Cultural Immersion Project Part 1 Distant Encounter
1. What are some key things you’ve learned about this culture through reading the scholarly
literature? [about 300 words]
I learned first and foremost that I have a lot to learn about the Hispanic community in the
United States. I also learned that much of what I had accepted as true was based on
stereotypes or hearsay and not based on any real observation at all. Chapter 17 of the text,
Ethnicity and Family Therapy, was a wealth of insight into the largest subgroup of Hispanics
in the United States, the Mexicans. From the family structure to communication dos and
don’ts, the information sheds light on this unique people. Some of the most interesting
elements of the material were the following: The mother-son bond is considered the
strongest of family relationships. Second generation Mexicans in the United States are
placing more emphasis on the husband-wife relationship in the family structure. Mexican
parents demand “respeto” or respect from their children and never try to be their children’s
friend though they enjoy their company and have many family-centered traditions and rituals.
The term “machismo” does not entirely mean what Americans interpret as ‘macho” or one
who is always in control, never needing help, and more interesting in siring children than
raising them. This term actually also encompasses the quality of being ultimately responsible
for the well-being of the family. Both articles concentrated on the school counselor working
with Hispanic students. From these articles, I learned that Hispanic students have the
greatest dropout rate of any subgroup of school-aged persons at 20% or 1 out of 5 Hispanic
students. One article advocated using group counseling of Hispanic youths to build a sense
of ethnic pride and appreciation of culture and history. Statistics prove that Hispanics with a
strong sense of cultural identity do better academically and better avoid risky behaviors such
as drug use and gang involvement. In an article about preparing Hispanic seniors for college,
several cultural traits were observed: Action oriented, prefer advice over questioning,
focused on present, prefer structured, concrete approaches to problems, and look for shortterm goals with easily observable results. .
2. What are some key things you’ve learned about this culture through interacting with
internet websites, online papers, and other media sources related to the culture? [about
300 words]
Through the Internet website, El Mundo, I learned that Mexicans enjoy the same reporting
style that citizens of the United States enjoy. The newspaper is fashioned after the American
investigative reporting style and is complete with wonderful headlines, easy-access
organization, great photography and more. I was impressed with the scope of El Mundo and
enjoyed looking at the different focus groups targeted by the material-Spain, Hispanics living
in Europe, Hispanics living in the United States and South America. From this site I was
also able to view many video clips ranging from news coverage of elections to sporting
events and celebrities. I learned through both the Hispanic Committee and the Virginia
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that many resources are available to Mexicans living in
Virginia. Both sites showed great dedication, resourcefulness, and ingenuity. Both groups
are well organized and reflect a measure of success and progress made by Hispanics living in
Virginia and participating in the business and culture of the area. I also noted that though the
sites show some level of enculturation, they also maintain a level of ethnic identity and pride
in the Hispanic heritage. I also learned that Hispanics want to be informed and current with
the world and especially what is happening in the United States. I learned that there is a
spirit of celebration around the culture and history of Hispanic people. I am impressed with
the level of organization in place to help Hispanic families in American communities. I was
also impressed with the strong and direct involvement in quickly assessing needs and
challenges for Mexican families and individuals and putting “feet to prayers” by forming
community help and giving ready access to resources to help including legal and medical
information, as well as information about jobs, housing, and more.
3. Are there any current surprises in what you’re finding out about this culture? [about 100
words]
I am learning that though the Mexican subculture in the United States has a strong sense of
ethnic identity, that identity is becoming more and more diluted as second generation
Mexican-American residents are progressively adopting American values. This is evidenced
in the fact that second gens are placing more value on the husband-wife relationship than first
generation Mexicans traditionally have. Hispanic students largely report that their homes are
Spanish language only zones and the majority of Mexican students reported a preference for
being bilingual over speaking only English or Spanish. This reveals a strong sense of
Hispanic pride, though Mexican students often feel ostracized at school by others of Mexican
heritage.
4. How does your search through the literature and internet impact your expectations as you
plan your group immersion activities [about 200 words]
As I study the literature, internet sources, and observe my Mexican-American colleagues at
work, I realize that this subgroup is well-established in the United States and even in my
local rural area. I realize that Hispanics have joined together to provide many resources for
legal, financial, and educational help. I realize that though efforts by churches and other
institutions to help bring Hispanics into the mainstream, the negative effects of illegal
immigration especially at a time of such economic unrest are far-reaching and growing in
strength as well. I also realize through the reading that I have a lot to learn about the history
of Mexican immigration to this country and that there are many economic aspects and mixed
messages sent by the United States government that has caused much confusion and big
problems that have mushroomed even larger into this present day. I expect to learn more
about the struggles of illegal immigrants and the forces that have drawn them to this country.
I expect to learn more about the efforts by both the Mexican community and other groups to
bring Mexican-Americans into the larger American community while preserving a sense of
ethnic dignity and pride. Finally, I hope to learn more about positive ways to deal with the
challenges of serving Mexican students as a school guidance counselor.
5. In APA style, list the scholarly sources and internet/media sources that you used for this
part of the immersion project.
Sources
Estados Unidos : América : elmundo.es. (2011). Interstitial - elmundo.es. Englewood, CO.
Retrieved March 29, 2011, from http://www.elmundo.es/america/est
Hispanic Committee of Virginia (2010.).HCVA. Falls Church, VA. Retrieved March 29,
2011, from http://www.hcva.org/
Malott, K. M., Paone, T. R., Humphreys, K., & Martinez, T. (2010). Use of group counseling
to address ethnic identity development: Application with adolescents of Mexican
descent. Professional School Counseling, 13(5), 257-267.
Marsico, M., & Getch, Y. Q. (2009). Transitioning Hispanic seniors from high school to
college. Professional School Counseling, 12(6), 458-462.
McGoldrick, M., Giordano, J., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2005).Ethnicity and family therapy. New
York: Guilford Press
Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. (2010). Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Midlothian, VA. Retrieved March 29, 2011, from http://www.vahcc.com/