#4
I was unwell when assignment number 4 was due. I unfortunately was not allowed to make it up. Since it was taken down, I cannot write directly on what the assignment was about. I can say that the takeaway from not being able to complete the assignment is to communicate to the professor sooner when my chronic illness starts to effect my work. I believe it was related to gender and the media. Both men and women are set to high standards, though they can change depending on culture, I.e. Korean men tend to focus more on skin care than Americans.
#3
The assignment was an interesting way to apply how the culture of medicine has impacted the way we perceive and respond to the current pandemic. It was a great way to see how differently each culture has responded to the Covid outbreak, both in terms of following health guidelines and the feelings around them. Comparing an individualistic society such as the United States and a collective one showed how seemingly negative attributes such as a high regard for elders, putting the whole groups’ interests in front of your own, and over all trust in the government can be positive. This is shown in the lower transmission rates of these cultures. I also learned my own bias’s can change how I perceive others. I had an issue with perception bias during this assignment. As the author was obviously young, it caused me to be more judgmental in her interpretations of the events during her trip abroad. It brought a new awareness to myself that I need to watch for judgments based on age.
#2
Americans are known to many other cultures as being lazy. During this assignment, it was very interesting to learn that many other countries see us as work obsessed, or “workaholics”. I did not think of our typical conversation starter of “what do you do for work?” was seen so abnormal. It is interesting to look at other facets of our values, such as the concern for time management, and how those can factor together. A productivity obsessed culture as American would also be obsessed with time, since that is time lost. I have always been raised to live to work. Having a good job was always seen as the most important thing, and I can see how this value has pressured me, and many others, to spend time working instead of living. I chose this picture of relaxing outside with my dog, as this assignment has made me slowdown and enjoy just being.
