INCOMING DEGREE STUDENTS: Cultural Adaptation Diary (4cr)

Objective

After successful completion of this course, students will have consciously dealt with the experience of cultural differences and cultural adaptation during their studies in Finland, and they will have developed self-awareness in intercultural communication.

Content

Participants keep an observation diary during their studies in Finland, writing down their observations about cultural differences between Finnish culture and the culture of their country of origin. These will include analysis of verbal communication styles, aspects of nonverbal communication, questions of social identity, the nature of relationships, societal norms, and values. The diary is to be 8-12 pages long (not counting cover sheet, table of contents, etc., and using standard font size 11). It will be written in English.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail/1-5

Further information

Target Group: This course is only available to international master’s degree students and doctoral students as part of BRIDGE – making career paths smoother for immigrants -project.

Timing: Once every period. Please see Peppi for the next date.

Execution methods

This course requires familiarity with the basic terminology of Intercultural Communication. Attending at least one course in this field (XICP-code) is recommended, but not compulsory. Participants who have not completed courses in Intercultural Communication, will acquaint themselves with basic concepts and terminology of this field using Gallois, Liu, Volčič: Introducing Intercultural Communication (available at the library). Please read chapters 2-9 (without the case studies), and chapter 12 (pages 247-255).

Accomplishment methods

Successful completion will depend on the depth of insight, the informational values of the observations, and the academic level of analysis.