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HOME EVENTS CONTACT LINKS BLOG 1: Introduction October 16, 2014 AIT Guidebook Flemming Funch COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Published by the AIT International Club, © 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from the publisher, except for reading and browsing via the World Wide Web. Users are not permitted to mount these files on any network servers. Browsers may copy information for personal use only. Reproduction for commercial purposes is expressly forbidden. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~.~. ~. ~. ~. ~.~. ~. ~. ~. ~.~. ~. ~. ~. ~.~. ~. ~. ~. ~.~. ~. ~. ~ Welcome to “THE AIT GUIDEBOOK”, an English-language guide published by the Americans-in- Toulouse International Club (AIT). Who we are: The AIT is a non-profit, English-speaking expatriate service and social organization, run exclusively by volunteers, that welcomes families, couples and individuals of all nationalities, living in or visiting the Toulouse area, whatever the length of their stay. The AIT fosters friendships, offers support and exchanges useful information for anyone relocating or contemplating relocation to or from the Toulouse area, in order to ease their assimilation into a new country, city, language and culture. Our goal is to help each individual enjoy to the fullest their host community as well as to provide educational, social, and cultural experiences from both the home and host countries. The purpose and objective of this book is to provide useful information about France and the French way of life to English-speaking visitors and soon-to-be residents of the Toulouse and its surrounding areas. There is so much to see, learn and explore. It truly is an adventure. Enjoy it! Editor’s Note: The information contained herein is subject to change and may not apply in all situations. Any matters concerning civil or legal rights, or actions, should be referred to the appropriate legal counsel. The information contained is alterable as new rules and regulations may apply. Thank you in advance for your comprehension. We encouraged all to submit further information and changes. Please submit it by email to “president(at)americansintoulouse.com” (insert at-sign), where it will be gathered awaiting further updates. A bit of history: Americans-In-Toulouse, the club’s original name, began in 1987 when a group of North American women living in the Toulouse area decided to meet regularly for friendship, to exchange information about living in France and to make an American quilt. These same women were the authors of the first edition of the club’s reference book La Trec to Toulouse. (Playing on the name of the famous artist, Toulouse-Lautrec.) In 1992, a more formal structure was implemented. Meeting dates were selected in advance, information of planned activities was communicated to the group through a monthly newsletter and a membership directory was distributed. A committee was formed to prepare the club to become a French-chartered non-profit association. The first AIT Annual All Member Meeting was held on 20 June 1994. The paperwork, charter and by-laws were presented to the Prefecture of Toulouse, which approved them on 23 June 1994. In 2007, due to the fact that the Club’s success had developed an international membership, the name of the Club was changed to “AIT International Club”, or AIT. Today members continue to support each other by sharing information through our Club. It is in this spirit that our association will continue to be an important part of the Toulouse experience for newcomers and veterans alike. Many thanks due: A heartfelt thanks go out to those who contributed their time and talents towards the founding of AIT, and to those who are continuing the successful tradition. And, a very special thanks to those members who initiated this book dedicating their time and effort over the years to its success by updating its content. The AIT is constituted under French law: Association Loi 1901 – Association #25353 ← 2: Culture Shock AIT Guidebook 1: Introduction 2: Culture Shock 3: France & Toulouse 4: Preparing to Move 5: Housing 6: Utilities & Television 7: Telephone & Internet 8: Motor Vehicles 9: Public Transportation 10: Taxes & Legal 11: Banking 12: Postal System 13: Medical & Healthcare 14: Pregnancy 15: Schools & Education 16: University & Adult Learning 17: Pets 18: Shopping & Household 19: Food & Dining 20: Gifts 21: Crime & Police 22: Beauty & Haircare 23: Leisure 24: Sports 25: Travel 26: Embassies & Consulates 27: Reference Material Proudly powered by WordPress HOME EVENTS CONTACT LINKS BLOG 2: Culture Shock October 16, 2014 AIT Guidebook Flemming Funch Once settled, life can finally return to normal. Left behind are frantic weeks of packing and unpacking, long hours on airplanes, stress, fatigue and the inevitable house hunting. After this most tedious phase of transition is past, the pleasures of life of France can begin. This will be an exciting