ATA  4

After completing this assignment, I learned the importance of representation of gender roles in advertisements. How a culture represents  gender can reveal the stereotypes gender have among a culture. For my assignment, I chose to compare different advertisements from Northern America and the Middle East. I have found many differences amongst the two. I learned that American women are portrayed to me independent in ads , while Middle Eastern women, were seen as obedient and weaker than man. This assignment was very relevant to me, not only because I am an American, but because I am a woman as well. As an American woman I exercise my rights to be independent. I am a single mother that does not depend on a man for income and does not limit myself to the social norm. It was very interesting to see that over time, men were seen less “macho” in American ads.

ATA 3

After completing Assignment 3, I was able to see an American student’s experience studying abroad. I read the blogs of a student named, Nora Walsh-Battle. She was studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan. This assignment has great significance to me because I never travel abroad with out my family. Reading her blogs helped me realize the traveling to another country was indeed possible. It was very interesting to see the transition of Nora’s attitude in her blogs. I enjoyed her detailed description of her time in Japan an the many pictures she added to her bogs. I have reflected on my own life and I have seriously considered traveling. I really want to make my phobia of traveling alone disappear. In fact, I am planning to take the “New York bus” to NYC as a first step!

ATA2

Assignment 2, “Who influenced you most?” helped me realize how certain individuals I encounter in my life can affect my  personal growth. My experiences with people in different areas of my life, whether it was a friend, relative , or professional acquaintances have had a large impact on the decisions I have made. For example, growing up in “broken family” inspired me to want more and do better for my children. Throughout my life I have always wanted to help others, which is why I am pursuing a degree in Psychology. I believe events is my life have fueled my passion to make a difference. I can only thank those in my life who have influenced me along the way!

ATA1

After completing assignment one, I learned about how high my level of Intercultural Competency was. I completed the Intercultural Competency Survey, which I scored very high. Assignment one helped me reflect on past experiences, that were very trying and pushed me to think outside the box. I reflected on my relationship of a former coworker of mine and how we had many differences, such as age and race. We didn’t let our backgrounds drive a wedge between us, instead we reconciled our differences. Now we have a friendship that will last a lifetime!