I will be studying abroad at the University of Birmingham, England where there are around 35,000 students enrolled. The University of Birmingham has a very large population of college students, creating a sort of ‘college-town’ setting. With that said, there will be many continuous opportunities to meet new people of all different cultures. The book Maximizing Study Abroad talks about how different interactions with people will have an impact on you cultural experience, for example they talk specifically about dating, politics, history and values. The book emphasizes that dating someone from a different culture may be a truly unique experience and may form a built-in cultural informant which can possibly result in a long-lasting friendship. It may also be difficult to date someone from the host culture because the traveler may only be fond of the United States dating customs whereas the partner from the host culture is bringing their societies dating cultures and values into the picture. The different dating cultural customs can create embarrassing moments, laughter or chaos if social cues are not perceived as they should be. The book Maximizing Study Abroad challenges the reader to think about the social norms of dating in the United States and compare them to another society’s perceptions cultural dating. Aspect of dating may be considering the difference between what’s considered a ‘date’ and ‘just hanging out’. Also to think about who initiate a date and is it should be in a private setting or a more public setting. What I think the biggest difference between dating in different cultures is the amount of physical contact that is seen in public environments. In the United States, there is not as much physical contact in public settings whereas is may be normal for people to kiss on public in another country. The book also asks to consider the different ties in politics, values and history. Being an American, residents abroad may view me differently because our political views may be widely different from one another. Also, the media stereotypes might affect how I am viewed as a potential partner, as mentioned in the book. Being an American living in a different country, there will be stereotypes but only to an extent. England is an English speaking country, although they talk with a British accent and tend to use different slang terms that we do not use here in the United States. I will be going to a large college campus so even though I may be going to another country, college students still act as typical students being they want to enjoy themselves and are always open to meeting new people regardless of their cultural identity.
Blog Post – The Great Exhibition of 1851
On the 1st day of May in 1851, The Great Exhibition opened at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London. Sir Joseph Paxton was an English botanist and architect who designed the enormous 19-acre Crystal Palace where the Great Exhibition took place. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert was the brain work behind this world wide exhibition that was designed to prove a showcase for the “world’s most advanced inventions, manufactures and works of art” (BBC History, 2014) at the time. Although Prince Albert was the driving force behind this event, equal amount of praise for organizing the remarkable event is owed to Henry Cole, as well. Henry Cole held the day job of an assistant record keeper at the Public Records Office, although his résumé also consisted of writing, editing and publishing journals. As a council member of the Society of Arts In 1846, Henry Cole was introduced to Prince Albert whereas, together, they received a Royal Carter for the society and then changed its name to the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce. The society held relatively small sized exhibitions to consistently promote their cause, the government of their day held little interest in the concept of an exhibition though Henry and Albert continued to develop their idea. They intended it to be for All Nations, the greatest collection of art in industry, “for the purpose of exhibition of competition and encouragement” (Historic UK, 2019) while also generating enough income to finance itself. The Great Exhibition included every prodigy of the Victorian era such as pottery, ironwork, furniture, perfumes, pianos, firearms, fabrics, hydraulic presses and even the odd house or two. The original aim of the event was to celebrate the art in industry for the benefit of All Nations, though it happened to be more of a showcase for British manufacturing as more than half the 100,000 exhibits displayed with from Britain or the British Empire. In addition to the successful event, the opening of the Great Exhibition had coincidentally occurred during the same time as another great innovation of the Industrial Revolution. The massive amounts of people who came to visit the Great Exhibition used the new railway lines that opened in 1850, which had nearly 7,000 miles of track linking London with the towns throughout the country of the Midlands and the North. Spanning five summer months from May 1st, 1851 – October 15th, 1851 and attracting nearly six million visitors through the crystal palace doors, Britain had advertised a message to the rest of the world. The Great Exhibition aimed to exceed their superiority that their exhibition must be bigger and better than anything France could organize, while also marking the peak of British economic dominance. The Great Exhibition symbolized the success and achievement that Britain had after the Industrial Revolution & that they were to become a prevailing 19th century constituent.
