BOOK REVIEW – Transitions Across Cultures

Easy to digest

Jones is the son of a US naval officer – spending much of his childhood overseas – and now works with cross-cultural college students, so he knows well the challenges of cultural transition. He begins Transitions by outlining the purpose of the book, before giving us a brief introduction to the concept of culture, then the effects of transition, and culture shock itself. Each chapter is written as a series of short concepts, making the main points clear and easy to digest. This is not an in-depth guide, but it’s a perfect introduction for the beginner and a good reminder even for the seasoned traveller.

Putting it into practice

The second half of this book gives practical guidance of how to mitigate some of the effects of culture shock and having a successful experience. These are again presented as quick snapshots: ‘acknowledge your expectations’, ‘prepare yourself to cope’, and even ‘have fun’. Whilst concise, they are useful introductions to very practical concepts and their thoughtful application will make a significant difference to your experience of cultural transition.

Jones goes on to cover so-called ‘reverse culture shock’ or ‘re-entry shock’, recognising that coming ‘home’ is just as much of a transition, often even more so, as travelling overseas. This makes Transitions a great book to give to your church, your parents, or anyone else who would like to understand better what you’re going through and what emotions you’re feeling now you’ve returned.