This is only one of the many questions that I have asked since returning from the Daraja service trip in Kenya. The surroundings of Singapore and Kenya are incredibly varied, with Kenya encompassed by vast open spaces with a dry terrain of burnt orange sand compared to the modernised and carefully structured buildings and roads of Singapore. But the physical environment is not the only contributor to how I have felt since arriving back in Singapore.  The complex dynamics of culture has become extremely apparent to me. Therefore this post aims to use my experience to address the concept of Acculturation, an aspect of the IB Psychology course linked to the Sociocultural Approach.

If we use Berry’s model of Acculturation, we could argue that the participants of the UWC Daraja trip had integrated into the culture of Daraja – we adopted their meal times and ate their food (Sukuma wiki, porridge and delicious warm fresh bread rolls), we attended their classes, participated in sports, and attended gatherings of religious groups. We did not neglect our original culture but instead adapted to the traditions and norms of Daraja academy. In 10 days, we felt we had truly connected and began to integrate our lives within another culture. Here, a positive and voluntary experience of acculturation is evident. When we had the difficulty of saying goodbye at the Daraja school gates, the true connection that we made with their community surrounding the issue of gender empowerment with education and beyond demonstrated the positive relationship we had established with this new culture.

Yet on returning back to Singapore, after conversations with staff and students who also were on the trip, many commented on the difficulty in re-adjusting back into daily life of routine along with the the fast paced culture. Sometimes, acculturative stress may actually occur when individuals return back to their original culture. For example, those affected may experience feelings of negativity, anxiety or confusion. Often for those who have successfully integrated into another culture for a number of years, many experience reverse culture shock when trying to fit back into their original culture’s values and traditions.

So why is there an unexpected difficulty in returning home? Perhaps it is not we feel less connected to our original culture, but our experiences, events, discussions and relationships that we established on the trip have led to a cultural interaction that has highlighted our original values. It could be that we have interacted with gatekeepers of different communities to help shape and reinforce our identity. Therefore, the re-adjustment of our identity takes place when we return to our daily routine and try to incorporate our new ideas, beliefs and values.

I am pleased that after meeting the girls at Daraja, this interaction has encouraged me to re-focus my beliefs and values as an individual.