| Acculturation training has been widely used since the 1950s, but without widespread effectiveness. Numerous studies point to reasons for this ineffectiveness including: poor attitude, unmet expectations, and lack of family support. As a result, expatriates often return home earlier than intended, which is problematic for organizations, expatriates, and their family members. This researcher examines this phenomenon by visiting Puerto Rico to analyze the experiences of expatriates who work and live in Puerto Rico to assess how cultural training programs can increase the effectiveness of expatriates' experiences with the culture of Puerto Rico. However, this project goes further than assessing current training strategies. This study works to reshape current pedagogical methods so that increasingly critical methods become incorporated into the curriculum used during acculturation training. Not only will such changes help the expatriate during the acculturation process, but these changes will also help the expatriate be a more understanding and globally-conscious citizen.; This study makes a significant contribution to the field because it is conducted from a qualitative perspective. Few studies have taken a qualitative approach to acculturation research, and practically no current research has examined acculturation training programs with a critical lens. Thus, a qualitative approach that encourages critical pedagogical tactics is something new and even necessary for the future of the field. In addition, this study is important because it brings together areas of organizational psychology, training and development, intercultural communication, and critical pedagogy that have previously been considered separate. The intersection of these fields works from current work in critical intercultural communication studies to build bridges in the gaps between what are commonly thought to be distinctive fields.; Data were collected through qualitative interviews conducted in Puerto Rico during 2004, and were examined through a phenomenological approach, allowing coherent themes to arise from participant responses. From the data, a series of recommendations for acculturation training develops which includes focusing on communication skills, daily living, and coping strategies from a critical cultural perspective. These recommendations give trainers new ideas to consider for improving future expatriate programs, particularly for people transferring to Puerto Rico. |
