15.01.15
Today was my first day in the Intercultural
Exchange/Speaking class. Ramin explained that the students had already prepared
questions to ask us for the day. I was a little nervous about what they were
going to ask, and how quickly I could come up with answers to cultural questions.
We started in groups of three, and after about ten minutes,
the TEFL students rotated to a new group. We didn’t get through the whole
class, but everyone was able to talk with at least two pairs of students.
Some of the questions were very open-ended and difficult to explain
succinctly. I was asked questions like, “What is your favorite culture?” and “Do
you think American independence is selfish?” For the first question, I wasn’t
sure how to respond at first. I don’t know all the cultures in the world, so
how could I pick a favorite? Let alone, how does one have favorite culture? I
asked for clarification, and the student told me that he means what culture do I
know of that I like the most or think is the best. I said that I find studying
cultures interesting, and that I don’t think there is a “best” culture.
The second question was also very difficult to answer merely
because it is not a topic I have ever had broached before. I could very much
understand what the student meant, since Americans seem to leave home at such
an early age. She pointed out that she had noticed that Americans seem to talk
to themselves much more than Pakistanis, and wondered if this might have to do
with a loneliness inspired by our need for independence at such an early age
and the detachment from our families. I didn't disagree with that part, and it
was eye opening more than anything to realize that an act like talking to one
’s self could have cultural distinctions.
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