The Deep Culture Model of Cultural Learning

Previous chapters have outlined the theoretical background of current models of intercultural learning with a particular focus on deep culture learning experiences. This chapter will synthesize these ideas into a new model of intercultural learning. Because of its emphasis on how intercultural learners react to the implicit adaptive demands of longer sojourns, it will be referred to as the Deep Culture Model of intercultural learning. This model is phenomenological and focuses on cultural learning as an ongoing process of responding to the adaptive demands of a new cultural environment. A general overview of the model will be given in this chapter with subsequent chapters looking in more detail at particular elements of the intercultural learning experience.

In the quote above, Rieko gives us a snapshot of the intercultural learning process. She finds herself in a new cultural environment – university study in the United States – and faces adaptive demands in her new environment. She must learn a new language, form relationships in a new way, communicate in a new way and generally make sense of her experiences. At times, she has trouble telling what is cultural and what is personal, i.e. she's not sure how Americans would interpret particular behavior. In order for her to understand she has to come to an understanding of how behavior is perceived by Americans. That requires an ongoing interaction with her new social environment in order to enter more deeply into the perceptual world of her hosts.