Blog Post – Cultural Foods
England is home to the popular, iconic and treasured dish called Fish & Chips which is made with crispy cod or haddock fish fried in batter and paired with chips (french fries) that are fried twice in the classic manner and served with malt vinegar, lemon &/or tartar sauce. Fish & chips is a common dish that is known as “Britain’s favorite take out food” (The Spruce Eats, 2019). Stemming back to religion, fish and chips has become the traditional dish to consume on Friday night suppers. Refraining from eating animal red meat on Fridays is known as the Friday fast, practiced by those of the “Christian religion in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Methodist Churches” (FineCooking, 2019). . Followers of the faith traditionally refrain from eating red meat on Fridays as part of a penance to mark the day of Christ’s death. In the 1950s, the standard meal on Friday consisted of macaroni & cheese, tuna noodle casserole or fish sticks. Although the rule is loosely followed today, meat abstinence and Friday night fish fry is still commonly practiced among many traditions. With that said, another traditional dish from the United Kingdom is called bangers and mash, consisting of sausages made with pork, lamb or beef paired with mashed potatoes and usually topped with a rich gravy. The name of these British sausages ‘bangers’ originates from the early 20th century during the time of World War I. Sausages were a popular dish among the British working class, though when the war broke out in 1914 meat was in a drastic short supply. To continue productivity and accustom the meat they did have, cheap fillers and a high amount of water were used in sausages “which caused them to pop and explode rather violently in the cooking pan” (Noble Hops, 2019), resulting in the establishment of the name ‘bangers’. Today, this dish is often served in pub style restaurants and is one of the UK’s most popular meat-based dishes. What I found interesting is that I have never heard of the dish bangers and mash until researching it; although fish is a popular food of choice in the English traditions, it is found to be very common here in the United States where bangers and mash doesn’t seem to be served anywhere in the United States. Following the common Friday night fish and chips meal, bangers are the most consumed food on Saturdays in the UK more than any other day of the week, according the article History of Bangers & Mash by Noble Hops. Fish & chips and bangers & mash are some of the most popular, traditional meals in the United Kingdom. I have researched and tried both meals myself which I can say they are both very appetizing, pungent meals. I look forward to experiencing all the great food options that England has to offer that are not common here in the United States.
Cultural Event – Vegan Food Tasting
The Center for Global Education is holding a “Sustaining the Globe” Program, aiming to inform the campus of North Central College about the importance of sustainability in our world, hoping to influence students to make an ever-lasting impact on the world we live in today. The campus of North Central College is holding events for global education all week long. I attended the Vegan Food Tasting held in Jefferson Lounge, which talked about the environmental impacts from food choices that people make. Participants with given different cultural sample vegan treats that are tasty & healthy alternatives to a meat centered diet. I was able to try chocolate milk that was made with peas and hemp-based protein bars and cold brew coffee, all of which were essentials for a plant-based diet found in multiple different cultures around the world. The goal of this event was to introduce students to vegan-based products adapted from other cultures and inform them about how a vegan diet can be much more beneficial for our environment than the common, meat-centered diet. Their goal being to influence students here at North Central College to explore out of their comfort zone and join other cultures with the mission of sustaining the globe that we live in today. Being that I will be studying abroad in the fall, I have become more intrigued in learning about different cultures, and the cultural events held around campus were a great way to introduce students to the norms of different cultures around the world.
Blog Post – News Highlights in Birmingham
The game of football is diverse, with varying degrees of overlap and distinctiveness in each country, though this sport is global most locals of England consider it part of the culture. There are constant updates in the local newspapers with recent information about what’s going on in the football world. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a public service broadcaster located in Westminster, London, with all the latest news, sports, weather, TV & radio highlights in the British culture. I read in a recent news article from BBC Sports that the Manchester City Football Club has recently signed England Striker, Ellen White to a two-year contract from their fellow Women’s Super League side, Birmingham City. This recent signing has caught the attention of many British locals because of the talent that Ellen White will bring to the city of Manchester, England. Ellen White has been named to “England’s squad” (a football association) for this summer’s Women’s World Cup in France. Birmingham’s general manager Sarah Westwood stated that “[Ellen White] is a hard-working professional, who is so well respected in the game; we wish her all the best in her new chapter and, of course, with her endeavors in France this summer for England” (Birmingham City Football Club). Leoh Ming Pei (L. M. Pei) is an American-Chinese architect who was born in Guangzhou, China in 1917 & moved to the United States at the age of 18. L. M. Pei studied at Pennsylvania, MIT & Harvard University Graduate School of Design. During World War Two, L. M. Pei worked as a research scientist for the United States government and later went on to work as an architect, founding his own firm in 1955. Being one of the 20th Century’s most influential architects, he’s designed municipal buildings, hotels, school and other notable structures across the nation. Another recent article from the BBC News talked about the passing away of architect L. M. Pei at 102 years of age. L. M. Pei’s designs are “renowned for their emphasis on precision geometry, plain surfaces and natural light” (BBC). One of his most famous masterpieces, Pei has designed the large glass and metal Louvre Pyramid in Paris. Tributes continue to pour in, remembering L. M. Pei for a lifetime achievement of designing iconic structures worldwide.
