Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, Communities: Past
Experiences and Future Plans
Language learning experience on which I am reflecting:
Language: Spanish
Dates:
August 2007 – May 2011
School / Program: Virginia Commonwealth University, School of World
Studies
Reflections on big C Culture (literature, art, history, music, etc.)
During my studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, I have had the
opportunity to study Spanish and the literature, culture, history and more
surrounding the language. By reading the various authors and poets, it
gives you an understanding of the lives they lived and the struggles they
encountered. The music and art has been a favorite part of the culture for
me. Listening to music in Spanish makes you aware of words and
phrases you wouldn’t always use in the spoken language you learn in a
class room setting. The art of Hispanic people is some of the oldest and
most popular around the world.
Reflections on small c culture, on cultural similarities and differences
(based on personal interactions, films and television, art and
architecture, newspapers and internet sites, fashion and customs, music
and foods, beliefs, religious practices and gender roles, etc.).
After traveling abroad to Mexico, I was really able to appreciate the
Hispanic culture. The main difference between what I was used to and
what I encountered was that people lived a more simple way of life. Not
everyone had to have these nice fancy cars and huge houses. Granted,
most of the people I met could not afford these luxuries, it was not
something they felt they had to have. Instead of being a necessity, like
they are to most Americans, cars were a luxury for them. I stayed with a
host family in Mexico, and they had one TV, which was in the kitchen.
For a majority of Americans, they have to have a TV in every single
room. Another big difference to me was that in Mexico, after using the
restroom, you cannot throw your toilet paper in the toilet. Their
plumbing system can’t handle it and they have clogs easily. To me, this
was a weird concept to grasp in the beginning, but to the Mexicans it was
just another way of life.
Reflections on how cultural competence and language learning
connections to your academic discipline or to your professional career
I am majoring in Spanish with a concentration in Pre-Pharmacy. My
dream is to go to pharmacy school and earn a Doctorate in Pharmacy.
With my knowledge of the Spanish language and culture, I would hope to
be able to use it and better assist and help my clients and patients. Also, I
hope that I can inform my co-workers of the importance of being able to
help the Hispanic community by knowing they are receiving the
appropriate help and assistance they need and deserve.
Comparisons of similarities and differences between your dominant
language(s) and a language you are learning (e.g., styles of
communication, gestures, topics of conversation, how close people stand
to each other, etc.)
When speaking Spanish, you are able to identify about whom someone
is talking a lot easier than in English. For example, if I were to say “My
cousin is in Japan,” in English the person I was speaking to would not
know if my cousin was male or female, I would have to indicate that. In
Spanish, I could say “Mi primo está en Japón.” Because the word primo
ends in an –o, it is understood that it is my male cousin. If it ended in an
–a, that would mean my female cousin. I have noticed that more English
speaking people talk using hand gestures, where as Spanish speaking
people are not as animated.
Reflections on communities where a target langauge is spoken (e.g.,
comparisons and contrasts in attitudes and practices with your dominant
culture, or among communities and countries where the same target
language is spoken)
In my experience, Spanish speaking communities are usually
communities where everyone looks out for one another. Having traveled
to Mexico, I was lucky enough to meet some local residents who showed
us around and made sure that we were safe and okay. Usually the
Spanish communities thrive off of their own families. Everyone from
your grandparents down to the youngest family members live in the same
house and are welcoming to having people in their house.
Future plans for formal language study, travel abroad, employment in
intercultural or international settings.
After I graduate, my plans are to go to pharmacy school. Once I am
finished with pharmacy school, I plan to get a job in a retail pharmacy
where I can use my Spanish speaking abilities to help my patients and
clients to the best of my ability. I would love to be able to travel abroad,
whether it is for pleasure or for work, especially traveling to a less
fortunate country to help the local residents.