Culture shock of Vietnamese students in Germany

Abstract

The purpose of the thesis was to examine various angles of Vietnamese students’ experience with culture shock in Germany and suggest possible methods to manage it. The thesis’s theory includes different scientific definitions of culture shock, description of culture shock’s development, causes, symptoms and management. Besides, the theory covers a comparison of German and Vietnamese cultures on the basis of Geert Hofstede’s dimensions of national culture and the Lewis model. The empirical data for this thesis was collected and analysed by using qualitative research method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Vietnamese students who had previously participated in a sojourn in Germany. The set of interview questions was divided into four themes and used as a framework for all of the interviews. The results of the thesis show a range of common types of culture shock that Vietnamese students experience in Germany. The interviewees also revealed how their psychological state changed during the encounter of culture shock. Furthermore, a few factors that led to the occurrence of culture shock were identified. Finally, the respondents suggested various ways to prepare for and overcome culture shock based on their own experience. The thesis is beneficial to Vietnamese students who plan to choose Germany as their study destination.