Articles and Books about Daily Life Overseas
Cultural Adaptation – Secular Books
The Art of Crossing Cultures, by Craig Sorti (Nicholas Brealey Publishing). What it takes to encounter a new culture and succeed; how to deal with country and culture shock. Equally helpful for business people and exchange students.
The Whole World Guide to Culture Learning, by Daniel J. Hess (Nicholas Brealey Publishing). Handbook for cross-cultural adaptation through experience-based culture learning.
The Whole World Guide to Language Learning, by Terry Marshall (Nicholas Brealey Publishing). On site guide for language learning, whether you enroll in formal language classes, working language learning into a busy schedule, or something in between.
For information about specific cultures, a good place to start is the series, CultureShock-USA-Survival-Etiquette-(Marshall Cavendish Corporation). These reference books provide concrete, practical tips about the customs and etiquette of various countries and cities.
Cultural Adaptation – Christian Books
Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures, by Sarah A. Lanier (McDougal Publishing Company). Designed to foster greater appreciation for people around the world and an increased desire to better understand them.
Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping Out and Fitting In around the World, by Duane Elmer (IVP Books). Provides a compass for navigating through different cultures: How to avoid pitfalls and cultural faux pas as well as how to make the most of opportunities to build cross-cultural relationships. We also recommend the author’s other works on this topic.
Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships, by Sherwood Lingenfelter and Marvin Mayer (Baker Books). Mission classic that examines the significance of the Incarnation for effective cross-cultural ministry.
For additional mission resources including blogs, podcasts, events, courses and videos that relate to this topic see our complete mission resources page.
