American Values Assignment Takeaway #2

Assignment #2 dealt with choosing one of thirteen values identified as core American values. The value I chose was the “Self-Help Concept”. This concept puts a heavy importance on one’s own hard work and self-motivation.This value is personally relevant to me, because I learned that I have adopted this value alongside the way I personally live life. Ambition also easily couples with this value. I have been described as an ambitious person and find ways to get a head start or advance myself whether it be through extra curricular activities, academics, or occupational advancements. In looking more at this value, I also saw the major downside of this, especially with mental health or when in less than ideal circumstances. In the past when I began having issues with my own mental health, I would withdraw myself and attempt to deal with it on my own. This caused these issues to progress and worsen my mental health state. After hitting several breaking points, I took the initiative to reach out and talk to someone else. They did not necessarily fix my problems, but they were key to dealing with the issues I had and bettering myself. From this assignment, I learned that it is normal as an American to value the work a person does on their own and respect those who have bettered themselves of their own volition. Reflecting back on it, the value chosen for the assignment emphasizes my role as a student to build myself up for a better future.

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This image was chosen because it shows the two sides to the value of the “Self-Help Concept”. It is wonderful for a person as it places great importance on hard and determination, but, conversely, it can be a detriment when one really needs outside help for whatever situation they are in.

Intercultural Sensitivity Assignment Takeaway #1

In doing this assignment, I learned about the different levels of intercultural sensitivity and was able to identify which level I am currently at. I identified most with the stage of acceptance. This assignment impacts my personal life as it was an honest reflection of where I was in the stages of intercultural sensitivity and it gives a goal to get to the final stage. In realizing that I had not achieved the most mature level of intercultural sensitivity, it has altered my way of interacting with others. As I continue to meet new people and learn more about them and the culture they come from, I am able to have more open, collaborative interactions with them. This progression towards a high level of intercultural sensitivity can be applied to any situation, especially in my social and occupational life. Socially, it encourages the need to actively seek out those with other cultures and take the initiative to understand it and possibly integrate certain aspects that I like into my own unique personal culture. As my occupation will be nursing in the future, it is important when working with both patients and coworkers that I am able to work collaboratively while respecting others and their viewpoints.

https://www.istockphoto.com/no/photos/iceberg?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=iceberg

The image of an iceberg was chosen as it visualizes how we only see a fraction of what is actually there. Much like my understanding of people’s cultures and how they make each person unique, I am only able to accept these differences. I must take into account the entirety of the person just like how this picture encapsulates the entire iceberg.