| |
 |
|
|
|||||
|
March 1, 2010Study Abroad in Italy, UncoveredItaly is the second leading destination for U.S. students studying abroad (Open Doors 2009 Report, IIE). In 2007-08 alone, 30,670 U.S. students studied abroad in Italy. To put this number in perspective, more students studied abroad in Italy than there are people who live in my city of Charleston, Illinois (home of Eastern Illinois University)! While the largest portion of students probably went to Florence, there are twenty different regions of Italy that you can consider for your study abroad experience. Each region has its own government and president and has something different to offer by way of geography, culture, and cuisine. The map below is from the Italian Government Tourist Board. Roll your mouse over the different regions and click to see the study abroad programs in the area. Add your program(s) to this map (for free) by creating an account and then your program listings (with the Italy region specified in the location field). You can add to, edit, or delete your listings at any time by simply logging in.
NORTHWEST ITALY (1) Piedmont (Asti, Novi Ligure, Turin) Piedmont and Aosta Valley are beautiful mountainous regions with lakes and some plains. This area is a great study abroad destination for students who enjoy exploring the outdoors by bike or foot, and love fine wine, good food, and truffles. Right on the edge of the Alps, it’s also a great place for students who want to ski during their study abroad experience. Pied monte actually means “foot of the mountain” (in French). Yes, there’s considerable French influence here. ‘Turin (Torino) is the capital of Piedmont and home to a few study abroad programs. Lombardy is the most populated and richest region of Italy, known especially for its industrial and commercial development. Like Piedmont, it’s also a beautiful area with mountains, lakes, and rivers. Milan, the capital of Lombardy, is a modern city with lots of hustle and bustle. A mecca for fashion and shopping, Milan is the place for the classy student who desires to catwalk through an extravagent (and expensive) study abroad experience. If your aspiration is to become a fashion designer, runway model, or photographer, then Milan may your ideal study abroad experience.
 A view of the Lake Como Liguria is where you find the beautiful coast, better known as the French Riviera. As you can probably imagine, Liguria is home to many seaside resort towns similar to Cannes and Monaco on the French side. Famous Cinque Terre and Portofino are both part of Liguria. Genoa is the capital of Liguria and Italy’s largest commercial port. Genoa is a great place to study abroad if you want to learn Italian because the majority of people don’t speak much English. This city is loaded with architecture, art, music, gastronomy, and history. The University of Genoa dates back to the 13th century and is the oldest university in Italy. NORTHEAST ITALY (4) Trentino Alto Adige/Südtirol (Bolzano, Trento) Trentino Alto Adige is the place to go if you want to learn German in Italy. Once part of Austria (before World War I), most people in this area speak German and eat würstel and zauerkraut. Between the Dolomite mountains, this area of Italy is breathtakingly beautiful. Trento, the cosmopolitan capital on the Southern side of the region, does speak lots of Italian though. There are plenty of study abroad students in Trento, from all over the world. Trento is a biking city. It’s also a good place if you like to ski. Veneto is a nice place to wonder, without a lot of hustle and bustle, and no cars in the city of Venice! If you’d like to have a quieter lifestyle to go along with your study abroad experience, then Venice may be the place for you. Students who choose to study abroad in Venice tend to be more independent. Locals aren’t quite as friendly to foreigners and tend to be more reserved. Venice is a beautiful, breathtaking city, especially for the study abroad student who likes bridges (there are more than 400 bridges in Venice), boats, and water. Friuli-Venezia Giulia is probably the least visited by Italians but most versatile region of Italy and a melting place of different cultures. Trieste, the capital, is the third largest Mediterranean port and a good place to