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Steps to Learning a New Culture
Entering and integrating into the culture of your school or service site is like acclimating yourself to a foreign country. There are numerous customs you will need to learn and familiarize yourself with, dealing with everything from schedules to meeting protocols to communication systems. The steps below detail the process of learning a new culture and provide examples of what this might look like in the context of a national service education program. The remainder of this article will look in depth at some of the specific strategies—divided into three phases of integration—that you'll need to navigate this process successfully.
- Observation/instruction: In this phase you are aware of and learning about a particular behavior, but haven't yet tried the behavior yourself. For example, you might observe a school staff meeting and learn how it runs before making a presentation yourself. Another example might be observing teachers and students: How are teachers addressed by children? How do they interact with students and set limits? What systems are in place for students? How do they line up? Go to the drinking fountain? Make the transition between classes?
- Imitation: Now you try the activity yourself, although it may still require some effort and feel somewhat awkward. Perhaps you give an update at a staff meeting, but leave out a key point you want to make because you are concentrating so much on what you plan to say. We often take small missteps during this phase, but the practice pays off.
- Reinforcement: Over time, you begin to feel more at ease. Whether it's chatting with teachers about curriculum in the break room or making your own decisions about what to work on with students, you feel more comfortable in the school environment. Teachers and staff around you applaud your progress and give you guidance when you m ake mistakes.
- Internalization: Gradually, you need less and less reinforcement from those around you. You still have to think about what you're doing—Did I sign in today? Did I remember to adjust my tutoring activities for the assembly schedule?—but not as much as in earlier stages.
- Spontaneous manifestation: Now you are a fully integrated member of the school community. Students and staff see you as a regular fixture, working with children, making meaningful contributions to staff meetings, and attending special events. At this stage, these and other daily routines simply come naturally.
(Adapted from Culture Matters)
 Phase 1: Pre-Entry Strategies: Preparation
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