Intercultural Communication
Service Learning Paper
Submitted by:
Wendy Rutherford
December 10, 2011
Submitted to:
Tamra K. Phillips, M.S.
COMM 2150-002
Department of Communication
Salt Lake Community College
Community Partner:
For my service learning project, I volunteered at the BeeHive Home for Senior Citizens.
The contact information is listed below:
BeeHive Homes
Connie Sperry, Care Director
BeeHive Homes
711 East Pioneer Road, Draper, Utah
801-495-3100
Email: indigoblue42@hotmail.com
Project
The first BeeHive assisted living home was built by Mr. Twayne Walker in 1987 in Meridian,
Idaho. This idea was based on the concept that the elderly deserve a comfortable, clean, and
affordable family style home when they reach a point where they need assisted care. Many assisted
living homes do not provide a pleasant atmosphere where residents can live happily and the cost of
most facilities is out of reach for many of the elderly and their families. BeeHive is a beautiful
family style home for those who need assisted care.
As a volunteer, my goal was to incorporate some activities that would enhance the daily
lives and bring companionship, joy, and happiness to some of the residents at the BeeHive Home.
I soon realized that I could make a bigger difference by limiting my time to a few residents rather than
trying to incorporate activities for all of the residents.
For most of my volunteered time, I visited with Gene McClary, an 81 year old retired
electrical engineer who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2011. The doctors removed the
tumor and he came to live at the BeeHive Home for assistance in his recovery. His mind is very
keen; however, his frail physical body does not allow him to live life as he would like to. His wife
passed away about 18 months ago and he has three adult married children. He receives one visit a
week from his daughter that lives in Utah. He feels that he is capable of living on his own, but his
children feel that he is safer to remain at the BeeHive Home. It makes him sad and frustrated that he
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cannot live on his own.
One of his passions is to garden. For one of my visits, I purchased 18 flowers and pots for
each of the BeeHive residents. My family, along with Gene and a few other residents from BeeHive,
planted each of them and then we assisted Gene with delivering them to each of the residents. It was
such a wonderful experience for my entire family. Even my children commented on how it made
them feel good to see Gene feel important and also to see each face light-up as Gene handed them a
potted flower.
Cultural Group:
At the BeeHive Home, I visited with senior citizens (approximate ages of 70-90) who live a
very slow paced life and are all extremely lonely. Even though they have each other, none of them
seem to seek out those relationships. They are no longer in the work force or living in a busy family
lifestyle. All of the residents at BeeHive are challenged with health issues which adversely affects
many aspects of their choices and quality of life.
Challenges
One of my biggest challenges was to find activities that the senior citizens could do
physically, mentally, and find enjoyment in doing. My original plan was to do activities for a group
of residents; however, BeeHive already provides this once a week and only a handful of interested
individuals attend. I then decided to focus my time on visiting one or two of the resident’s. My
other challenge was to find the time in my busy schedule to make this a part of my weekly routine. I
have been able to do this, but sometimes it has required me to juggle a few other activities for my
children.
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Theory
I would like to apply the dialectical approach to my service learning project. The dialectical
approach combines the three approaches of social science, interpretive, and critical; however, it
also recognizes that these three approaches are interconnected and sometimes contradictory.
The social science approach helps us to “describe and predict behavior” (Phillips, 2011,
p. 31). Specific communication and cultural differences might create different views of the world.
If we understand these differences better, it can help make it easier to interact with those of other
cultures and possibly even help predict intercultural conflicts.
The interpretive perspective allows us to “describe and understand behavior” (Phillips, 2011,
p. 31). This helps us to see our own culture. This perspective gives us an opportunity to confirm
what we predicted in a hypothetical social science study.
In the critical approach, we try to “describe and change behavior” (Phillips, 2011, p. 31). It’s
important to recognize that the cultures access to financial, political, and material resources affect
their experiences. If we can change some of the unfair ideas that we have about other cultures, it will
help us gain more equality.
“A dialectical approach requires that we move beyond simply acknowledging the
contributions of the three perspectives and accept simultaneously the assumptions of all three”
(Martin & Nakayama, 2010. p.73). This approach is based on the assumption that human behavior is
predictable, creative and changeable. Rather than choose any one of these approaches, a
dialectical approach emphasizes the processual, relational, and contradictory nature of intercultural
communication.