learn Italian language. The University of Trieste is home to the Advanced School of Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators. There are also several Italian language schools in the city. Emilia-Romagna is full of fields and plains between the Apennine mountains and the Po River. This region is better known as Italy’s capital of gastronomy. Bologna, the capital, is both a medieval town and home to the oldest university in the Western world, the University of Bologna. Some of its alumni include Dante Alighieri, Nicolò Copernico, Torquato Tasso, and Petrarch. Petrarch once said there was no other place so free or so beautiful as Bologna. CENTRAL ITALY (9) Tuscany (Arezzo, Chianti, Cortona, Elba, Florence, Lucca, Montepulciano, Pietrasanta, Pisa, Pistoia, Siena, Viareggio)
Tuscany is a beautiful region with a rich artistic legacy, commonly regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is a popular destination among U.S. college students. Some sources describe it as the largest U.S. study abroad center in the world. If you want to go to Florence, there are plenty of study abroad programs here. Students can study nearly any subject, although a mecca for art. If you want to learn Italian though, don’t go to Florence. Because there are so many Americans in this small city, English is everywhere.  Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy Umbria is a land of rolling hills and castles. Perugia, the capital of Umbria, is near the Tiber River on top of a hill. Like Florence, Perugia is a university city, but better suited for students who want to learn Italian. Universita per Stranieri has a great program for foreign students to learn Italian language and culture. Courses are available at all language levels. There are other opportunities in Perugia to take courses taught in English, too. Don’t miss the Umbria Jazz Festival in July; it’s regarded as one of the premier in Europe. The Marches is another gorgeous region off the beaten path. Ancona, the capital, is a large seaport which makes a nice base for visiting several small and medieval towns, such as Urbino, Ascoli Piceno, San Leo, Pesaro, and Camerino. Portonovo is a stunning beach known for its clear, turquoise waters, on the Monte Conero coast. During the summertime, you can take a shuttle here from Ancona. There aren’t a lot of study abroad programs in the Marches, but you can find schools to study Italian language. Latium (Lazio) is the region of Rome. Before the rise of Rome, it was the home of the Etruscans. Rome, of course, is an amazing center of history and culture. The whole city is a museum. While expensive, it can be a wonderful place to study abroad. You should never get bored in Rome. There is too much to see and do. There are also many study abroad programs in Rome, which have a smaller and more intimate feel than the city. Keep in mind that Latium (Lazio) is not only Rome, and there is more to see and do outside of the city limits. SOUTHERN ITALY (13) Abruzzo (L’Aquila, San Giovanni)
 Castel del Monte, one of Abruzzo's little-known hill towns Abruzzo, Molise, and Apulia are quiet, sparsely populated regions best described as a natural paradise. A third of Abruzzo is a national park with mountains, lakes, greenery, and coast; this region is also known for its well-preserved Renaissance and medieval hill towns. Harvard University runs an intensive summer language program on Abruzzo’s southern coast. Campania is home to the world-renowned Amalfi Coast, a stretch of coastline from Positano to Vietri sul Mare. Naples, Campania’s capital, is the third largest city in Italy (behind Rome and then Milan). If you know Italian, you can take more than Italian language and culture classes in Naples. If you don’t know Italian, consider some other cities in Campania, like Sorrento. Don’t forget to visit Pompeii and the romantic Isle of Capri. Basilicata is a dry, mountainous region that is sparsely populated. It’s known for its Greek ruins and medieval castles. Because the locals are so friendly, and there’s virtually no tourism, this region would be an ideal place for study abroad students to immerse themselves in real Italian culture. Calabria is a mountainous region with some of the nicest beaches in Italy. Pictures speak louder than words.
