Learning in a New Culture Learning in an Intercultural Context Xiangyun and Lars Peter xiangyun@plan.aau.dk October 11th, 2005

What are the things confronting when entering a new culture? Is there anything 2 learn bout this

Things that have been taken for granted in one culture might be unknown in another Parents Not for you maybe but it was for my parents!!!!!

Things that have been taken for granted in one culture might be unknown in another Hotpot If I want to have a fub evening I invite some Danes

Agenda 8:15 - 9:15 Presentation by Xiangyun - My story – learning in a new culture as a foreign student - Reflection on cultural background - Intercultural communication 9:30 – 10:45 Intercultural group discussion and preparation for poster presentation 10:45 – 12:00 Poster presentation

WHO AM I ? PHD project on Learning engineering in PBL – gendered practice WHO AM I ? Helping foreign students learn how to learn in PBL, Denmark Doing research on intercultural teaching and learning

Study hard Active in class A good girl In the eyes of teachers Routine Student life School -home My Personal Growth From a ‘good’ student in China to a teacher in an Engineering University Became a teacher Hard work – good performance - Good student – diploma

I want to learn new things! I want to see the world! I want to learn new things! An international master program in RUC, Denmark, where I experienced PBL as a student Specialization of Gender & Engineering Education in Linköping, Sweden

Life was not easy! What on earth the supervisor wanted me to do? I am I don’t understand the lecturer What on earth the supervisor wanted me to do? Life was not easy! I am Depressed! So difficult to do a project in group work!

Difficulties in Getting In the New Learning Culture –With Lectures Answers Knowledge

Problems in Project Work -With Supervision What Shall I do????? Why? How? What? The project is your own baby!

Problems in Project Work -With Group Work Will they believe me because I am a girl?? NO, I can’t get up anyway YES, we can meet at 8 tomorrow morning It is my turn to talk? If we don’t follow supervisor’s suggestion, will he allow us to pass? Listen to me, I am very experienced He complains of my garlic, but he has coffee and carrots all the time!!! They don’t understand such easy things!!

Am I stupid? Am I different? Why?

Main Barriers in learning Come from Culture Differences Communication Language Social customs, attitudes, norms, and values Knowledge background lack of knowledge others grow up with different understanding of the same thing

Learning in a new culture New country Rethinking about NEW Learning in a new culture New study form New Environment

Learning Environment I was used to in China Teacher-centred Fixed contents following authority (teachers and textbooks) Big class – little discussion Principles and regulations Learning by heart Scores and ranks-based assessment – motivation (ranking system)

Learning Environment I was used to in China How do Chinese Learn Students are expected to - Learn what and how rather than why - Follow superiors’ experiences and suggestions - Behave well - Be diligent Principles Uniforms No interruption to teachers No speaking in a lecture unless when asked personally No challenge and criticism to teaching contents and teachers Not to make teachers lose face

Learning Environment in Denmark in My Eyes student-centred (group work and varied teaching methods) Contextualized contents learning by doing smaller classes warmer class climate more ways of assessment than multiple choice- centred exams

What I have learned - ‘Survival’ Strategies To open up my eyes and mind To be active and initiative - chances are created To be patient - to ask ‘why?’ before getting offended and complaining ‘how!’ To ask ‘stupid’ questions

How do you understand culture and cultural difference?

Cultural Differences 1 - Different ways of doing the same thing

– different strengths and weakness Cultural differences 2 – different strengths and weakness Example: Secret plan for harmonising EU Plan A: Salaries like in Switzerland Taxes like in Luxembourg German cars English country style as standard housing French wine Italian food Belgium beer Austrian skiing facilities Public authorities like in Denmark Plan B: Polish salaries Danish Taxes Spanish cars East German housing German wine Norwegian food French beer Dutch Skiing facilities Public authorities like in Italy

Intercultural Communication 1 Impact of globalisation Future engineers are expected to know cultures and have social concern ‘entering into management and co-operative contexts with people of different educational cultural background’ - Danish Ministry of Education Companies will look for engineers with international perspective…

Intercultural Communication 2 Cultural stereotypes Western World in the eyes of Chinese : Individualism Free Open and straight French: Romantic American: free German: principled British: reserved Italian: warm What is the stereotype of Chinese in your impression?

Intercultural Communication 2 Cultural stereotypes How do you think about Danish culture? Danish in my eyes: Friendly-indifferent-warm to outsiders Committed and responsible in work Self-principled and contextual flexible Collaborative in work but self-concerned individualism in private life Fair Honest Enjoying life Value-driven

Intercultural Communication 3 Theory Cultural Factors Contextual Factors Cognition Affect Behavior

Intercultural Communication 3 miscommunication and conflicts Miscommunication arises when behaviour of a person from one culture is judged within the framework of another culture

Intercultural Communication 4 Positive communication -Understanding cultural differences - to Learn from cultural differences Intercultural Communication 4

An example of Cultural difference In concern with Student life

Student Life in China 6:30 Get up in dorm 6:30-7:00 Morning Exercise

7:00 Breakfast in Canteen 7:30 – 8:00 Morning Reading

8:00 – 9:50 Morning Lectures 10:10 – 12:00 Morning Lectures

14:00-16:00 Afternoon Activities Lectures Supervision Library Laboratory

16:00-18:00 Leisure time

Evening Activities – study individually

Exams Written form Hard tasks Textbook knowledge based Scores matter

Good Good Study, Day Day Up! Study hard - high marks - diploma - good student

Cooking? Housing? Shopping? New Life in Denmark Transportation?

Study in Aalborg University, Denmark Lectures Practice Study in Aalborg University, Denmark Supervision Doing project In groups

Doing project in groups meeting Life Brainstorm Exam Report writing Presentation Doing project in groups Subgroup work Compromise Discussion Disagreement

Spare time activities

However, please note that Cultural Differences Are only one of the Reasons that Make us Different… Muslim Young girl Philosopher Animal doctor butcher farmer artist wolf

Intercultural Group Discussion Reflection on your own experiences To understand and learn from cultural differences