Crossing Cultures

Characters:

Emily: A Canadian exchange student experiencing adjustment issues.
Rina: A thoughtful Japanese student who's been abroad for a semester.
Luis: A Mexican student who adapts quickly and loves socializing.

Setting: International student lounge.

(Emily stares out the window, arms crossed. Rina enters and notices her.)

Rina: Hey, Emily. You look deep in thought.

Emily: Oh… hi, Rina. I’m just feeling out of place. Everything here is unfamiliar.

Rina: I understand. Adjusting takes time. The first few weeks were overwhelming for me too.

(Luis walks in with a coffee and overhears them.)

Luis: Let me guess—culture shock? Been there, done that.

Emily: Is it that obvious? I feel disconnected—from the people, the food, even the way people talk.

Luis: That’s normal. When I arrived, I misinterpreted half of what people said. Slang, gestures… it was a mystery.

Rina: I once gave my professor a small gift and he looked so confused. I didn’t know it’s unusual here.

Emily: Exactly! Back home, I felt competent and confident. Here, even ordering lunch feels like a challenge.

Luis: You're navigating a new system. It takes courage. I started by observing others and asking questions.

Rina: Joining student groups helped me a lot. It reduced my isolation.

Emily: Isolation is the right word. I didn’t think I’d struggle this much socially.

Luis: You're not alone. Most of us go through a transitional phase. But it gets better, seriously.

Rina: And don't be afraid to make mistakes. They become great stories later.

Emily: Maybe I need to stop retreating into my room and start participating more.

Luis: Exactly! We're organizing an international potluck this Friday. Bring something Canadian!

Emily: Hmm… poutine, maybe?

Luis: Perfect! And bring your sarcasm too—people will love it.

Rina: You belong here, Emily. Just give yourself time to adapt.

Emily: Thanks, both of you. I needed this talk more than I realized.

(They share a smile and walk off together to the dining area.)

Vocabulary List

Click on each term to hear pronunciation!

Out of place 🔊
Feeling like you don’t belong.
Example: I felt out of place at the big party.
Unfamiliar 🔊
Not known or recognized.
Example: The street signs were all unfamiliar to me.
Overwhelming 🔊
Too much to handle emotionally or mentally.
Example: The heavy workload felt overwhelming.
Disconnected 🔊
Feeling separate or isolated from others.
Example: He felt disconnected in the new city.
Misinterpret 🔊
To understand something incorrectly.
Example: I misinterpreted their tone as anger.
Gestures 🔊
Movements of the hands or body to express ideas.
Example: His gestures helped clarify his meaning.
Competent 🔊
Capable; having the necessary skill.
Example: She is competent at using new software.
Navigate 🔊
To find your way through a difficult situation.
Example: He learned to navigate city streets quickly.
Isolation 🔊
Being alone or separated from others.
Example: The long winter led to feelings of isolation.
Transitional phase 🔊
A period of change between two stages.
Example: Moving abroad is a major transitional phase.
Sarcasm 🔊
Saying the opposite of what you mean, often humorously.
Example: His sarcasm made the joke funnier.
Confident 🔊
Sure of yourself.
Example: She felt confident during the presentation.
Adapt 🔊
To adjust to new conditions.
Example: It took time to adapt to the climate.
Retreat 🔊
To move away or withdraw.
Example: He would retreat to his room when stressed.
Participate 🔊
To take part in an activity.
Example: She decided to participate in the workshop.
Observe 🔊
To watch carefully.
Example: I observed local customs to learn quickly.
Socialize 🔊
To interact with others in a friendly way.
Example: He tried to socialize at the coffee hour.
Unusual 🔊
Not common or expected.
Example: The afternoon schedule was unusual.
Potluck 🔊
A shared meal where everyone brings a dish.
Example: The international potluck was a hit.
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