Breaking the ice with Bread and Salt – how Polish people adapt to Finnish society
Olszewska, Adrianna (2018)
Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu
2018
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018112618323
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018112618323
Tiivistelmä
Moving abroad and starting one’s life in an unknown culture is never an easy decision. It is a life-changing process of learning, adapting and understanding nuances of everyday life. The objective of this thesis is to present to Polish people who move to Finland possible challenges and difficulties related to cultural differences, their origin, and suggestions how to make the adaptation process easier.
Cultural theories by Geert Hofstede and Edward T. Hall are used as a benchmark for the theoretical comparison of Polish and Finnish society, to identify main issues that could possibly from the culture clash and major differences that place these countries on the opposite ends of the scale. Together with theoretical framework, personal observations were included.
To validate the theoretical analysis further, interviews with Polish people living in Finland were conducted and later compared to theoretical findings. Results and conclusions show that theory does not reflect practice in every case, and possible areas for further and more detailed research have been found. This thesis provides information on what an individual moving from Poland to Finland might find the most challenging and how to prepare themselves for the possible culture shock and adjustment period.
Cultural theories by Geert Hofstede and Edward T. Hall are used as a benchmark for the theoretical comparison of Polish and Finnish society, to identify main issues that could possibly from the culture clash and major differences that place these countries on the opposite ends of the scale. Together with theoretical framework, personal observations were included.
To validate the theoretical analysis further, interviews with Polish people living in Finland were conducted and later compared to theoretical findings. Results and conclusions show that theory does not reflect practice in every case, and possible areas for further and more detailed research have been found. This thesis provides information on what an individual moving from Poland to Finland might find the most challenging and how to prepare themselves for the possible culture shock and adjustment period.