Copyright 2015
Understanding our differences
Relationships with others can be powerful!          
One-to-one connections can be a foundation for change in our world.
1) Video Interview-
MOVING TO a DIFFERENT COUNTRY
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Watch this video interview.
A woman tells her story of moving with her family from the United Kingdom to the United States. She gives advice about being respectful and open minded when meeting people that are not originally from your own country.
  • People are all different. We come from different parts of the world, different religions, different values, different traditions, different languages, different experiences, different resources, different interests... I could go on and on.
  • What makes us different is diversity. Diversity can have many advantages, but it can also cause problems if not approached with openness, understanding, mutual respect, and willingness to find common ground.
          
2) Relationships With People Different From Ourselves-
So how can you prepare to have a relationship with someone that is different from you?
1. First, you must understand your own culture.
What are/is your:
  • values, what is most valued in your culture?, How do you achieve respect?
  • customs, traditions, celebrations
  • mannerisms
  • beliefs on world views
  • beliefs on religion
  • work ethic
  • level of education or value of education
  • role in society/family, job
  • nationality
  • race, ethnicity
  • sexual identity
  • age
  • geographical location
  • socioeconomic level, available resources
2. Second, become aware of your own biases and stereotypes about other cultures.
- Try to figure out where this bias may have originated. Was it from your family, an event you experienced, something you heard, a friend's suggestion, something you read or saw on TV...?
3. Third, take time to learn about people from other cultures.
- Put yourself in their "shoes"; try to see life from their perspective.
- You don't have to change yourself, just become tolerant and understanding towards others.
  • Seek out opportunities to be around people that are different.
  • Listen to what they have to say. Be aware of different communication styles.
  • Ask questions to clarify information. Do not challenge them on their beliefs or values- just gather information.
  • Be aware of boundaries in physical space between you and conversation topics that may be too controversial at first.
  • Be aware that those that are first entering another culture, say an exchange student from Germany, may be stressed and frustrated as they learn to navigate a new environment. They may even focus on the negative of the new environment at first. Smile and offer to help.
  • If someone speaks a different language, remember to speak slowly, but unless they have hearing loss, you do not need to speak louder!

3)What would you do? 
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Think about how you would handle the following situation and share your thoughts with someone or click "share your work" in the navigation menu:

You are a teacher that has organized a group of students to come together to learn about their different cultures together and to discuss how to create a multicultural learning event for the school. You have an North American, an Israeli, a Vietnamese, a South American, and an Italian student.

Typically (but not always) students from these cultural areas tend to have slightly different ways of working in a group.
(From amse.org)
  • North Americans tend to be to the point and direct in making their point.
  • South Americans tend to think of past, present, and future as equally important when making decisions.
  • North Americans make decisions thinking more in the short term and sequentially as in taking steps.
  • Italians, South and North Americans show emotion when speaking, but this is not the case in Vietnam.
  • Vietnamese students are taught to wait until there is a silence before beginning to speak.
  • This probably doesn't mesh well with Italians whom fill the silence until they are interrupted, which is acceptable in most cases.
  • In Israel it is acceptable to challenge and debate a topic openly, where as in Vietnam this might be considered more rude in casual settings.
1. As the teacher what can you do to make sure all of these students feel comfortable and willing to speak?
2. Have you ever had an experience
getting to know someone from a different country and/or culture? Describe.