Transitions Across Cultures
A Guide to Culture Shock for Travelers
and Those Who Love Them
“This little book is power-punched with practical steps to help the traveler process and integrate new understandings of self and others that could mean the difference between a good experience and a bad one; between making long-lasting and resilient friendships or living with confusing and disappointing connections.”
Denise Nebeker, Leadership Coach and cofounder of LeaderCare Online
“As a parent of one who lives in another country, I found Transitions Across Cultures to offer insightful analysis of the challenges that face those who live and move between different cultures.”
Jan, parent of an expat
Cross-cultural transition can be both amazing and difficult. Transitions Across Cultures presents a practical, easy-to-read overview of major themes that are important for those traveling or moving abroad. Culture, culture shock, transition, factors that intensify the experience, and reentry are all presented conversationally to make these important theoretical insights accessible.
No two travelers have exactly the same transition, and this book is designed to reach across the breadth of experiences. This book has important insights for you whether you are an international business traveler, an expat, a study abroad student, NGO worker, or are deployed abroad for your religious or government organization.
What’s more, Transitions Across Cultures is also written for the sponsors, coaches, family, and friends of those transitioning abroad or returning home. It can be very difficult to know how to walk well alongside those who are experiencing these changes, and this book makes it easier to understand the challenges they face.
This book is intentionally concise, intended to be readable on your international flight or in an afternoon at a coffee shop. The revised edition connects the reader to great resources that can help them navigate the rewarding but challenging journey of culture shock and transition. The publisher has also made supporting materials available online.
2020
Revised Edition
135 Pages
Originally published by The Practical Interculturalist, Watertown, MN.
978-1-940105-05-5 ISBN paperback
About the Book
This quick, easy-to-understand, helpful guide for those who are traveling abroad or friends and family of cross-cultural sojourners. The Revised Edition includes more resources to help readers expand their understanding of transitions.
PORTABLE AND APPLICABLE
Designed to fit in your purse or pocket, Transitions Across Cultures is an easy-to-carry, easy-to-read guide to the common experiences of culture shock and cultural transition.
WHAT’S INSIDE
Contents include:
- Chapter 1: Why this Book?
- Chapter 2: What is Culture?
- Chapter 3: The Process of Transition
- Chapter 4: Culture SHock
- Chapter 5: Preparing for Cross-Cultural Success
- Chapter 6: Coming Home and Welcoming Back
- Chapter 7: Parting Words
- Additional Resources
The book also features a glossary to make unfamiliar terms easier to understand.
“This book is required reading for all of our study abroad students. They often tell us that they’re glad we had them read it–which is rare for students to do!! They refer to it before, during and after their travels. Transitions Across Cultures provides valuable insights for each stage of their journeys.”
Ordering Information
Transitions Across Cultures is available directly from us in Berlin, or online. Please be aware that in some cases we have found retailers with an online price marked up far beyond what we charge for the book, and we do not receive the benefit for the extra cost. You and we get the best deal when you purchase directly from us in Berlin. The cost should not exceed about $14 or 14€. The following links may help us earn an affiliate bonus. Thank you for your support!
About the Author
STEPHEN W JONES
Dr. Stephen W. Jones lives in Berlin, Germany with his family. Across his career, he has worked to develop intercultural competence in students and adult-learners, first as a professor in the U.S., and more recently at Envision Berlin, e.V. He is especially keen to engage learners in applied education, especially including service-learning.
Jones earned his Ph.D. in International Development at the University of Southern Mississippi, his M.A. in Intercultural Relations at the University of the Pacific, and both a B.A. in Bible and Intercultural Studies and a B.S. in Business Administration: Intercultural Management at Grace University. He is the author of Transitions Across Cultures: A Guide to Culture Shock for Travelers and Those Who Love Them.