 Cliff at Tropea, Italy Sicily is its own unique and rich culture. Having been conquered by the Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Byzantines, the region is quite different from the rest of Italy. You will find more Greek and North African influence than Italian. In fact, before the Unification of Italy in the 1800s, Sicily was an independent kingdom. Sicily is known for its fertile soil and natural beauty. Its main agricultural products include citrons, lemons, oranges, olives, olive oil, grapes, wine, and almonds. Its cuisine is a mix of Italian, Greek, and Arab, and is exquisite!  Nuragic site in Sardina Sardinia is the second largest Mediterranean island, and seems to have escaped time. Many different languages and dialects are spoken on the island. Stone towers called Nuraghi date back to 1600BC. These Nuraghi are the Mediterranean’s largest stone structures after the Egyptian pyramids. Similar to the Basque language found in Spain, Sardinian is a Romance language that comes from Phoenician, Etruscan and the Near East, with additional influences from Latin, Spanish, Italian, and Arabic. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS If you’ve reached this far in my post, then you probably know more about Italy, but still need some help deciding where to study abroad. Before you make up your mind on a region and a program, let’s look at the big picture. First of all, Italy is a relatively expensive country by U.S. standards. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive countries in Europe. If you’re strapped for cash, you must know there’s a huge difference in cost of living between the north-central regions and the south. There’s also a big difference between the urban centers and rural areas. Just to give you an example, I read a blog about someone who moved from Milan to the city of Cosenza, Calabria. He rented a beautiful modern apartment for only 180 euros a month. The apartment was twice the size of his place in Milan and a quarter of the price. He found a job right away and was able to save enough money after a year to buy some property in a nearby town. Not to be biased (can you tell?), but the majority of people seem to be a lot friendlier in the south also, as well as in the rural areas around the country. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture, get to know Italians well, and perhaps learn to speak Italian as a foreign language, then consider a site far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. While not everyone’s cup of tea, the south is a wonderful (underrated) option that not too many students consider. Think carefully about what you want to get out of your study abroad experience, and whatever you decide, have the time of your life! For faculty and study abroad professionals, read Faculty-led Study Abroad in Italy for some excellent sites around the country. Submitted by Wendy Williamson, Director of Study Abroad, Eastern Illinois University February 25, 2010Consider a Host Family When Studying AbroadThere are many things to consider before you study abroad, including where to live. Some students stay in hotels, hostels, dormitories, or apartments. However, other students decide to live with a host family. A host family is one that opens their home to you for the duration of your study abroad program. If you’ve been thinking about studying abroad, here are some reasons to consider a host family. 1. Access to the Culture, its Customs and Traditions Learning about a culture in a classroom is completely different than spending time with members of the culture in their local setting. By living with a host family, you have the opportunity to learn and experience the culture firsthand, including specifics like preparing and eating holiday meals or participating in songs and dances – all things that can help entrench you in the culture at warp speed. 2. The Absolute Best Way to Learn the Language If you really want to learn the language of your study abroad destination, then you must practice speaking it with natives. When you live with a host family, there is a necessity and opportunity to speak with natives on a daily basis. Naturally, you spend less time speaking English and more time practicing and learning the new tongue. 3. To Connect with the Locals en lieu of the Tourists If you travel with a group of tourists, you may gain access to local hangout spots, but not in the same way that you would if you were living with a host family. Host families have lived in the area for many years, have established relationships with the locals and have friends and family coming in and out of the home. This helps you tune into the area and feel most at home wherever you go. 4. Gain a New (Second) Family and Local Friends In addition to feeling more comfortable with the immediate family, you have an opportunity to mesh with the extended family. After spending so much time learning the language, customs and traditions, your host family and everyone in close association will see you as one of them. Living with a host family is an experience that many study abroad students cherish forever. There are various benefits, the biggest and best of which are the relationships that you can build through family connections. If you ever want to return, after you’ve long finished your study abroad program, it’s great to have family and friends. There’s no better way to experience a culture than from inside its hearts and homes, so