Walter Marshal located to China a year ago from Sydney to oversee the newly started branch of the software company he works for. As an expatriate in a country whose culture is vastly different from his own, Walter has only recently started speaking the local language comfortably. He has also familiarized himself with the cultural nuances of the country which has enabled him to function smoothly without requiring too much help from his local colleagues. Walter is in the _____ phase of the adjustment process.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Walter is already familiar with the cultural nuances of the country and has started speaking the local language comfortably, which suggests that he has moved beyond the resistance, elation, and honeymoon phases of the adjustment process. The adaption phase refers to a stage where the expatriate has successfully adapted to the host culture and can function effectively in their new environment, which is where Walter currently seems to be. Biculturalism refers to the final phase of the adjustment process, where the expatriate is fully integrated into the host culture and feels comfortable and at home in both their home and host cultures, which doesn't seem to be the case for Walter yet.

Walter Marshal Located to China a Year Ago from Sydney