ATA1

Assignment one was about intercultural sensitivity. Intercultural sensitivity refers to how acceptable an individual is to cultural difference. The assignment required us to read an article about intercultural sensitivity, choose a stage of sensitivity that we identified with, and explain our reasons for identifying with that stage. The level of intercultural sensitivity that I chose was was the acceptance of difference stage. My key points for choosing the acceptance of difference stage included: my behavior, and how I applied my behavior to my daily life and work environment. The examples I used to explain my reasoning included: keeping an open mind with regard to people from different cultures, and attempting to understand the reason behind their choices. I also included debates and discussions with people in my major or related fields. Lastly I included the protests that I participated in and what I fight for regarding equality for all people.

This assignment helped me understand what the different stages of intercultural sensitivity meant, and specifically how people behaved in those different stages. This assignment also broadened my understanding of thought processes among people in situations where there is cultural difference. Lastly this assignment taught me to not to be judgmental of people who think or view things differently than I do. Assignment one was personally relevant to me because it helped me open up to people who may not know me through my writing, I pointed out my expectations for this course, and lastly I was able to express how I would like my semester to be in this course. I can and will continue to apply what I learned from this assignment in my daily life, in my courses which all require me to look at different cultures, and in a professional setting.

ATA2

Assignment two was about American values. Our instructions were to read an article about the most important values in American cultures, describe the value that was most important to oneself and support it with individual personal experiences. The value I chose was directness, openness, and honesty. I supported my choice by using my personal relationships with loved ones and my professional relationships at work and in the classroom. I also discussed what openness, directness, and honesty meant to me.

This assignment helped me realize that Americans do actually have a list of values that they live by. It is one thing to know what is valued by oneself, but individuals normally do not think about what is valued by the public in american culture. This assignment also helped me slow down and considered how I could potentially offend someone from another culture by being direct, open, and honest. Other cultures view the idea of being, open, direct, and honest as potentially threatening to the social order. Thus, being open, direct, and honest is considered disrespectful and an attempt to embarrass someone rather than showing respect for them and their position. This assignment was personally relevant to me because I learned something new reflected on my own character. I can apply what I learned in my personal life and professional life which is very beneficial for me and the people I encounter now and may encounter in the future.

ATA3

This assignment required us to read and analyze a student’s blog from studying abroad as well as relate to what was read in the text. I chose Bisi Oyelola’s blog because the location of her study abroad trip was in Accra, Ghana which is somewhere I have ever been. It was also shocking to know someone went to Africa for a study abroad trip. Africa is somewhere I plan to go one day, and a place I did not think study abroad trips occurred. In this assignment I discussed my reason for choosing her blog as well as the transition between her first blog post and her last. I also mentioned that her perspective reminded me of interdependent contrual of self due to the emphasis on famliy and what it means to be Ghanian. I also discussed what she learned while being in Ghana and her feelings towards Ghana before and after her study abroad trip.

I learned a lot by doing this assignment, and I am sure that I can apply it to my life. I plan to study abroad in Spain this summer for about three weeks. I did not pick the student that went to Spain, but I still feel less nervous about going there since I read Bisi’s blog. Bisi was nervous about being welcomed in Ghana, which is what worried me about Spain. I wonder if the citizens there are friendly towards tourists. Bisi’s blog taught me to expect the unexpected which is something I will apply to my life while in Spain, and in my daily life.

While reading Bisi’s blog, I also learned what it means to be patient. I struggle with having patience for anything that seems ridiculous to me. It sometimes causes a strain in my personal relationships with loved ones because I check out and become very nonchalant towards their reactions to my actions. Patience is something I want to have more of, and reading Bisi’s blog put me one step closer to that goal.

ATA4

    Assignment four was about how gender is portrayed in advertisements. We were tasked with finding 6-12 advertisement in North America and outside of North America. After finding those advertisements, we were instructed to compare them as well as discuss their effect on gender roles in society.

    The advertisements I chose were from Nivea, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, a magazine from the Middle East, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond; and American Apparel. Gucci as well as Dolce & Gabbana and American Apparel objectified women for sex, Nivea associated women with purity; Bed, Bath, and Beyond placed women in domestic work, and the magazine from the Middle East completely left women out of the engineering advertisement. Thus, I concluded that all six of those advertisements placed women in traditional gender roles and promoted the idea that women are objects, not suited for work, and controlled by a male presence.

    This assignment made me realize how much influence the media has on society through promotion of traditional roles. It also made me realize how much women are sexually objectified for the purpose of promoting a product; that is the true meaning of the phrase “sex sells.” I can relate to this assignment; when in North Carolina with my husband, a United States Marine, I am expected to take care of our home which included cleaning, preparing dinner while also completing school work. I am also tasked with taking care of any paperwork that needs to be done when he is not around. Doing domestic work is not a burden for, but if I skip a day; consequently, he will have to come home and take of it. He does not complain, but I know it does not please him to come home and complete tasks that I am expected to complete.

    I can and will apply what I learned from this assignment to my life, by recognizing what people think I should be doing without allowing their thoughts on traditions to control the decisions I make.

                                                                      ATA5

          The instructions for assignment five were to choose a country and chapter, then find an article related to the country and chapter chosen. The country I chose to write about was Spain. I chose Spain because I plan on studying abroad there this summer. The chapter I chose was gender. I was curious about how gender affected the view of women in Spain with regard to possessing leadership positions. There was also a comparison between gender stereotypes and how they are expressed between Spain and the United States. The comparison between the two countries was supported by statistics. Reasons for gender inequality in Spain were also provided in the assignment.

           This assignment made realize that gender inequality still exists today just as much as it did in the past; however, it is expressed in different ways with the same reasoning behind it. I learned a little bit about the culture in Spain through the lens of women. This assignment also opened to my eyes to how prejudice the professional world can be for women not only in the United States, but Spain as well. As a result of what I learn I was able to think of ways to provide support for gender equality around the world.

          This assignment was personally relevant to me because as stated before I am studying abroad in Spain this summer. I will apply what I learned from this assignment to my study abroad trip as well as my professional life. I will be mindful of how my social media accounts present who I am as a student and a professional employee.