Running head: Stage of intercultural sensitivity 1

Stage of Intercultural Sensitivity

Jesenia Cordero

University of Old Dominion

Author Note

Jesenia Cordero, College of Science, Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jesenia Cordero, College of

Sciences, Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA 23529

jcord009@odu.edu
Stage of intercultural sensitivity 2

The six stages of intercultural sensitivity are: denial, defense, minimization, acceptance,

adaptation, and integration (Bennet, 2011). I am in the stage of adaptation. The fifth stage,

adaptation, allows a person to shift his or her perspective and evaluate the situation from a

cultural reference to operate successfully within that norm (EDI & Adams, 2010). With that

being said, I accepted the Italians costumes and way of living. In Italy there were not many fast

food places and restaurants would serve the food at a slower pace than in the United States. Yes,

there were times in which they could pick up the pace, I thought. Only because I was starving.

For example, after touring the city of Rome and going on tours was exhausting. Walking the

whole time burned off all the calorie intake I took in morning leaving me hungry and low on

energy. After a while staying in Rome I adapted to the slow way of eating. Being able to sit and

wait for the food gave me the opportunity to talk more with my classmates and professor.

As the days passed by, I found myself speaking a bit of Italian. I realize that the Italians

dislike when foreigners say grazi instead of the proper term grazie which mean thank you.

While touring Italy, I observed the Italians. They were very passionate about soccer. I was able to

speak to them about Italy soccer team and upcoming games for World Cup Qualifiers. While

talking to them I got a cup of coffee. I found out coffee was something they were very fond

about. The coffee was not served as the coffee in the United States. It was smaller and stronger. I

saw people drink coffee at any time of the day. I never had an interested in coffee before;

however, I was amazed how delicious it tasted. If anything, I would go back again to Italy to

drink more of their coffee.

Walking was another major activity Italians did. I walked around from the begin of the

day to the end. Occasionally, I took bus routes which was tricky. The bus driver would not wait
Stage of intercultural sensitivity 3

for anyone that was not at the bus stop already. I had to rush as quickly as I can to catch the bus

and they were never on time as the schedule said. After getting on the bus, I saw people knocking

on the bus door while the bus was in plain sight, not even at a bus stop. The bus driver would not

open the door for them. So, I knew to get to the bus stop before the given time that said on the

schedule. At the end of the week, I found myself upset like the Italians about the public

transportation in Rome. I witness the protest about the public transportation and agreed with the

Italians for their protest. As I mention before, the buses were never on time as the schedule said.

So, walking was a better choice in mobilizing within the city.

The next highest level of intercultural sensitivity I would want to move up is the

integration of difference. Integration of difference is when a person is not defined by any one

culture (Bennett, 2011). This person can shift frame of reference and help deal with resulting

identity issues (EDI & Adams, 2010). Ill have to spend more time in Italy or study their culture

more. This includes: history, politics, media, traditions and much more. Perhaps, I will have to

join a study abroad program or attend to a university there. I can also involve myself with

interacting with the Italians in the United States and learn from their way of living. There is

always little Italy in New York I can go visit and find Italians that have travel from home to here.

All in all, there are many forms I can learn more and be multicultural.
Stage of intercultural sensitivity 4

References

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