Cultural variations and socio-ecocultural understanding on cross-cultural adaptation

• Published in: Qualitative Report
• Main Author: Rozaimie A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Peace and Conflict Studies 2019
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85076317396&partnerID=40&md5=c462fcec4778f6d3bc93f81573028dc2

Cross-cultural adaptation is a challenging process while sojourning abroad. The inability to understand cultural variation triggers psychological, physical or behavioral difficulties and maladjustment or misunderstanding. Socio-ecocultural underestimation is the root of intercultural resistance, stereotyping, ethnocentrism and racist sentiments among sojourners. Most of the cross-cultural adjustment studies have quantitatively demonstrated factors and predictors of adaptation success. However, the specific forms of cultural variation that impacted sojourning adaptability is blindly explained. Hence, this phenomenological paper autoethnographically observed the socio-ecocultural environment while sojourning in New Zealand. The findings highlighted that cultural awareness and sensitivity assist sojourner's cross-cultural adaptability due to the socio-ecocultural variation. © 2018: Awang Rozaimie and Nova Southeastern University.