Today we had the great opportunity to listen to a guest lecture by the Mexican interculturalist author, singer, song-writer Betty Ramos, who did an excellent job of helping us develop new understandings of some of the similarities and differences of the multiple cultures of Mexico and the United States. Lic. Ramos is the author of several books, including Negltiating Cuoltural Barriers and The Geo-Context: A Guide to Intercultural Understanding Between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Rather than simply giving us a list of "dos" and "don'ts" that would have limited value, Lic. Ramos not only introduced key concepts and theoretical frameworks from the field of intercultural communication but also shared several of her own personal experiences living in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, where she has facilitated countless workshops on intercultural communication.
During our time in Mexico, it will be helpful to remember her stories and suggestions regarding saying THANK YOU as many times as possible in as many different ways as possible and "decorating the truth" by always trying to be as polite and simpático as possible. Thank you, Betty Ramos!
This sounds like a very beneficial lecture. People can easily get caught up in the difference between cultures and forget how many similarities there actually are. In our oppression and diversity class we have a lot of dialogs about race and how different races experience situations which helps in understanding but we do not really talk about similarities between them. I really want to look up Ramo's book now.
ResponderEliminarCross - cultural differences have been very present here in Thailand too, and the group has experienced some challenges in trying to fit in with our roommates, peer tutors, and homestay families. Thai's have this phrase "My ben rye" which basically means "No worries, It's OK." Now, they often mean it, but because they're so focused on not offending others or hurting their feelings, you are never quite sure if they're being truthful, or just telling you that it's fine. We've all come to adapt a bit of this "My ben rye" policy, and it's been healthy for us to curb some of our typical American bluntness.
ResponderEliminarHow are you in Mexico dealing with being foreigners? How are you perceived by Mexicans? Americans are loved here, which makes it easy for us to communicate, but it becomes uncomfortable when people grab us and stroke our skin, telling us "suai, suai" (beautiful, beautiful).
Betty Ramo's lecture sounds like an interesting angle to hear about cultural differences from. Her experiences in Mexico, Canada, and the US must give her a wide variety of cultural norms. Learning from theories and than seeing those theories applied through personal experience is a beneficial way to obtain knowledge. I am curious to hear more about the work Ramo's does and how she presents her lectures. I am also curious if Ramo's developed understanding differences in culture by merely experienceing them first hand or by also researching them.
ResponderEliminarAs I study in Thailand with CIEE I often think about differences and similatities in culture between the US and Thailand. Cultural differences exist inside the US as well. The influx of cultures I am surrounded by on my program between Thai villagers, Thai people in cities, and all the different people in my program has given me alot of valuable experiences. I would love to hear what Ramo's says about adjusting your culture to fit in new surroundings. Do you feel the same way in Mexico?
This is Barrie. Not sure what happened
ResponderEliminarThis sounds very interesting! A huge reason why I really want to study abroad is so I'll be able to see more into culture differences and similarities. While reading your blog, it made me think of what would I do if it was me, and how would I campare the similarities. In our class, we often learn about the race and differences, somewhat related to what Ramo's lecture was.
ResponderEliminarBlia Lee
As it comes time to write our final exam (a take-home essay full of thought-provoking and anxiety-producing questions), I’ve found myself reflecting on cultural differences more and more. Before we came to Thailand, part of our first homework assignment asked us to define our culture. I laughed at the question. How was I supposed to understand my culture? It was just...a part of me. I assumed they were asking the question because coming to Thailand was magically going to make me more aware of what culture was and how it varied across the world. Today, I’m no closer to having a good definition of “culture” but I am beginning to wrap my mind around the concept. I don’t see my culture as being distinct from Thai culture but I view it as a part of my mindset, which shapes the decisions I make and also influences the way I perceive everything I come across. Cultural differences certainly don’t boil down to a certain lists of “dos” and “donts” for getting by in your study-abroad country of choice. (Although they have been helpful in many sticky situations.) At times, I have been extremely frustrated with what I perceive as “cultural divides” but it has been extremely helpful to attempt to work within my limited understanding of what culture can mean for different people in different places. I’m glad to hear that you guys are contemplating this distinction as well.
ResponderEliminarHello! I, too, am a CIEE student writing our final exam and thinking a lot about culture. We had a similar session of "culture 101" at our orientation, where we learned the basics of using Thai toilets and bathrooms, how to never ever ever point your feet at people, and such helpful tips. We've had some classroom sessions about cultural values like "mai ben rai". All of this has been helpful in gaining a rudimentary understanding of Thai culture. However, I think it's only after we've learned the basics and shifted our focus away from the things that are common throughout an entire country, to the ways in which culture varies and changes across space and through time, that we can start to realize the really interesting things about our own culture as well as the host country's. For me, the differences between Thai village life and university life, between Isan and Thai culture, between young people and old. It also makes me think about the culture we've created here among our group of student CIEE students, and about the different cultures I am a part of within the US.
ResponderEliminarHello, so I am another CIEE student here in Thailand responding to your post regarding cross cultural differences. As a sociology/anthropology, this idea of culture is pretty much all I study in college. Trying to define culture is probably one of the most difficult things to do considering that fact that culture is practically everything about one’s life and affects us on so many levels—both conscious and subconscious. So translating my ideas surrounding culture to a cross-cultural experience has been a very interesting and thought provoking experience. This experience has certainly been a learning one but not without its share of frustrations and difficulties. I think it’s a pretty easy thing to learn about cultural stereotypes and preferences and then apply them in the context of your surroundings but I believe it is more important to recognize the nuances between different cultures and people—and that let that understanding of those differences dictate your thoughts and actions as opposed to just generalizing. And it really does become difficult here in Thailand at times when everyone is saying “mai ben rai”, which translates to “no problem, that’s fine.” I am curious how you are adjusting to being a foreigner in Mexico. Do you find Mexican people placing you in certain categories or boxes? And if so, how do you work to correct those common generalizations made by these people?
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