if it’s an option, I highly encourage you to seriously consider a host family for your study abroad experience. This article was written by Melissa Tamura, who writes on the topic of online education degrees for the Zen College Life Blog. She would love to hear from you at melissatamura@gmail.com February 18, 2010Cell Phones and Internet AbroadIf it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger. ~Frank Lloyd Wright A cell phone is handy, but don’t bring one with you unless it is unlocked and uses GSM standard, or it will not function. Instead, do as the locals do; buy a phone there and pay as you go. Another option is to bring a global cell phone that you can unlock and swap out SIM cards, and then buy pre-paid SIM cards overseas. This can be cheaper than using your wireless company at home. The US and Canada have the highest cell phone bills in the world. One of the reasons for this is because we pay to place and receive calls. Many cell phones that you buy overseas receive calls for free, thus making it a lot cheaper and much better for study abroad students. When I was in Ecuador, my brother-in-law lent me a cell phone and although I couldn’t place calls without buying credit, everyone was able to call me on a regular basis. It really depends on your location, but most likely you will have access to the Internet either at school, in your apartment, or through a local cybercafé that offers access for a small fee. You can locate many of these cybercafés before you leave at World 66.com. You can also find prices and other information about the cafes. It is sometimes possible to make international calls for very good rates. Don’t expect Internet access to be as prevalent or as fast as it is in the US. In the United States, many families have their own computers as well as Cable or DSL Internet access from their homes. However, for economic and cultural reasons, this isn’t always the case in other parts of the world. Whether it is the high cost or the strong sense of community, Internet from home isn’t priority. Once you arrive, you’ll need to figure out how the phone system works and how to place in-country and international calls. You should do this right away, so you don’t waste time trying to figure it out in the event of an emergency. Following are some examples, with facts and tips that may save you and your family some frustration and hassle. Note the differences when calling within your host country and outside. Placing a call to Italy from North America
Placing a call to North America from Italy
Placing a call to Germany from Italy
Placing a Call within your Host Country Other Options to Consider If your family and friends plan to call you a lot, it would probably be better for them to get an unlimited calling plan of some sort. There are many different options to choose from. If you want to call home, you can always buy calling cards in the local kiosks and use them as desired to place phone calls internationally. When I visited France, I bought an international calling card for seven euro. It allowed me to talk to someone in the US for three hours, with time leftover. Do not use your cell phone unless you’re a millionaire and you don’t mind paying outrageously expensive rates! Reserve your cell for emergencies or for receiving calls (if free). Call PC-to-PC for free with Skype. If you want to take advantage of these services, then you need a microphone. If don’t want to listen through your computer’s speakers, then you will also need a headset. To determine when to phone home (and not upset your mom at 3:00am) visit timeticker. Think of west as future time travel and east as past. In other words, the time increases as you go west and decreases as you east.
This is a partial excerpt from the latest updated edition of Study Abroad 101 by Wendy Williamson. February 11, 2010February 4, 2010Study Abroad Internships and all the RaveThe world is your school. ~Martin H. Fischer In addition to studying abroad, students may choose to intern abroad for academic credit. More universities are approving international internships, in addition to domestic ones, and some are even offering academic credit for volunteer experiences and service learning. There is a broad range of options from working full-time or part-time while taking regular courses abroad. If you are required to complete an internship or a service-learning component as part of your degree, then consider something international for a variety of reasons. Doing an international internship is not easy, but there are many rewards. International internship opportunities exist in just about every field. There are plenty of positions with a challenging level of responsibility. Plus, you get the benefit of obtaining hands-on experience in another part of the world. The downside of doing an internship abroad is that it’s hard to find positions that are paid, mainly because of visa restrictions. In this case, you have to cover costs associated with airfare, housing, food, and daily transportation, among other things. If you’re having trouble finding something through your study abroad office, ask your professors if they have any ideas. Sometimes professors have contacts in organizations or companies that could use a helping hand. If you are unable to find something on your own, or through your college or university, and/or you don’t have the time and energy to make all the arrangements, then think about going through an