What’s up with culture
How does it feel?
Anticipation and Expectations Exercise
1. What are the two things that
you are most looking forward
to about studying abroad?
2. What are the two things that
currently worry you most about
going overseas?
3. My greatest single challenge
overseas will be….
Part I Culture: The Hidden Dimension
No culture is good or bad…just different
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historical patterns
values
societal arrangements
manners
ideas
ways of living
language
religion
politics
the arts
Do’s and Don’ts
THE
ICE
BERG
The Iceberg Exercise
holiday customs
paintings music
styles of dress
literature
food
facial expressions
eating habits
religious beliefs
notion of modesty
work ethic
values
concept of self
concept of fairness concept of beauty
nature of friendship
general worldview
importance of time
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
PAINTINGS
VALUES
FOOD
HOLIDAY CUSTOMS
CONCEPT OF BEAUTY
EATING HABITS
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
MUSIC
CONCEPT OF FAIRNESS
LITERATURE
NATURE OF FRIENDSHIP
NOTION OF MODESTY
IMPORTANCE OF TIME
CONCEPT OF SELF
STYLES OF DRESS
GENERAL WORLDVIEW
WORK ETHIC
There may be many cultural differences
between people that can cause
misunderstandings.
Some common areas of mis-understanding are:
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polite forms of language
idioms
questions
compliments
dress
social customs
responding to good and bad news
space
time
Cross-Cultural Dialogues
Lucky for Hassan
Arab values:
• avoiding shame and public embarrassment
(personal dignity, honor and reputation)
• cooperation and mutual support (family and
close friends)
U.S. values:
• Self-reliance and independence
• “to stand on your own feet”
• Individualism and then family
Wedding
Bells
Arab values:
• Emphasis on personal relationships
• Establishing rapport with people is essential to
successful business partnerships
• A Tight Schedule
U.S. values:
• Business and socializing are not to be mixed
• Importance of time (“time is money”)
BECOMING CULTURALLY AWARE. HOW?
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Learn as much as you can about the target culture, its history, politics,
traditions, value, and beliefs. Literature/Film
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Recognize that other people also play with their own and their group’s
identity.
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Think about how you respond to outsiders’ criticisms…?
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Study other people’s stereotypes about the U.S. and your own biases
and prejudices.
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Don’t allow cultural differences (preferences) to become the basis for
criticism and judgment. Differences are neither good nor bad – it is what
we do with them that makes a difference.
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Take time to listen and show interest in the other person.