time, filled with newness, change, and the ever-important necessity of adjusting to a new culture. Being aware of this “process of adjustment” can help ensure that a stay in France will be enriched by cultural differences, rather than overwhelmed by them.To understand culture shock, or the adjustment to a new culture, is to first realize that much of our own behavior is culturally bound and not individually initiated. Like the mother tongue one speaks, one’s own culture is learned gradually, first as a child and subsequently over a long period of time. The way to do things was often the way “they” did things, a learning and internalization process that is forgotten, as it occurred so long ago. However, when suddenly uprooted from one’s own culture and beginning life in a new one, one thing that quickly becomes evident is that “things are sure done differently here from the way they are done at home!” This is the initial step of culture shock, which will lead eventually to cultural awareness. Culture shock was first defined in the 1960’s by Dr. Kalervo Oberg , an anthropologist who stated that culture shock is initiated by “the anxiety that results from losing familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse.” Dr. Oberg went on to define six aspects of cultural shock: 1. Strain due to the effort required to make necessary psychological adaptations. 2. A sense of loss and feelings of deprivation regarding friends, family, status, career and possessions. 3. Being rejected by and/or rejecting members of the new culture. 4. Confusion in role, role expectation, values, feelings and self-identity. 5. Surprise, anxiety and even disgust and indignation after becoming aware of cultural differences. 6. Feelings of impotence due to not being able to cope with a new environment. From this definition of cultural shock, Oberg developed a six-month model, which is still in use today. Basically, the model defines one’s behavior in terms of activities, attitudes, emotions and physical responses associated with each month of a six-month time frame, although the cycle or parts of it can be repeated at any time with a variety of reactions and time periods. The following is a typical six-month cycle of culture schock adapted from Culture Shock! France by Sally Adamson Taylor: • Pre-Departure: Defined by excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm. Planning and packing along with farewells are key activities. Emotions are running high and although excited, everyone is also a bit apprehensive and concerned. • First Month: still filled with the excitement of travel and newness of food, culture and environment. Learning the language becomes a priority. Some may experience a condition called crise de foie as a result of too much rich butter, cream and fat in the diet. • Second Month: distinguished by the awareness of differences being felt as unpleasant. Inconveniences in accomodation, not speaking the language well enough to be understood and the lack of familiarity of foods, shops, friends and surroundings are noticed. Colds, flu and weight gain can be consequences of these stresses. • Third Month: often the low point in the adjustment period. Language skills seem to stagnate and personal productivity drops. Nothing about the French people seems positive and all the negative generalizations seem to be true. Family and friends are greatly missed, as is the routine at home. Extreme fatigue and sometimes illness are frequent at this time. • Fourth and Fifth month: the beginning of the return of enthusiasm and enjoyment of friends and the French. New foods, new ways of doing things and the language are tried with a positive effect. Emotions are smoother, confidence is regained and built upon, and health is restored. • Sixth Month: brings normal lifestyle, with established routines and social life in place. Traveling locally has begun. The ups and downs of living abroad are accepted and thus you are now able to help others in similar circumstances. Normality, indeed, has finally smiled on you once again! Although everyone does not follow this cycle, an overwhelming majority does. The advantages of being aware of this cycle are that you will be easier on yourself, your friends and family members, when you or they are experiencing a new period, because of the change in culture. You can also be a great help in explaining things to others who may not understand what they are experiencing. It is important to remember that certain aspects of culture shock can be triggered at any time, and are not necessarily limited to the initial six-month period following relocation. What are the causes of culture shock? • Being cut off from cultural signals and known patterns of communication, especially the subtle, indirect ways of expressing feelings. • Living or working over an extended period of time in a situation that is ambiguous. • Having personal values (which were previously considered absolutes) brought into question.
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