agency and paying for an internship or volunteer program. An agency (third-party provider) offers professional coordination services, saving you time and frustration in the process. Such coordination may include interview assistance, job placement, accommodations, visa/permit help, customer support, and language lessons. It is nice to have this level of assistance when arranging an internship experience abroad, but doing it all by yourself is not impossible either. It depends on what you want and need, and the time you’re willing to spend to realize your goals. In order for you to obtain credit for an internship, it should be career-related and you will need to have it pre-approved. Academic credit can be obtained and validated with an official transcript from your program provider, or by pre-arranging an evaluation with a professor who is willing to work with you and/or your internship coordinator. Make all arrangements BEFORE you select an experience, as you may find there are restrictions and hurdles to unravel and manage. If you are determined to save money, and you want to find something on your own, then look for volunteer opportunities with NGOs and see if you can work out academic credit on your campus. Idealist.org is an amazing website to help people find non-profit jobs and volunteer positions. Also, consult with your department/faculty because they may have contacts with NGOs already, from their own experiences in the field. If you haven’t figured it out yet, it’s easier to get somewhere when you know somebody. This seems to be true across all cultures. If you’re interested in South America, then visit the South American Explorers Club. They have a wealth of information and resources for travelers, and a section for volunteer listings. You have to be member to access this section of the website, so if you’re sure that you’re going to South America, then it’s worth the investment. One thing I like about Latin America in general is that the cost of living tends to be low, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to fly there either. An alternative to going abroad is to work with a company or organization that has an international focus or branch. This is a good option if you’re looking for an international career such as foreign policy. Look at the websites of big NGOs, the US Department of State, and the Foreign Policy Association. The federal, state, and city governments may also have internships in their international trade offices. The opportunities are vast; all you have to do is search. Regardless of your interests, you can begin online. There are many directories, placement organizations, and third party providers that post listings and valuable information on the Internet. However, here are a few more places to begin: Some Internships in our Directory Chapman University and Australearn - All cities throughout Australia and New Zealand Education Programmes Abroad (EPA) – London, England, Edinburgh, Scotland, Brussels, Belgium, Madrid, Spain, Bonn, Cologne, Berlin, German George Mason University – Israel, Palestine, London, Buenos Aires, Beijing Other Noncommercial Directories Global Edge International Internship Directory (Published by Michigan State) This is a partial excerpt from the latest updated edition of Study Abroad 101 by Wendy Williamson January 29, 2010Heartfelt Advice for Study Abroad StudentsJanet Hulstrand (writer, editor, teacher, and study abroad program leader) recently posted a great article with five simple tips to help Americans studying abroad. We enjoyed it so much, we wanted to pass it forward and share. If you are studying abroad or you plan to study abroad in the near future, this article is for you! Janet suggests the following and she explains each point very eloquently in her blog… (1) Open yourself to the new environment, and become actively engaged with it. (2) Listen with your open mind, and try to understand the other points of view. (3) Replace boredom and jadedness with curiosity about your new environment and culture. (4) Learn the languages whatever you go…it’s the thought that counts. At least try! (5) Bring it all home and share it with others, and most importantly, “continue to make your world a bigger, better place than it was before you left.” Tune in and read the full article on her blog. Then step away from your computer, turn off your cell phone, and put down your i-pod to reflect. January 25, 2010When Study Abroad Goes WrongA few days ago, Giuliano Mignini was sentenced to 16 months in prison for abusing his powers with unauthorized phone taps during the serial killings that occurred in and around Florence, Italy for nearly two decades between 1968 and 1985. Mr. Mignini was the chief prosecutor in the trial that convicted US study abroad student Amanda Knox to 26 years in prison for the murder of her British roommate Meredith Kercher. Knox’s family and many other critics who believe Amanda is innocent, have strongly criticized Italy’s legal system and methods used during the prosecution. Ironically, Giuliano’s now own prosecution should help with the upcoming Knox appeal. The death of Meredith Kercher, and the 26-year prison sentence of Amanda Knox, sends chills through study abroad students and advisors around the world. Unfortunately, this horrible incident also grew prey to the media’s hunger for a juicy story, stereotypes about American women, and tensions that exist between nations. We will never know what