Blog 2

I think that I have plenty to offer as an American student who is biracial. For the cultural context survey, I scored a 0 when taking the difference between my low context and high context values. Therefore, when going to a country like Northern Ireland for example who is primarily low context, I feel as if I am at an even playing field to interpret the culture. My mother is from the Philippines, and Asian countries are typically more high-context. However, my father is from the United States, which is known for its low context culture. Throughout my life, I remember comparing the dynamic of the two cultures, and often times, I found myself with unanswered questions about the Filipino culture. I had to greet all of my relatives or family friends with taking their hand and putting it to my head as a sign of respect. I always had to take my shoes off before entering a home. I had rice with every meal and ate with my fingers as utensils. I had to call every Filipino I met “tito” or “tita” (uncle or aunt). Also, I noticed that generations of families lived together under one roof. When I asked the reason for any of this my mother often answered with “that’s just the way things are”; there was no rhyme or reason for anything it seemed like. But I understand that these undefined features are what gives Filipinos their identity, and they are free to behave in any way that makes sense to them.
I can apply this experience during my study abroad experience by keeping my curiosity and trying to find the reason for their culture through history. They are known as a low context country, like the United States, so I could easily get by on the daily without trying to engage. I aspire to search for the roots of the tree, not just the branches and leaves (in reference to the culture tree discussed in class). I’ve always been one to ask questions, and even though it will be easy to avoid them since the US and Ireland are similar in a sense, I know that I will still ask. I could accomplish this indirectly by reading the news and refreshing myself on the history of Northern Ireland. Also, I could delve deeper, make relations with the natives, and ask them upfront about their cultural values.
As for sharing my own experience, I am willing to share with anyone who will listen! I will find some type of common ground with some of my peers and go from there. For example, I love to run, paint, cook, pray, and read. These passions have the potential to be universal. Following this, I plan on hanging out with people who are interested in the same things as me and then comparing stories of their culture in relation to mine, which is unique as an American. I’m eager to get my story out, and I hope that they are too.