An American Abroad

 The survey's we took on cultural differences surprised me. I figured I would be more of a low-context person, but I scored equally in high and low context aspects. I think this is because I live in between two cultures: the Mexican one and the American one. Mexico is a high context culture while the United States is a low context culture, so it makes sense that I would have equal aspects of both.

On the self audit survey, I believe my strengths were my independence and my openness. Although I've never been apart from my parents for long periods of time, I have always been independent and know how to do things on my own. My openness is another strength and I think this is because of how I've grown up.

This has just reassured me that I'm culturally open enough to be successful to study abroad, and makes me excited to be in Spain next fall, even if I'm super nervous about trying new foods.

An American Abroad

            After completing the surveys from last week I found my strengths as well as my baggage. These surveys were helpful to me in that they allowed me to see what I need to work on personally before my trip.

            These surveys revealed that I am independent for the most part and very flexible. I’ve found that growing up in a household where we like to “go with the flow” has helped me in being flexible. I am able to change my plans easily and do not get too mad when things do not go as planned. One thing I could work on before traveling abroad is openness. Although I scored high in this category, I still feel like I could be more open-minded, especially when it comes to food. I love food, but I can be very particular about what I eat. I think the best thing I can to work through my pickiness is to just allow myself to try new things, and hopefully my ability to be flexible will help me to become more open to new foods.

            As far as the cultural context survey goes I scored extremely high. I think the particular day and time I filled out the survey played a part in my high school, but overall I fit on the high context scale. As far as I can tell, based on the chart, Finland seems to be more on the low context side. My hope for transitioning into this culture is that my inner Fin will kick in when I arrive since I am ¼ Finnish.

            The aspects of my “American identity” that I will bring with me to Finland are my friendliness and good communication skills. When traveling in a foreign place I feel like having good communication skills will be handy, especially since I have a terrible sense of direction. Having these two “American identities” will be beneficial when asking for directions and meeting potential friends.  

            Overall I think that being flexible and independent will help me as I study abroad. Having an open mind and learning to be adaptable will also help me. I know that I still have a lot to do to prepare for my trip, but I am getting more and more excited each day! The surveys helped me to see what I need to work on before departing for my trip.  

An American Abroad

From the cultural context-inventory, I found that I am somewhat on the high context side. This hopefully will make it easier to accustom myself to the culture of Spain as it is on the high context side as well. I believe for me some of my biggest strengths for adapting to a new culture is that I am fairly easy going, flexible, and good at going with the flow. I don’t tend to stress out in situations that I am unaccustomed to and I like learning about new ways of doing things. Culturally, besides the language, I think the biggest difference for me will be small things such as the differences with being on time, the difference in food, and eating times. However, as I said, I don’t think this is anything that will be too big of a challenge, just something that may take a little time to get used to. As far as educating others about the culture of being American, I can give them some of the general characteristics if one wants to know. I would inform them that we are pretty individualistic, goal-driven, and nationalistic people. We place a high importance on reaching our goals and we tend to always be busy and on the go. Whereas in many cultures people will just take the time to talk and hang out, many Americans don’t seem to have time for this. Lastly, it seems that we like to eat.

An American Abroad

     Even though I have never actually been outside of the country, I can definitely say I have experienced having to adapt to new and very different cultures. I grew up in a very liberal and progressive environment. However, I resided in Giles County, Tennessee which is a very rural town that is fairly conservative. Due to this stark contrast of idea and beliefs I became very good at not reacting when I heard something I fundamentally believed to be incorrect. I also learned that trying to argue your point when you are ultimately the minority can be difficult and frustrating at times. I know that while I am abroad I will most likely encounter some opposition to something I believe in, but having grown up facing that situation daily I will do what I have always done. I will remain calm, acknowledge that the person is right in some way and state how I respectfully disagree.
     Also being born and raised in the south, I am prone to saying "ma'm" and "sir" when addressed by someone I respect. These terms ARE NOT UNIVERSAL. I have learned this. I am also very accustomed to my own daily routine which will most likely be turned upside down and around once I am abroad which will probably leave a bit irritated for a while. Another challenge I can imagine is a small language barrier. Although Northern Ireland speaks English, there is a different dialect and vocabulary I will have to adapt to.
     While I am very nervous about being American and in a new country, I really am excited to be an ambassador not only for Maryville College but also the United States. I'm aware that there a great deal of negative stereotypes that some people might have of the United States. I think that as an intellectual who prides himself on learning new things, I will represent my home country and college with integrity.

