This paper proposes to study culture shock which is experienced by international students learning in the United States of America. Education is key in unlocking human potential. Investing in education is a critical aspect to prepare highly educated and well-trained human resources for innovation-driven global competitiveness. In school, when the curriculum fails to provide sufficient skills and competence for learners, human resources will not be likely to move up to a higher development level. International students are docking in the United States to acquire quality education in various higher learning institutions in the United States (Ingran, 2014). The research question therefore is, ‘What are some of the challenges which face international students in their learning as a result of Culture Shock?’

Culture shock can be defined as an impact arising from moving from a native or familiar culture to a foreign and unfamiliar one. Am interested in this research question because I have been one of the students whose studies have been affected by changing both physical and cultural environments. In other words, culture shock is as a result of changing environments into a new one, the shock of meeting completely new people and their new way of life in a new country. Muslim countries may have a hard time adapting to or getting used to the social set up of American society once they come to America to study. This may, in turn, affect their performance in class. As a student from a conservative Muslim country, I will not feel comfortable in a class with his fellow students when a fellow student publicly kisses the other in class. It will create an uncomfortable environment devoid of concentration to study.

This research is vital to Young Scholars in Writing because it gives a true picture of what impacts culture shock has on a student. It will be a source of knowledge and a point of reference to Young Scholars in Writing in trying to understand what challenges come with culture shock. These impacts can arise as a result of the social behavior of the student or those around him or her. The other notable effect is the disparities in language use (Mccines, 2012). Students from non-English speaking countries have a hard problem understanding lessons in class considering the United States is an English speaking country.

The rhetorical tools I have used in advancing my arguments to be persuasive are the use of, pathos and logos in my work. My arguments are based on the rhetorical tool of ethos focuses on my realities, the experience I have gone through as a student from a different cultural background and how it has had a challenge in my studies. The other rhetorical tool I have used is pathos, which uses the needs and emotions of the audience, their feelings every time they are in a culturally diverse environment, and that has an impact.

To apply these rhetorical tools of persuasion, I will delve into each one of them and how much they play an essential role in advancing my argument as well as promoting understanding. My personal experience as a student from a conservative non-English speaking Muslim country has been a significant challenge in my studies. Language is a critical component in communication and not being able to express myself in English fluently has affected my learning and understanding of concepts in class. This has been an emotional roller coaster, and a time I would get depressed at the thoughts of going to class.

Preliminary Annotated Bibliography of my research paper is as follows:

Akhtar, Mubeen, et al. “Development of a Scale to Measure Reverse Culture Shock in FreshForeign Degree Holders.” Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research 33.1 (2018). This journal analyses the psychological and emotional impacts of culture shock. It highlights what new students go through and how much it influences their studies.

Al-Anbar, Laith A., Ahmed A. Khaleel, and Jabbar S. Hassan. “8. Pre And Post Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (Eswl) Urine CultureAs A Guide For Antibiotics Management.” Iraqi Journal of MedicalSciences 16.3 (2018): 289-297. These authors delve into the causes and impacts of culture shock. They explain to the readers what things are regarded as being significant causes of culture shock.Here, medical proposals are made to curb any medical scenarios such as depression, which may arise from culture shock.

Orta, David, Edward Murguia, and Cristina Cruz. “From struggle to success via Latina sororities:

Culture shock, marginalization, embracing ethnicity, and educational persistence through

academic capital.” Journal of Hispanic Higher Education 18.1 (2019): 41-58. Orta et al. evaluate the marginalization which arises from culture shock. The writers also question the various forms of embarrassments which arise from culture shock.

Works Cited

Akhtar, Mubeen, et al. “Development of a Scale to Measure Reverse Culture Shock in Fresh

Foreign Degree Holders.” Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research 33.1 (2018).

Al-Anbar, Laith A., Ahmed A. Khaleel, and Jabbar S. Hassan. “8. PRE AND POST

EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE LITHOTRIPSY (ESWL) URINE CULTURE

AS A GUIDE FOR ANTIBIOTICS MANAGEMENT.” Iraqi Journal of Medical

Sciences 16.3 (2018): 289-297.

Chip Ingram.Culture Shock: A Biblical Response to Today’s Most Divisive Issues.Baker Publishing Group.2014.

Mccines Will.Culture Shock: A Handbook For 21st Century Business.Willeys Publishers.2012.

Orta, David, Edward Murguia, and Cristina Cruz. “From struggle to success via Latina sororities:

Culture shock, marginalization, embracing ethnicity, and educational persistence through

academic capital.” Journal of Hispanic Higher Education 18.1 (2019): 41-58