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“Processual refers to how interaction happens rather than to the outcome” (Martin &
Nakayama, 2010. p.72). The way people adapt, communication, and other patterns are continually
changing (dynamic). We know that individuals change, which in turn, means that the cultures
will change as well.
A dialectical perspective also emphasizes the relational aspect of intercultural
communication. It looks closely at the relationship and “the importance of viewing these holistically
rather than in isolation” (Martin & Nakayama, 2010. p.72). If we look at the different cultural
group’s values, beliefs, histories, wealth available, etc., it helps us to have a better understanding of
the culture.
A third characteristic of the dialectical perspective “involves holding contradictory ideas
simultaneously” (Martin & Nakayama, 2010. p.72). This is opposite of how the culture in the United
States currently thinks, which is to emphasize dichotomous thinking (such as “good and evil, “far and
near”, “high and low”, “long and short”, etc.).
There are six dialectics that characterize intercultural communication. In the CulturalIndividual Dialectic, it points out that we share communication patterns with members of the groups
that we belong to; however, we also have completely idiosyncratic (particular to one person and no
one else) patterns as well.
The Personal-Contextual Dialectic emphasizes that we need to focus simultaneously on the
person and the context in order to fully understand intercultural communication.
In the Differences-Similarities Dialectic, it shows that within a culture, we share the same and
yet we also have differences in values, language, nonverbal behavior, conflict resolution, etc..
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The Static-Dynamic Dialectic recognizes that some patterns remain relatively the same
(static); however, other patterns change over time (dynamic) within our cultural group. In order to
understand intercultural communication, we must recognize both the static and dynamic aspects of all
relations.
In the History/Past-Present/Future Dialectic, it reveals that in order to understand
intercultural communication, we need to focus simultaneously on the past and the present.
The Privilege-Disadvantage Dialectic identifies that within in the same cultural group, we
recognize that people may be privileged in some contexts and disadvantaged in other contexts.
The dialectical approach is not a specific theory; however, “it is a lens through which to view
the complexities of the topic” (Martin & Nakayama, 2010. p.76). This approach allows us to look at
the issues and ideas from different angles, have contradicting ideas, but always attempt to see things
in a processual, relational, and holistic way.
Analysis
To illustrate the Cultural-Individual Dialectic, I noticed that within this cultural group, there
are many traits that are shared. Many of them love listening to the radio rather than watching the
television; they all love to listen and sing to music from the 1940-1960’s; they all love to reminisce
about their lives when they were between the ages of 20-50; they all having failing physical bodies;
and they all love visitors from outside of the BeeHive home.
However, I also learned that there were also many idiosyncratic patterns as well. There is a
woman who loves for someone to read to her, while the others would rather read on their own. There
is one woman who seems to be extremely happy and joyful over everything, while the others seem
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more frustrated with their lifestyle and limited choices. There are few residents that still have very
keen minds; however, the majority of them have failing minds as well as failing physical bodies.
To show how the Privilege-Disadvantage Dialectic applies, I saw within this cultural group
that many of them are privileged in that they all have a maid service that clean their rooms, make
their beds and even do their laundry. They have a cook that fixes all of their meals and does all the
dishes. They have unlimited free time to do whatever they would like to.
However, they are disadvantaged in that their failing health and/or failing minds limits their
choices for living the life that they would like to. They are unable to drive anywhere, unable to eat
certain things due to medical issues, unable to do the activities that they have a passion for, and most
importantly, they are unable to constantly be around those that they love.
To demonstrate the Static-Dynamic Dialectic, I recognized that some patterns remained
relatively the same; however, other patterns changed over time. I learned that all of them had
discovered and developed passions/patterns throughout their lives. Many of them just loved being
with their families, loved to cook for friends and family, loved music, loved to dance, loved to play
an instrument, loved to golf, loved farming and or gardening, loved to read, loved to crochet/knit and
many more activities. Some of these patterns and passions have remained static in that they are still
an important part of their lives and they are still able to enjoy them.
However, some patterns have been modified and others have been completely deleted from
their lives. Their deteriorating health plays a significant part in the dynamic aspects in their lives.
For many of them, arthritis in their hands has made it impossible for some of them to crochet/knit and
their limited physical strength has affected their ability to golf, dance, and/or farm. Therefore, they
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have been forced to abandon these patterns altogether. To help us understand this culture more, we
must recognize both the static and dynamic aspects of all their lives.
