Deep Culture

A straightforward guide to understanding the hidden cultural challenges of adapting to life abroad. Combining intercultural theory and the voices of sojourners who talk about their experiences, it maps out the process of resisting, accepting and adapting to cultural difference. We see that all sojourners, from tourists, to expatriates to immigrants, go through a similar learning dynamic. We learn that intercultural experiences can be deep or shallow, and that hidden cultural difference can increase sojourner prejudice. The book examines intercultural sensitivity while avoiding “feel good” idealizations about cross-cultural contact. It brings clarity to debates regarding the importance of cultural difference and the effects of globalization. An essential resource for sojourners, language teachers and intercultural educators.

Born in California, Joseph Shaules (PhD) has worked in language and intercultural education for more than 20 years. For ten years he was a tenured faculty member at Rikkyo University, Tokyo. He has worked in curriculum design, educational publishing, and was the co-presenter of the NHK television program Crossroads Café. He teaches courses in intercultural education at the Rikkyo Graduate School of Intercultural Communication. He does intercultural training in Japan, and has lived and worked abroad (Mexico, Japan, and France) for more than 20 years. He is proficient in English, Japanese, French and Spanish. He created the PICO Intercultural Learning System and is the director of the Japan Intercultural Institute.