Intercultural studies are becoming more and more important in the age of economic and
cultural globalisation. I would like to show that German literature studies can contribute
to the analysis and understanding of intercultural shocks by analysing Irena Brežná's
novel Die undankbare Fremde. My analysis includes theoretical concepts in regards to
cultural shocks, cultural dimensions and types of adaptation in order to give it structure
and to facilitate the understanding of the novel. The novel contributes to the
comprehension of intercultural shocks and offers reflected solutions.