Cultural Awareness In Youth Exchange Dennis White dkwhite@itol.com www.yeoresources.org

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Historical Cross-Cultural Travelers: Marco Polo Christopher Columbus Mark Twain

“You can’t trust your eyes if your mind is out of focus.” Mark Twain

Confronting Ethnocentrism in literature and Film Robinson Crusoe Huck Finn Michener’s Hawaii The Poisonwood Bible

Some Films That Present Differences in Cultural Values.doc People can learn to look for issues in crossing cultures in popular films Some Films That Present Differences in Cultural Values.doc 

Some Films That Present Differences in Cultural Values.doc Dances With Wolves Some Films That Present Differences in Cultural Values.doc 

The history of crossing cultures has been the history of confronting differences

Research suggests that the path to preparing culturally competent individuals involves both (a) Area Studies. Language, cultural customs, etc. (b) Theoretical Orientation to Culture, including simulations and roleplays.

Both are useful. But there are disadvantages to a. It’s hard to find enough experts. Within any national culture are many sub cultures. All cultures are dynamic and constantly changing.

What is culture?

Culture is learned behavior, not hereditary or genetic. Culture is the acquired knowledge (not indigenous or instinctual) that groups use in order to interpret the world around them, to generate social behavior, and to decipher the behavior of others.

Culture is everything that is not a part of nature. As an example, a tree is part of the natural world whereas a wooden chair, made from the tree, is part of the multiple inventions and manifestations of culture.

What is culture?

Culture An integrated system of learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of any given society or group. It refers to the total way of life, including how people think, feel and behave.

Think of color-blindness as culture-blindness

Ethnocentrism: The universal tendency for any culture to see its own values and practices as natural and correct.

Native American/First Canadian terms for themselves: Human Beings The Mediterranean Sea “China” means “middle earth” In Ecuador, the monument at the equator is roughly translated as “The middle of the world”

Ethnorelativism: The acquired ability to see many values, beliefs and behaviors as cultural rather than universal.

dev interc sensit non Rotary.ppt Developing Intercultural Sensitivity The Experience of Difference Acceptance Adaptation Integration Denial Defense Minimization Ethnocentric Stages Ethnorelative Stages dev interc sensit non Rotary.ppt  One World or Many.doc 

Ethnocentrism to Ethnorelativism Developing cultural sensitivity and competence requires moving from Ethnocentrism to Ethnorelativism

“The world in which you were born is just one model of reality “The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being like you. They are unique manifestations of the human spirit ”. Wade Davis

Defensiveness Recognizing a cultural practice as different but labeling it wrong or inferior. Or, by labeling one’s own practice superior.

Our own culture, or sub-culture, comes to us as naturally and unconsciously as our handedness. We generally don’t think about what hand we will use to write our names. Changing our cultural point of view is about as hard as changing our handedness. Both are possible, but neither is easy. .

More easily perceived differences, in language, food, dress, etc More easily perceived differences, in language, food, dress, etc., may obscure deeper, more subtle differences in values and thinking patterns.

Unconscious beliefs and values The Cultural Iceberg Conscious behaviors 1/8th above the surface Unconscious beliefs and values 7/8ths below the surface

Individualism Group Orientation Formality Informality Past Future Directness Indirectness Change Permanence

Change Permanence

Individualism Group orientation

The development of the personal listening device. Case study: The development of the personal listening device. Walkman – Discman – MP3 – Ipod

Many Middle-Eastern cultures Individualism Change Permanence Many Middle-Eastern cultures Group orientation

Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock Presentation.ppt The profound sense of disorientation and discomfort that comes with extended travel or living in a foreign culture markedly different from one’s own. Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock Presentation.ppt Culture Shock.doc 

Stages of Culture Shock Initial excitement Irritability and negativeness Gradual adaptation Biculturalism Culture Shock.doc

“Some travelers want to go to foreign places but are dismayed when the places turn out actually to be foreign.” Canadian author Margaret Atwood

Culture Shock Cycle Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls Rotary Youth Exchange Culture Shock Cycle Months Pre-Departure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …... Normal Level of Feelings Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls

Reverse Culture Shock Initial Euphoria (may be very brief or not happen at all) Irritability and Negativism ( may be very lengthy) Gradual Adaptation True Bi-Culturalism Going Home.doc So You Think You're Home Now.doc

Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock are not just unpleasant side effects of international living. They are the necessary ingredients that bring about quality exchanges.

When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable. Clifton Fadiman

The Value of Simulations, Games and Related Exercises What they all offer is for participants to simulate the experience of intercultural interaction, including the uncertainty, frustration, and related emotions that arise. Games, Simulations and Other Learning Exercises.ppt 

The Value of Simulations, Games and Related Exercises These exercises are only as valuable as the discussion that follows – where behavioral observations, feelings and learning points are discussed Games, Simulations and Other Learning Exercises.ppt 

Examples: Broken Squares Build A Tower Barnga Bafa Bafa

dev interc sensit non Rotary.ppt Developing Intercultural Sensitivity The Experience of Difference Acceptance Adaptation Integration Denial Defense Minimization Ethnocentric Stages Ethnorelative Stages dev interc sensit non Rotary.ppt  One World or Many.doc 

The Theoretical Frameworks: The concept of Culture as a way of perceiving reality. The Experience of Difference Continuum. Dimensions of Culture. Stages of Culture Shock.

SHARON: So, Maria, your sister will be graduating in May. Near the Family   SHARON: So, Maria, your sister will be graduating in May. MARIA: Yes she is very happy. SHARON: Does she have a job lined up? MARIA: Yes. She’ll be working for the Central Bank. SHARON: Good for her. Has she found a place to live yet? MARIA: Actually, the bank is very near my parents‘ place. SHARON: That's nice. So she’ll be living quite near them.

Dennis White, Ph.D. 207 S. 4th Avenue Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 54235 USA Telephone: 920-746-1346 Fax: 920-746-1347 Email: dkwhite@itol.com www.yeoresources.org