Immigrant Culture

Introduction

Migrating already started in the ancient times were humans cross the different continents in search for food and shelter. Today, people still choose to move for the same and somehow new reasons such as job relocation, fostering education, and searching for a good home. These new reasons are considered as solution for the overpopulation in one certain area. However, there are many things to be considered before deciding to be called as “immigrant” and these involves the adjustment in terms of culture and fighting culture shock.

Culture

The differences of people in education, social standing, religion, personality, faith, experiences, personalities, and a myriad of other factors will affect human behavior and culture. Thus, the differences of the culture and ideology reflect in their traditional customs and ways. And because of the differences, the migrating group or person should learn to understand the other cultures. There are many other reasons aside from being fascinated on how the people think, speak, act, evaluate, and communicate. Understanding the culture differences can help them in doing their business, being a diplomat, having social life or school affiliations, and avoiding the humiliation or offending the others in their religion.

Culture Differences between the US and Haiti

There are series of differences between the US and Haiti in terms of the culture. Understanding these differences can make a person adjust to the new environment. At first is the Haiti’s culture which encompasses a variety of traditions while, the United States culture is through the development of European ideals, British, and domestic origin.

Festivals - The most festive time of the year in Haiti is where the cities are filled with music, parade floats and people dancing and singing in the streets. Meanwhile, in US, they celebrate their festivals through the National Holidays together with a happy bearing. But unlike in Haiti, US have a numerous holidays to be celebrated.

Religion/Faith – Both the US and Haiti are the home for different religions and beliefs. The religions are composed of Christians, Roman Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, and others. Cuisine – the taste buds of Haitian are made-up of African, Taino, and European delicacies. And their food is duly under the process of marinating. Meanwhile, in the US, they use wheat is the primary cereal grain.

Culture Shock

Every person who enters in the new world that is foreign to her thus, the next step is adjustment that should be set in motion. Immigrants usually experience this kind of feeling unless they are capable in speaking their foreign language. Language is one of the access to understand their differences. There is nothing as frustrating as trying to speak English in the U.S.A., particularly when you know that the word you think you are pronouncing is not being understood by the other person. Eventually, the culture shock is one of the reasons why the immigrant unaware offended or scorned the natural inhabitants of the land.

The culture shock in Haiti as they move to United States has to do with basic survival. Life in Haiti struggles for daily food, potable water, hunting for the basic health care to stay alive, and finding a job is a problem. On the other hand, the ones who are in the middle and upper class almost take things for granted. The struggles are focused on the growth, security, personal pleasure, entertainment, and enrichment. The reasons of moving needed to be weigh much and most of it are concerned about school related issues as safety in academic programs.⁵ The immigrants focuses in the main reasons of their migration, for this is their motivation to stay in their decision to move.

Conclusions

There are many issues concerning with the idea of moving from another neighborhood to the other. But the problem in local migration is different in moving in the other country. A good research in that country is an advantage in being visible in the crowd. The problems with the adjusting stage are not that hard if the immigrant is knowledgeable in speaking with them. The good representation of the personality is also important in showing the immigrant’s own perspective. Aside from being in the society which is one of the main problems, the immigrant must also need to find other area of expertise which will make him/her mix with the other people and nationality. The immigrant should not suffer from discrimination if they don’t discriminate the other group.

References:

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Corbett, B., (1987). Culture Shock and Haiti. [Online] Available at: http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/philosophy/simple/shock.html [Accessed 02 Sept 2009].

Grabmeier, J., (n.d.). People Stay In City For Diversity, Move To Suburbs For Schools. [Online] Available at: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/1999-04/OSU-PSIC-010499.php [Accessed 02 Sept 2009].

Otengho, J., (n.d.). Culture Shock. [Online] Available at: http://www.advanceafrica.com/forum_cul01.htm [Accessed 02 Sept 2009].

Understanding Culture and Cultural Differences Introduction to the Study of Other Cultures. Why learning about other cultures is important:[Online] Available at: http://blue.butler.edu/~jfmcgrat/culture.htm#top [Accessed 02 Sept 2009].