An American Abroad

     The surveys we took last week were really eye-opening.  I got to see how my culture could affect my time abroad and what kind of "cultural baggage" I would be bringing with me.  Using the surveys, I discovered that I am very open-minded and willing to try new things but that I may need to work on flexibility.  I didn't score very "low" in this area, however, it was my lowest scoring area.  I think my communication skills will help me with flexibility and just researching different things to expect from my host culture.  For example, it will be good to know how punctual the trains are and things of that nature, that way I am not surprised or annoyed if things do not work in the way I was expecting.
     I scored a 6 on the high context culture survey, and I think this fits rather well with the United Kingdom.  In class, we discussed how the general American (United States) population is a low context country, but according to the charts and graphs, the UK falls in the moderate high context culture area.  I guess living in the South might end up being helpful for study abroad in England!
   I know that being aware of cultural differences and remaining sensitive to how people are responding to me (which is something I do anyway) will be helpful in navigating this new culture.  Showing empathy, researching my host culture, having open communication with my peers, faculty (at MC and at the U Essex), and other members of the community I will meet are all strategies I will use while I go abroad.  Overall, I think I'm a pretty adaptable person and it doesn't take me long to adjust to change; however, I know that the period of adjustment is difficult no matter how quickly it happens.  I've never been abroad before so I'm hoping to use a variety of strategies to make sure I have the best experience possible.  And the surveys really helped!

--Hannah

According to my Self Audit Survey and Cultural Context Inventory, I am a very low context person. This appears to clash a fair bit with the cultural context score of the country I am traveling to. Japan is fairly high context, but not in the same way that many other high context countries are.

I am confident that I can navigate the treacherous waters of cultural differences, despite the very different scores my host country and I have.  I know how to watch how others behave and act accordingly (I was a socially awkward kid growing up, and I had to learn how to mimic normal people). I can always ask questions if something doesn't make sense, so I will be able to learn when I make a mistake and correct it.

I am a fairly direct person, which is something I will have to curb while I am in Japan. This is not to say that I get to the point very fast; I'm not that sort of direct. I'm closer to blunt, I'd say. I may take a while to say something, but it is much more brutally honest than many cultures would prefer. This trait will probably be the most difficult to curb, and I'll undoubtedly make comments that are a little too close to home for home people. Thus, my greatest strength will probably be my ability to apologize when I make a mistake.

An American Abroad

3/23/2016

      Sarah

           Unfortunately I do not have the survey and inventory to directly quote (since they were taken up in class) but i do remember some of the things listed on them. I think that some of my strengths for this new experience will be my willingness to try new things, the fact I do not stress about timing/planning too much, and my friendliness that i can easily turn on. I fell like I have a few weaknesses to worry about as well. I know that I am very shy often. I also need my own space and sometimes I am uncomfortable if a place is too noisy. Knowing these weaknesses I can channel my strengths and overcome/work with my weaknesses.

             I think that Italy will be similar to the US in many ways. I feel like the biggest swift will be going from living in a town to living in a city. The language barrier will be tricky, so I will have to think on my feet and also be prepared that people may look at me like I am stupid. 

             I believe it would be hard to educate others on being an American. Americans, like all cultures, are unique and varied. Things I could teach about the area is bluegrass music, pie recipes, and the beauty of sweet tea. I could tell my Italian friends about myself, but summing up a whole countries personality would be impossible. We are "land of the free" but right now all i see is a group of divided people, politically wise. Italy will be a change. It will be interesting to see the similarities and differences it has with our country. After I come home I will have a more clearly defined America in my mind.