Blog#4 The Transition Model

We have all had an experience where we transition from one place to another, whether it is from a new country to a new sports team. Being introduced to new environments is a normal part of life. These new territories, however, are a situation that one needs time to adjust to. When individuals come to a new country they of course will have struggles adapting to this new environment. “All transition experiences involve change, including some loss and some gain, for individuals” (Martin & Nakayama, 2012, p. 333).  When transitioning into a new society one can gain many positive experiences but may still notice a loss concerning a transition between cultures.

One example of this triumph is of Idex Kusukika, 37, who has done his best to start fresh after transitioning to Lincoln from political war in the Congo. He first fled the Congo for Mali and then to the U.S where he started working at Bryan LGH. He also started taking English classes in his free time. Here things were different for him and it took time to adapt. He had many losses such as family and friends and a culture that he was comfortable in. Here he gained safety and security. One thing he finds comfort in is meeting others with his similar backgrounds that can relate to the hardship and experiences he too has encountered. He met many of these individuals through “The Refugee Action Network Awards and Recognition Dinner” (Smith, 2011).

Political War in Congo

           Another story similar to this is of Moe Free, who also fled his home country of Burma with his wife and six children. They left Burma in 2000 to live at a refugee camp in Thailand for eight years. Here in the United States he initially had trouble with English and communicating with others. With the help of resettlement agencies Free was able to learn English better and find a job to support his family. He now helps out with these services and other refugees (Meyers, 2013). Living in the U.S. he too gained safety and security and has found joy in helping others in his situation. He is joyful for the gains he has accomplished and still also copes with the loss of his home country and his life he had to leave behind there. Both of these stories greatly exemplify how moving to a new environment has a normal set of transitions formed from the gains and losses of being in a new environment. From personal experience I can also say that I have noticed what transition to a new place can be like. Moving from Arizona to Nebraska without knowing anyone my age was a big transition for me and it too came with gains and losses that took time to adjust to.

An intercultural Communication perspective can help with the understanding of refugee resettlement in Nebraska because it allows a person to look at the situation from many angles. The cultural background of a person from another country and/or another language could greatly influence communication in situations. With this perspective one looks at the big picture from a refugees point of view. Cultural values are described as the “worldview of a cultural group and its set of deeply held beliefs” (Martin & Nakayama, 2012, p.100). When we take into consideration that a new member to this society has no idea about our cultural norms or even the language we are better equipped to understand and assist with their assimilation. With this perspective they are more likely to be comfortable and prosperous in this new society.

References:

Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2012). Intercultural communication in contexts (6th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill. 

Smith, M. (2011, December 11). Lincoln refugee finds empathy as strife hits Congo. Retrieved March 8, 2013, from http://journalstar.com/news/local/lincoln-refugee-finds-empathy-as-strife-hits-congo/article_6f011d2a-fe13-5d11-bbee-b5de6f5aba59.html

Meyers, E. (n.d.). Lincoln community home to refugees from around the world. Retrieved March 8, 2013, from NewsNetNebraska website: http://cojmc.webfactional.com/2011/12/05/lincoln-community-home-to-refugees-from-around-the-world/