Identity Change In American Culture

An opening to another culture, another place, leads you to not only become more culturally competent and have a wider global perspective, but it encourages one to critique parts of their own culture. As a result of the 4 months of distance, the salience of their national identity probably transformed in their host country as they reflected more about personal qualities which defined them as individuals, rather than membership in a national group (Savicki & Cooley, 2011, p. 347). With limited ways to reinforce national identity, individuals including myself were driven to be critical of how they conform to American ideals. The emergence of new norms and rituals leads to the co-presence of different cultures within one’s self-construction. Evaluation …show more content…
Having these feelings of discomfort and unpleasantness are simply showing the personal growth that has stemmed from the experience. Reentry precipitates the intersection between the changes in the students’ identity, the new perception they have of the environment, and how they cope with the interaction of the two. Reentry and reverse culture shock are crucial to understanding how one’s identity is continuously produced with the emergence of new rituals and introduction into a new environment, specifically one with different cultural …show more content…
Not only does place play a crucial role in maintaining identity, but also the shift in environment or place encourages individuals to reconsider parts of their identity. Study abroad is opportunity where individuals are challenged to balance remaining true to their character while also being open and vulnerable to the new rituals and behaviors. During this time, new spaces are transformed into places that take a toll on how one perceives themselves and the world. One needs to understand how awareness of various complexities impacts your ever-changing identities and the importance of balancing that awareness with being present, “cultivating a sense of belonging within your home, your body, your terrain, and your community (Minge, 2013, p. 221). My experience provided me with an entirely new perspective on what I am capable of and allowed me to embrace (re) construction of my identity, socially, culturally, and personally. My personal experience abroad is proof that identity, self-concept, and global perspective are always in motion. Understanding that change in environment and emergence of new rituals is inevitable so it necessary for everyone to develop eagerness for a hybrid of multiple