really happened that night, but we’re all aware of and saddened by the consequences. As visitors to a foreign country, we must always remember that we are subject to the laws of that country, and its legal system, as well as its stereotypes and corruption. This is a risk we take. Between October 1, 2002 and June 30, 2009, the US Department of State reported 5,169 non-natural deaths abroad. Not surprisingly, the number one cause was automobile accidents. What took me by surprise was the number two cause of death…homicide. Still, comparing these numbers to the total number of US citizens who travel abroad, they are incredibly small. While I couldn’t find any statistics about the total number of Americans who travel abroad, about 25% own passports. If owning a passport is any indication of travel abroad, this would translate into about 76 million Americans. Department of State Data Each year, more than 2500 Americans are arrested in another country. About 30% of these arrests are drug-related (both guilty and innocent). This is why it is very important to educate yourself about the local laws and customs of foreign countries before you study abroad. You cannot expect the same protections: trial by jury, right to legal representation, release through bail, or innocence until proven guilty. There is also very little that the US government can do to help. No magic wands, no special deals, no signing on the dotted line and you’re out. If you’re arrested, you can expect a visit from a US consular officer. He/she can notify your family or friends, give you a list of attorneys, and help you obtain legal representation, among other things. You can also expect the officer to intercede with local authorities to help assure your rights under the country’s legal system, by protesting abuse to the authorities in line with internationally accepted standards. The officer cannot demand your release, represent you in a trial, give you legal advice, or pay your legal fees. You don’t have to do something really bad to break the law and go to jail. Students have been arrested for carrying medications that are considered illegal narcotics; for inadvertently trying to make a purchase on a credit card that will exceed the limit; for taking photographs of a government, police, or military building; for purchasing or trying to leave the country with souvenirs that customs authorities believe are national treasures; for carrying a package for someone, which unknowingly contains illegal drugs; for participating in demonstrations or strikes, and more. Don’t make assumptions when it comes to the law! Learn about it before you go abroad. ::Assistance to US Citizens Arrested Abroad ::International Constitutional Law Country Index ::International Judicial Assistance ::International Law Library of Congress ::World Legal Information Institute Submitted by Wendy Williamson, Director of Study Abroad, Eastern Illinois University January 18, 2010Study Abroad and CultureAs the soil, however rich it may be, cannot be productive without cultivation, so the mind without culture can never produce good fruit. ~Seneca According to cultural anthropologist Edward T. Hall, culture is communication and communication is culture (1959). It is a culture that teaches us how to communicate, and it is how we communicate that binds us to a culture. People that don’t stay in keeping with cultural communication practices, usually end up excommunicated from the culture in some shape or form. There are countless different cultures in the world and each of us uniquely fits into many that shape and mold our growth. Culture (or conformity) is the opposite of individualism. Like the Chinese philosophy yin and yang, they oppose but unify each other through their duality. Without culture, there would be no community, and without individualism there would be no change and communities would be stagnant. While each individual is a one-of-a-kind life form, culture is what a group of individuals have in common. It is what make us different from animals and advances the human race. Some cultures are stronger than others, for various reasons. Nations and religions tend to be strong because they share a common history. There’s something about history that binds a people together in a way that is unlike anything else. Truly, history is the most important ingredient in an unbreakable culture. Cultures are also strengthened by a common set of values and beliefs. When communities are committed with heart and soul, their cultures are tougher because of it. Culture can be understood only through the lenses of culture. For example, books and media represent social culture within national culture, and shape our understanding of Africans. We all know that Africans are very different from what we read in our books and see in the media, and that all Africans aren’t alike. However, our understanding is limited to what and how we are exposed to the countries and cultures of this massive continent. Depending on the length, quality, and legitimacy of our exposures, we may improve our knowledge, but we will never have a true understanding of all Africans and how they differ from one another. On top of the complications we have in tying to understand other continents from the vantage point of our own, there are many subcultures within a continent. Every region (originally divided by race) has its own culture, which houses national and religious cultures, which house countless