Viewing this culture through the dialectic approach has enabled me to view different aspects
of the culture from different angles. I like how this approach focuses more on the process of the
interactions rather than the outcomes (processual). People do constantly adapt and change (dynamic)
which then affects the entire culture as illustrated above. It’s been fascinating for me to closely look
at each person’s values, beliefs, histories, etc. (relational). This helped me understand that their
history/past has influenced who they are today. It was interesting to see how they are similar in many
ways, yet different in other ways (contradictory). I believe that being able to hold contradictory ideas
simultaneously is very important in attempting to understand a culture more.
Reflection
The first few times that I visited the BeeHive home, I was very uncomfortable. I felt like an
intruder. I was nervous about finding things to talk about, making others feel comfortable, and
wondering if they were really even interested in my visits. I didn’t know if I was really going to be
able to make a positive difference in any of their lives.
My uncomfortable feelings slowly dissipated as I got to know a few of the residents and
particularly, Gene McClary. I discovered that he loves to reminisce about his past when he first
met his wife and began his family, he loves to talk about his children and grandchildren and their
accomplishments, and he loves to share his knowledge of holistic health ideas. He loves just to have
someone to talk to.
I have found it very rewarding to visit and interact with this culture. It has been interesting to
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learn more about each of their histories, their individual philosophies of life, their passions and their
families. In learning about each of them, I have learned more about myself. I have a deeper sense of
appreciation for my quality of health, the many choices available to me each day, the relationships
that I enjoy on a daily basis with my children/family, and the pain free, healthy lifestyle that I enjoy
every day.
Being involved in this service project has helped remind me of the importance of Civic
Engagement. I do feel a sense of personal responsibility to make a difference in my community by
positively affecting the quality of life for others. I feel that I have added some joy, companionship,
and happiness to a few of the residents at the BeeHive Home. As for Gene, our friendship will
remain and I plan to continue visiting him on a regular basis.
References
Martin, J. N. & Nakayama, T. K. (2010). Intercultural Communication in Contexts (5th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill
Phillips, T. K. (2011). Intercultural Communication Course Packet.
WENDY RUTHERFORD
Com 2150—Intercultural Communications
Service Learning Proposal
Community Partner
The contact information for my project is as follows:
BeeHive Homes
Connie Sperry, Care Director
Stan Ketcher, General Manager/Owner
Activities with Senior Citizens living at a Senior Living Home
711 East Pioneer Road, Draper, Utah
801-495-3100
Project Plan
I will volunteer at the BeeHive Senior Citizen’s Home by assisting with already planned activities as well as planning
and organizing other activities for the 15 senior citizens living at the BeeHive Home. Some of the activities that I
plan on doing are as follows: paint the women’s fingernails, card making, bingo, and bowling. I will volunteer at the
BeeHive Home on Fridays or Saturdays from 3:15-4:15 pm. I start working at the BeeHive Home on September 16,
2011.
Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement means that I recognize that I am a member of a larger group and I feel a sense of personal
responsibility to work at making a difference in my community by promoting the quality of life for others.
Personal Cultures
I am a healthy, middle-aged, divorced woman living a very busy, active, and full life. I work full time for the State of
Utah. I have three children (ages 16, 13 and 10) who are involved in extracurricular activities (sports and dance).
My evenings and weekends are very busy transporting them to and from their practices and activities. I volunteer in
my youngest child’s 5th grade class as the Art Docent once a month where I teach the children about a famous artist
and a specific art technique. I am also a student at SLCC working on completing my General Education
Requirements. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, biking, horses, reading, movies, and crafts. I choose to live fairly
conservative, but I make a conscious effort to be open-minded and accepting of different choices that others may
choose (as long as it is not adversely affecting others).
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Service Learning Proposal
WENDY RUTHERFORD
Culture Groups
I will be working with senior citizens who live a very slow paced life, many of whom are probably very lonely. They
are no longer in the work force or living in a busy family lifestyle. I’m anticipating that many will be challenged with
health issues which adversely affect many aspects of their choices and quality of life.
Challenges
I feel that I will have two main challenges. I’m expecting that my biggest challenge will be to find activities that the
senior citizens will be able to do physically and mentally and will find enjoyment in doing. My other challenge will
be to find and make the time in my busy schedule.
Benefits
I’m excited to learn about their lives, their philosophy of life and their passions. In doing so, I will learn more about
myself and have a deeper sense of appreciation for the quality of life which I am currently living and enjoying. I
hope that I can incorporate some activities that will enhance their daily lives and that will bring them some joy and
happiness.