Culture Shock

FICTIONAL CASE STUDY

Context: The high turnover rate of international workers has become a pressing issue for many companies. One of the main reasons for this turnover is culture shock, which can be a challenging experience for employees who are not familiar with the culture of their new environment. 

Challenges: During my research, I found that many employees were not familiar with the concept of culture shock or the four stages of culture shock. Additionally, employees were not aware of the coping mechanisms that could be used to manage culture shock effectively. This lack of understanding was leading to a high turnover rate among international workers, which was costly for the company. 

Solutions: The course is organized into three units, each with its own specific learning objectives. In the first unit, learners are introduced to the concept of culture shock and learn how to define it. In the second unit, learners categorize the four stages of culture shock. In the final unit, learners associate the four stages of culture shock with possible coping mechanisms. 

The scenario presented above is part of the third unit of this training. In this scenario, the learner follows the journey of a fictional character as they navigate the ups and downs of living in a new culture. They are presented with different situations and asked to make decisions that will impact the experience of their character. 

Results: Since the implementation of the course, the turnover rate of international workers has decreased by 30% within the first six months of employment. This decrease in turnover has resulted in significant cost savings for the company. Furthermore, the course has been well received by employees who have reported feeling more prepared and equipped to manage culture shock effectively. Overall, the course has helped the company minimize the negative impact of culture shock on their international workforce, resulting in increased employee satisfaction and retention.