Assignment 5:

For Assignment 5, we were given the opportunity to choose a chapter topic as well as a country we would like to visit. With this information, we had to make connections between our residential country and the country we seek to visit as it relates to our chosen chapter. My chapter topic was Culture and Emotion. My country of choice was France. I learned that France may be slightly less individualistic than the United States, as its people scored lower in all areas of intimacy expression including love commitment, disclosure maintenance, ambivalence, and conflict. Further research hypothesized that less emphasis may be placed on finding and catering to one partner, and placed more on family and community. I can relate this to Assignment 3, as I analyzed a study abroad students’ blog who traveled to France. I recall her discussing how France residents seemed to be more community-oriented than here in the U.S. Since I would like to travel there one day and may need to converse with its residents, it is imperative I know how their cultural dynamics work. The topic of emotion is no exception.

“U.S vs France”

I chose this image because research has shown that France has a slightly less emphasis on individuality in terms of intimacy expression. There is more of a focus on the group’s feelings and emotions rather than a single partner.

Assignment 3:

For Assignment 3, we were asked to choose a study abroad student and analyze their entries during their time in another country. We were also asked to choose topics discussed within our textbook and bring to life how those are represented within the student’s entries. I chose a student named Jay-ana King, and read about her adventure to Paris, France as I have always wanted to visit that area. Based on her journey, I learned about how different our values here in America are in comparison to those in France. As the student described, those who reside in France are more personable than we are here in America. For example, whenever someone walked into a store or restaurant, they often spoke to everyone and followed the same routine when they departed. I also admire their dedication to being eco-friendly, as the usage of plastic bags are rare. I made a personal connection with this assignment when I read one of Jay-ana’s entries about how she never traveled abroad before, and was nervous due to being somewhat introverted as well as how France citizens would perceive her as an African American woman. Reading about the experience of a study abroad student reminds me of when my World Literature and Cultures professor showcased a program that informed us on the culture of Latin Americans. I absolutely love learning about other cultures, and hope one day to travel or even study abroad.

“The Hall of Mirrors, taken by Jayana King”

I chose this picture to show one of the many beautiful aspects in Paris, France – the Hall of Mirrors located at the Château de Versailles showed in Jayana’s blog. At this location, the treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919.

Assignment #2:

For Assignment #2, we were given an article by Robert L. Kohls on the values he believes Americans tend to live by. This ranged from beliefs that Americans have control over their environment to beliefs that there will always be something better waiting in the future. I knew prior to this assignment that values like these were often followed, but this assignment helped me realize how we as Americans should really take a step back and evaluate what we tend to believe in.  My personal take on this assignment focused on the Action/Work Orientation. This “American” value assumes that we always expect one another to have a “no nonsense” attitude and to work as hard as we can each day. With this value, we are thought to look down upon taking breaks and even when doing so, must be a way to prepare ourselves to come back to work more productive. I found this to be personal in my life, as I am against working harder and not smarter and strongly believe that many Americans do follow this value on a very consistent basis. I support the equal balance of working and relaxing, as I stated in my assignment. The article used for this assignment reminds me of when I learned about nationalism in a previous course, and the belief that a country such as America is better than the next because often when Americans believe in these values, they frown upon Non-Americans who think differently.

https://www.quora.com/Is-it-fair-to-work-smart-and-not-work-hard

“Work Smarter, Not Harder”

I chose this image because it shows someone finding a different way to do the same job, yet working smarter. It does not seem to involve more stress placed on the individual to be more productive. The Action/Work Orientation discussed by Kohls in his article defines the American belief as working as hard as possible at all times. I believe in working smarter, not harder.