other forms of culture. For example, Africa is known as the motherland of black people. Within Africa, we have the North, West, East, and South, all different from each other but similar within the larger context. When Europeans invaded Africa, the areas changed, and the area in which we find South Africa changed in ways that other countries did not. So what is the national culture of South Africa? It depends on who you talk to…a native African from a small, secluded village will see things differently than an immigrant African whose grandparents migrated to Cape Town over 100 years ago. To comprehend the culture is to perceive something different from the cultures within and around it. In the case of South Africa, the culture isn’t a common set of beliefs or values, but rather experiences. For example, everyone from South Africa has experienced the Apartheid in one way or another, and while each of their experiences is different, there are some common bonds they share because of it. Traveling keys us in to all the intricacies and layers of culture but it often pigeonholes us within the conception of nations. There is no way to pre-determine all the cultural differences that you will encounter. Just because you’re from a particular nation doesn’t mean you’re exactly the same as everyone else that lives there. You may be in South Africa when you meet an English chap who lives and works in the country. You may meet English people who have an appreciation and affinity towards the US. What you can attempt to learn in this cultural encounter is South African and English history, and how it has shaped the two cultures. What is South African culture? What is English culture? Is it really what you learned back home or is it different and more? Just as mixing water with lemon juice and sugar gives you lemonade; mixing one culture with another can sweeten up your life (to say the least). When you leave your culture and enter into another, you will encounter many similarities, but you will notice many differences. People will think, live, and behave in ways that you are not accustomed to and don’t understand. For example, people may not arrive on time; for you, it’s disrespectful but for them it’s just a normal part of their everyday living that stems from the way they understand time and use it. This is where we find what is commonly referred to as the iceberg effect. Although many differences are visible, there is more that is invisible, or under the water. Communication can be quite hairy under the water. Let’s imagine your professor is late to your two o’clock class. Through your cultural lenses, you interpret his perpetual lateness as disrespectful and you begin to construe him as lazy, disorganized, and even inconsiderate. In reality, your professor has lunch with his friends everyday and finds it perfectly normal to take his time, finish his meal, and arrive a little late to class. After all, when class is right after lunch, it’s understandable that both the professor and students will be running late. To rush to class and arrive on the hour would be unheard of and unrealistic in a culture that values people and food with such passion. Even if he wanted to arrive on time, it would be unfair to expect the same of all his students. Culture is an interesting phenomenon. If you take the time to study and understand it, you will be amazed at how it flows throughout your life like water, taking on so many different forms and hiding in so many nooks and crannies. Culture is communication, but it is much more, it is the glue that binds us together as the human race. Culture is something you have but you don’t know that you have until you stand face-to-face with another. Culture is the only thing (other than love itself) which allows us to have individual differences and still come together in community. It is what makes us different from the animal kingdom. Individuals bind culture, and culture binds individuals, and this is what makes the world go around. One of my most interesting encounters with culture occurred in Africa, when my mother called a spirit doctor to treat her malaria. A man came to the house, threw out some stones, and examined where they fell. He then pointed to an area in the backyard and told her that the spirit causing the malaria was under the ground. As he started to dig, he located a small object in the hole, and threw it up in the air like a hot potato. Then he started chanting loudly and dancing around. My host mother ordered me to go into the house because she believed white skin was weak and the spirit could easily find its way inside of my body. Later, I was told that the spirit causing the malaria was connected to that object. The witch doctor had essentially cast it away, so that it could not return. Further Exploration ::Beyond Culture ::Studying Abroad/Learning Abroad: An Abridged Edition of the Whole World Guide to Culture Learning ::Survival Kit for Overseas Living, Fourth Edition: For Americans Planning to Live and Work Abroad ::The Glimpse Foundation – A nonprofit organization that fosters cross-cultural understanding and exchange by sharing the experiences of young adults. ::What’s up with Culture? - A cultural training resource that explores cultural differences as they pertain to the study abroad experience.
|
Powered by WordPress |
||||||||
|
 This website is sponsored by:  © 2009 Agapy LLC |
|||
by Edward T. Hall
by J. Daniel Hess
by L. Robert Kohls