Cambios culturales: Percepciones de estudiantes universitarios extranjeros en su adaptación a la cultura mexicana.

Authors

  • Ma. Eugenia González-Alafita
  • Martha Pamela Flores-Meléndes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS532011459

Keywords:

cultural adaptation, cultural sensitivity, intercultural skills, adaptación cultural, sensibilidad cultural, habilidades interculturales.

Abstract

Abstract Debido al creciente intercambio de estudiantes extranjeros alrededor del globo, el tema de la adaptación cultural ha cobrado importancia (e.g., García Martínez y Saura Sánchez, 2008; Kagan y Cohen, 1990; McPherson y Szul; 2008; Núñez, 2009; Tompson y Tompson, 1996). Pero ¿Cómo es que los alumnos de países tan distintos en el aspecto cultural logran adaptarse a una cultura nueva como lo es la mexicana? El propósito de este estudio fue analizar las percepciones de estudiantes extranjeros sobre su proceso de adaptación en una universidad en México. A través de un análisis cualitativo, por medio de entrevistas a 20 participantes (latinos, europeos, asiáticos, estadounidenses y canadienses), se encontró que los factores que permiten una adaptación favorable a la cultura mexicana son: el idioma, tener familiares y amigos mexicanos; el carácter de la gente mexicana, tener amistad con gente del país anfitrión y participar en actividades extracurriculares. Los factores que no permiten una óptima adaptación cultural son: carga de trabajo académico, añoranza y la inseguridad. Finalmente, los problemas de adaptación se resuelven en dos categorías: desarrollando una sensibilidad cultural (i.e., aprender de la cultura e integrar los valores y creencias de otra cultura) y teniendo contactos nacionales (i.e., tener amigos mexicanos que ayuden a que la estadía sea más placentera). Abstract Due to the increasing exchange of foreign students from around the globe, the issue of cultural adaptation has become important (eg, Sánchez García Martínez and Saura, 2008, Kagan and Cohen, 1990, McPherson and Szul, 2008, Núñez, 2009; Tompson and Tompson , 1996). But how is that students from countries as diverse in the cultural aspect fail to adapt to a new culture as is the Mexican? The purpose of this study was to analyze students' perceptions of their adjustment process at a university in Northern Mexico. From a qualitative analysis from in-depth interviews of 20 participants (Latin Americans, European, Asian, American and Canadian), we found that the factors for favorable adaptation to the Mexican culture are: Knowing the language, having Mexican relatives and friends; the way Mexican people are (their nature), making friends with people of the host country, and participating in extracurricular activities. The factors that prevent an optimal cultural adaptation are: academic workload, longing and insecurity. Finally, adjustment problems are solved in two categories: developing a cultural sensitivity (i.e, learning the culture and integrate its values and beliefs) and having national contacts (i.e, have Mexican friends that help making the stay pleasant).

Author Biographies

Ma. Eugenia González-Alafita

Ma. Eugenia González Alafita Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Communication and Journalism

Martha Pamela Flores-Meléndes

Martha Pamela Flores Meléndez Student Communication Major Tecnológico de Monterrey-Campus Monterrey

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Published

2011-10-03

How to Cite

González-Alafita, M. E., & Flores-Meléndes, M. P. (2011). Cambios culturales: Percepciones de estudiantes universitarios extranjeros en su adaptación a la cultura mexicana. Observatorio (OBS*), 5(3). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS532011459

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2011)

Section

Articles

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