Adaptation

Adapting to a new environment requires change on the part of the sojourner. Mayumi (above) talks about 'trying to act like Americans', yet feels that changing too much may come at the expense of her true identity. Paul (above), the son of a diplomat who grew up all over the world, seems comfortable with adaptive change, almost to the point of being a different person in different places. Donald (above), on the other hand, seems to deny the possibility for deep cultural change since you 'cannot become a snowman by pouring flour over your head'. For his part, Abdou (above), a Senegalese living in France, describes the perceptual changes which he makes – putting on his 'Senegalese glasses' – in response to being back in Senegal. Each in their own way, these sojourners have dealt with the question of adaptation: How do I change in response to the demands of my new environment?