Journal Entry 5
The varying nonverbal communication, gestures and patterns is something that is fall overlooked in different cultures languages. Nonverbal communication varies along different cultures and understanding the different patterns and meanings associated with silence and pauses can make for a successful study abroad experience. By successfully understanding and using nonverbal communication, a person may be able to thoroughly express what they really mean, connect better with others and build stronger overall relationships and networks while abroad. Many cultures have a higher regard for silence in communication encounters. For example, in many Asian and Chinese cultures, what is not said is regarded as important and lulls in conversations are considered restful, friendly, reflective and appropriate. In the United States, there is very little respect for lengthy periods of time during which not much is said. With that said, if there is a long pause in a conversation, it could be considered as awkward or uncomfortable and it won’t take much time for another person to continue or pickup the conversation. In the Maximizing Study Abroad book, there is an activity where you are to observe and make sense out of nonverbal communication. I chose to observe 3 different college students (two males, one female) talking at Kaufman Dining Hall about their upcoming exams. While observing, I was able to notice that they were all good friends and were making passive/casual eye contact throughout the conversation. Building off of the fact that they are good friends and comfortable with each other, I noticed that they were close to one another’s personal space. Another form of nonverbal communication I observed was the varying tone of voice to get louder when excited about something particular, or the fact that they would tend to interrupt each other often. Other typical patterns I noticed was the use of hand gesture and body language, which really amplified the emotions of each, and overall the tension of stress for exams in the conversation. Observing the college students here in the United States may be very different than the observations I would notice in another culture, such as the Asian or Chinese cultures. One can learn a lot about the situation from observing the verbal and nonverbal forms of communication together. I found it very interesting to learn about how many cultures communication primarily involve the interpretation of different gestures and lulls. A substantial portion of communication is nonverbal and these nonverbal gestures and patterns have a big impact on the message one is trying to convey.
Journal Entry 4
The Maximizing Study Abroad book defines context cultural dimension as identifying and understanding low- and high-context communication. Learning how to distinguish between low- and high-context messages will help inform on how to better observe and interpret different social situations. Being able to decide whether communication is low- or high-context, this will help one be able to exemplify their own communication style. People of different cultures and countries communicate in different ways and recognizing different communication styles isn’t about the level of one’s language fluency, though it is about understanding different communication styles through interpretation of context. Low-context communication is one that holds low reliance on cues from context. People tend to be straight-forward and use verbal language to express their emotions or meanings. For example, the United States uses low-context communication because people are more direct and sincere. The United States is a very diverse country with many different cultural backgrounds and with that said, Americans have a tendency to rely heavily on verbal communication and to be explicit. The United Kingdom also uses low-context communication, meaning that they tell people what they need to know in order to understand them. In a low-context situation, people do not assume understanding will come automatically from the situation, the context, or the person we are speaking with. Although the non-verbal communication style is important in a low-context situation, the verbal or written message is found to be even more important. On the opposite side of the spectrum is the high-context communication style, where there is a high reliance on cues from the context. A high-context communication style is used by cultures that depend on social cues to get their message across. With that said, there is a higher reliance on nonverbal communication where people pay more attention to the situation, the environment and who they are communicating with. For example, Japan and China are found to use high-context communication where they don’t have to worry so much about explaining every detail about something, people will just understand their meaning from the context of the situation. Non-verbal cues are highly important for conveying meaning in high-context cultures, rather than having to thoroughly explained through verbal or written communication. If a student from the United States were to study abroad in Japan, they would have a more difficult time communication in social situation because they depend on a heavy practice of high-context communication. A student from the United States studying abroad in the United Kingdom would have a much easier transition because people of the United Kingdom are known to socialize in low-context communication style situations. Being able to understand the aspects of both low- and high-context communication can help one when attempting to communicate in cross cultural dimensions.
