Adjusting to a New Culture

This assignment explores the challenges and triumphs of adjusting to a new culture. The author, who moved from Vietnam to the United States two years prior, reflects on their experiences with language barriers, cultural differences, and the personal growth that resulted from adapting to a new environment. They highlight the importance of being open to new possibilities and embracing the unpredictable nature of life.

REFLECTION
Reflection
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

1REFLECTION
Life poses many challenges for individuals as all stages of a person’s life are not the
same. Difficulties and hard times are the realities of life. Only those people who face adversities
and issues in adjusting to the culture of a different country as also their ways and means emerge
as true winners in life.
I used to stay in Vietnam and almost completed my college there. Then I shifted to the
United States two years ago. The situation was a challenge for me as I had to complete my
college in United States. The language of the country was also new in the sense that I had studied
it as a second language in my country. Thus conversing in the language at first was a bit of a
challenge and therefore I felt that I came to understand a different aspect of my personality (Jean
and Kaye).
Being used to a particular way of life in a particular country and then shifting to a
different country and settling to its way of life is quite a challenge. This challenge exposes a
person to the realities of life. It also helps a person realise that life is unpredictable and a person
cannot know from before what situation he or she has to deal with, at any point in his or her life
(Wu, Garza and Guzman).
Despite English not being my mother tongue, I had to understand and study in the
language. The nuances of the language were not as clear to me as to the people of the country. It
was slowly and gradually that I could grasp the language, its nuances and along with it started
getting accustomed to the new place. Life took on a new turn and taught me the importance of
being open to unlimited possibilities.

2REFLECTION
References:
Mesidor, Jean Kesnold, and Kaye F. Sly. "Factors that contribute to the adjustment of
international students." Journal of International Students 6.1 (2016): 262.
Wu, Hsiao-ping, Esther Garza, and Norma Guzman. "International student’s challenge and
adjustment to college." Education Research International 2015 (2015).