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Bonner Global Engagement Curriculum: During the Trip

Page history last edited by Kelly Behrend 11 years, 9 months ago

 

Global Engagement Training Series: During the Trip


 

Unpacking of Self

Ethnocentrism: Exploring Your National Identity:

This training is to help participants identify ethnocentrism in their everyday lives and how it may (negatively) affect communication between people. It is intended to help participants build perspective about culture and beliefs, supporting the development of international perspective.  Through critical thinking, participants develop more awareness of where they may be unfairly generalizing, stereotyping, or not exploring new perspectives.

 

What is ethnocentrism?

Ethnocentrism is defined on dictionary.com as “the belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group.” Also believing that ones own Culture, country or race is superior to another can be considered ethnocentric.

 

What is the difference between having pride for ones own culture and ethnocentrism?

Having pride in ones country is different than ethnocentrism in the degree of that pride. An example of ethnocentric thinking is when a person believes that his or her country does everything right and everyone else’s country does everything (or most things) wrong. Pride in ones own country is having a high opinion of that country but also believing that other countries also do things well even though it might be done in a dissimilar way. In the United States of America, for example, Fourth of July parades give people a chance to show pride in the American culture. By contrast, ethnocentric thinking may be characterized by an unwillingness to learn about or identify the strengths in other cultural or national points of view.

 

Examples of Ethnocentrism in American Culture:

      • Those who drive on the left side of the road is “the wrong side of the road” 
      • Those who speak differently “have an accent” 
      • People from “such and such” place are always “blank” (e.g., rude, arrogant, racist, etc.)

 

Culture Shock

"Culture Shock" is a name given to the collection of feelings that sometimes arise when travelers are overwhelmed by cultural differences.   The symptoms can include feeling lonely, homesick, overwhelmed, fearful, angry, confused, or judgmental.

Having culture shock does not imply any shortcoming on your part – it’s just an occupational hazard of living an international and intercultural life.  Just as an athlete cannot get in shape without going through the uncomfortable conditioning stage, so you cannot fully appreciate new cultures without first going through the uncomfortable stages of psychological adjustment.

We can’t prevent you from experiencing culture shock, but we can reassure you that culture shock has been overcome by thousands of study abroad participants before you.  Actually, many people experience culture shock in their own country, for example, by visiting a new region for the first time.  

 

Phases of Culture Shock

The “excitement” stage.  Everything around you is new and exciting.  An open air market appears picturesque, the vendors seem lively, and the food for sale smells fragrant & tastes exotic.

The “disillusioned” stage.  You have the same experiences as before, but now you make a negative assessment, not a positive one.  The same open air market now seems to have become run-down and chaotic, the vendors seem aggressive or obnoxious, the food has become gross.  “Culture shock” may be a factor at this stage.

The “balanced” stage.  With time, you realize that there is as much good, and as much bad, in the new culture as in your home culture – they are just arranged and presented differently.   Your anger and disappointment fade, and you realize that you can function effectively outside your home culture.  It’s clear that the open air market is different from the store where you buy food at home, but you see that both have their advantages.  The vendors are different from the grocery clerks at home, but they all get the job done.  The food is indeed different from food at home, and you’re glad you’ve tried so many new dishes.

 

Explaining the Bonner Program

Some cultures have yet to fully grasp concepts like service learning, civic engagement, and community service. So, when explaining the Bonner Program (specifically the details like the CLA and logging hours), it may seem overwhelming and confusing to potential site supervisors. It is essential that you read and use the Service Partner Guide (download here: Service Partner Guide.pdf). By using this guide, staff at your potential service site have the opportunity to read what the Bonner Program is and how you’re service and their site fits together under the Bonner mission. Feel free to fax or e-mail the companion guide to your service site beforehand, or travel with a few copies so that when you begin interviewing for volunteer positions at various sites, you have multiple copies to hand out.

 

Cultural Sensitivity

Be aware of how you may be presenting yourself to a potential service site. Don’t enter into it with a “save-the-world” mentality. Often times, these sites are better equipped to diagnose the issues in their community because of cultural reasons, and it may be off-putting if you begin trying to make changes. Wait for the opportunity to engage with them in service; don’t be too forward in starting your own project or initiative that may be potentially jarring to internal staff and volunteers. If you do choose to do something new or different within the organization, be sure to ask a trusted coworker or friend familiar with the culture.

 

Hours & Pay

Some organizations may not be used to having consistent volunteers, if any. Therefore, your help may be seen as a potential threat to someone’s job. If you’re working “for free” for 10 hours per week, it may be threatening to some other staff members who are paid part-time and may not understand your role. Moreover, some may question your motives when serving when they hear that you are getting a scholarship or getting “paid” to do so--the idea of a community service scholarship is still foreign to many. These issues may be especially complex if you are working in a community or for an organization that does not speak English. If this is the case, take great care in explaining your motives and see if there is a translator available.

 

Don't Panic!

These are all issues you may not even run into, but it is better to be prepared than not at all. Just be sure to engage in constant communication with your Bonner staff and feel free to contact any of the Bonners featured in this handbook if you have a problem or need advice. Read their stories and you’ll see why volunteering abroad is more than worth it--it is an enlightening, enriching, and often life-changing experience. 

 

 


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