Winston Churchill Timeline
Blog Post – Music Review
In 1960 out of the city of Liverpool, England, the global cynosure band of four formed and began what would soon become one of the most influential and impacting British rock bands to ever walk this planet. Being one of the most popular band of all time, The Beatles were a English rock band that had a significant influence on the 60s popular culture. Making their debut in America, the media claimed this integration between the two nations the “British Invasion”, which had a lasting impact on this era of rock n’ roll. Paul McCartney was the face of The Beatles, known for his ability to blend the two aspects of commercial art and creative music to derive music that was unique and irresistible. In the middle of a decade full of political and social strife, The Beatles provided a their contemporaries for peace, love and rock n’ roll with a hint of rebellion. Paul McCartney was born in 1942, & developed a lifelong love affair for music early on, teaching himself to learn multiple instruments by ear such as the Spanish guitar, trumpet and piano. Being a co-founder of the Beatles, John Lennon was a brilliant songwriter, singer, artist and outspoken political peace activist. John Lennon dropped out of college to pursue his passion for music, he formed the Quarrymen which featured Paul McCartney and George Harrison and eventually formed into what’s better known as the Beatles. Together, Paul McCartney and John Lennon were musical artist that formed a much-celebrated songwriting partnership. Ringo Starr later joined the Beatles as their drummer and was well known for amplifying his great heart and sole, wit and wisdom into his drumming talents. One of the worlds brightest musical influences, Ringo Starr was a successful drummer, singer, songwriter, collaborator and producer who has released 18 solo studio albums to date. The Beatles then joined forces with George Harrison who was a film producer who achieved international face as the Beatles lead guitarist. The Beatles were the most famous celebrities of their day and the most successful songwriters of their age, while ultimately being the most beloved band of all time. The Beatles had a profound impact and still continued to influence generations, not only were they the most creative single force to ever hit popular music but they also forever positively altered the way that music is made.
Journal 3
To make a distinction between cultural rules and norms, The Peace Corps Cross-Cultural Workbook has defined three terms that differentiate culture from personal and universal. Cultural norms refers to what a group of people have in common with each other & what differentiates them from other groups. Personal norms refer to differences that individuals hold within a group. Universal norms refer to the similarities that all groups have in common. It is important that one understands these concepts to make educated distinctions between a cultural, personal or more universal norm in different social situations while studying abroad. Many cultures have different preferences and recognizable patterns or behaviors. I thought it was very intriguing how different cultures normalities have mainly become something that they’ve adapted from historical roots. Awareness of cultural patterns helps figure out ones of perceptions of events and adaptation strategies in different social situations. The most successful way to carry out this idea is based on observation; one is to try and observe behaviors in different situations and watch for reactions to look how they are perceived by others. This is a very smart strategy plan for one to adapt to their host culture, but I think that it would be harder than perceived. I am convinced this would take a great time to get used to ones host culture and the norms that they practice. It would be very difficult to observe a host culture just by how a couple people in a group react, I think this is a long-lasting strategy that a person has to develop to successfully carry out the unconscious norms that a host culture practices. With that said, the Maximizing study abroad book has some very good points on how to gain more information about the host culture. They suggest to check out novels, short stories, poetry to learn about the major literary figures and their work. Also, they suggest to read nonfiction books on history, geography & politics to discover intercultural specific books. In addition to reading both fiction and nonfiction books, they suggest to read your host cultures newspapers and magazines to observe cultural trends and hot topics, such as societal issues, sports team headlines, and artist or musicians that are currently popular. I believe this is very valuable as one should be soaking up as much information as possible about their host cultures current societal issues and events
Blog World Wide 