to feel as part of the host culture
High
Honeymoon
Honeymoon
Adjustment
Adjustment
Mood
Culture shock
Reverse Culture Shock
Low
While
Abroad
Back
Home
Key Factors Important in a Successful Intercultural Adjustment
Open Mindedness: Ability to keep opinions flexible and be receptive to new stimuli.
Sense of Humor: In another culture there are many things which lead one to weep, get angry, be annoyed,
embarrassed, or discouraged. The ability to laugh off things will help guard against despair.
Ability to Cope with Failure: Everyone fails at something overseas. Persons who go overseas are often
those who have been the most successful in their home environments and have rarely experienced failure,
thus, may have never developed ways of coping with failure.
Communicativeness: The ability and willingness to communicate one's feelings and thoughts to others,
verbally or non-verbally.
Flexibility and Adaptability: The ability to respond to or tolerate the ambiguity of new situations. Keeping
options open and judgmental behavior to a minimum describes an adaptable or flexible person.
Curiosity: Demonstrated the desire to know about other people, places, ideas, etc… This skill or
personality trait is important for travelers because they need to learn many things in order to adapt to their
new environment.
Positive and Realistic Expectations: It has been shown frequently that there are strong correlations
between positive expectations for an intercultural experience and successful adjustment overseas.
Reference: http://www.worldwide.edu/travel_planner/culture_adjusting.html
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4105
Key Factors Important in a Successful Intercultural Adjustment (continued)
Tolerance for Differences and Ambiguities: A sympathetic understanding for beliefs or practices differing
from one's own is important to successful intercultural adjustment.
Positive Regard for Others: The ability to express warmth, empathy, respect, and positive regard for other
persons.
A Strong Sense of Self... A clear, secure feeling about oneself results in individuals who are neither weak
nor overbearing in their relations with others. Persons with a strong sense of themselves stand up for what
they believe but do not cling to those beliefs regardless of new information, perspectives, or understandings
which they may encounter.
Admit frankly that these impacts exist. It is not a sign of weakness to admit that you feel uncomfortable,
tense or confused.
Learn the rules of living in your host country. Try to understand how and why the local people act the
way they do. Their behaviours and customs may be different from your own, but they are neither better nor
worse than what you are used to.
Take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise and take the time to sleep. Limit alcohol consumption to moderate
amounts.
Travel. Take the time to be a tourist and explore the country’s sights.
Reference: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/living/culture_shock-en.asp
Take time to learn the language. It always helps to understand as much as possible of what people are
saying. They will appreciate your effort to communicate with them in their language, even if it is just a few
simple phrases, and it will make your daily life much easier. Carry a small notebook and jot down a
couple of new words each day. Use a phrase book to learn the vocabulary you need to cope with real-life
situations.
Make friends and develop relationships. Getting to know local people will help you overcome cultural
differences and understand the country. It will also show you how to be more sensitive to cultural norms
and expectations.
Maintain contact with friends and family back home. Writing home about your experiences and
problems can help you sort through them. It is also a good idea to keep a journal of your feelings and
thoughts.
Do something that reminds you of home. Listening to your favourite music or practising a familiar
hobby can boost your spirits when you are feeling homesick.
Avoid idealizing life back home. Try to make the most of your stay and consciously adopt an open
mind.
Get involved in some aspect of the new culture. Whether you study art or music, or learn a new sport
or martial art, being an interested student will make a world of difference.
Reference: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/living/culture_shock-en.asp
Reverse Culture Shock
•
Typically more difficult to deal with then culture shock while abroad
•
Honeymoon stage – excited to return home
•
Disappointment with lack of enthusiasm and understanding of your experience
•
Being to miss your friends you made while abroad
•
Re-questioning of aspects of your life (personal identity, relationships)
•
Similar culture shock systems
•
Learn to utilize the skills, knowledge and competencies gained while abroad
High
Honeymoon
Honeymoon
Adjustment
Adjustment
Mood
Culture shock
Reverse Culture Shock
Low
While
Abroad
Back
Home
Key Factors Important in the Re-Entry Adjustment
• Keep in touch with the friends you made abroad
• Create a photo album and/or a scrapbook with your pictures, comments and highlights. It will be
a great keepsake as well as a useful and interesting resources to share with others when talking
about your experiences
• Start planning your next educational experience abroad and/or backpacking trip
• Make presentations to other students at your institution about your experiences overseas
• Talk to students going abroad and/or returning from abroad (they are the ones who will be the
most interested in hearing your stories and adventures
• Refresh your portfolio and resume to include your international experiences as well as the skills,
knowledge and competencies that you gained
• Get involved on campus and/or with your international office
• Take part in a peer-mentorship program or start up this kind of initiative if it does not exist at your
institution
• Think about how your experiences have impacted your academic and/or professional career
goals and make some adjustments if necessary. Talk with an academic advisor and/ or career
councilor.
• If you are experiencing major reverse culture shock symptoms talk to your International Student
Advisor, counsellor, family and/or friends.
Nipissing International Initiatives (F308B)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
-
(705) 474-3450 x4105
Pre-departure Session:
BEd. P.T. International Placements
KADOORIE – Hong Kong
CONTACT INFORMATION
FACULTY FACILITATOR:
- Dr. Sal Renshaw
Cell Phone
x4427 [email protected]
+ 705 498 7616
On-line Application,
Health & Risk Management,
Insurance,
Payments:
- Karen Strang
x 4105 [email protected]
office location F308B
24/7 Emergency Telephone 1 705 498 9236
Nipissing International Office (A201)
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www.nipissingu.ca/international
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(705) 474-3450 x4540