- P.S.... all of this is based off of other people's observations, not mine.
1. Are there types of clothing that are considered inappropriate in your host country that would not usually be considered inappropriate at home?
Not really when talking about young adults and teenagers. American styles and German styles are very similar in modesty. But, there are also some very big differences.
You wouldn't be surprised if the local lake allowed women to go topless and you would never be awestruck to find an old man in a speedo in the same setting.
Although, we are kind of the same in styles; You would rarely find an old woman wearing shorts, a tight t-shirt and tennis shoes in Germany as you would in the U.S. It would be shocking to find a man or woman wearing tennis shoes while not exercising . Sock with sandals? don't count on it.
German adults are also very conservative in their business dress. - What kinds of unwritten rules about gender roles exist in your host country? (e.g., How is direct eye contact or a smile from a woman usually taken by men?)
Much like America, when a person can't meet the eyes with another it is a sign of a lack in confidence.
But, it goes a step further. In Germany, when in conversation... It is very common for a German to look at you straight in the eyes the whole (or majority) of the time of the conversation. This is a sign of interest and trust in the conversation. Americans may find this extremely uncomfortable and we will look straight into the eyes but not for too long. Germans may find this annoying.
Smiling in the U.S is seen as a friendly and polite gesture whereas in Germany doing so may send the wrong intention. Smiling is usually a sign of affection towards another. - What kinds of acts are considered flirtation in your host country that you would not usually be considered flirtation at home?
This was a bit hard to find over the internet but from what I've read: Germans are terrible at flirting. Or, German men are terrible at flirting. It is very unlikely for them to make a first move.
Teenagers will probably differ vastly from adults.... We'll just have to see! - What obvious differences exist between the way you typically act on a night out, riding public transportation, walking through the city, in encounters with local men, etc. and the way the native women act?
We hear that Germans love beer. But, do they love getting drunk? no. One would be very looked down upon if he/she were to do so.
Other than that it's pretty similar to the rest of the U.S, not including Utah...
That's all.
M.C
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Research
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
That's... stereotypical!!
The negative world perspective of Americans....................
Lazy
Rich
Ignorant
Party animals
Want to be world leaders
Proud
A lot of these stereotypes are created from people observing the media. The U.S is a massive producer of T.V shows, movies, music, books, world news, etc. All of our media is spread about the whole world, especially Europe. When watching let's say... Mean girls, they could get the idea that most American High Schools are like that. They watch us on the news and hear Obamas speeches, they suddenly assume that we are way proud and want too much world power.
They look at our schooling system. Out of the 30 modern countries in the world, U.S is ranked 25th in education. They suddenly assume we're stupid, lazy and ignorant and put all our money into war and not schooling.
They watch our T.V shows, like for example: The O.C, or desperate house wives, etc. suddenly we're really wealthy and love to party.
I think media plays the biggest role, honestly.
I kind of started talking crap about our country. We know most of us aren't like that.... and Europeans usually don't look down on us quite that much. From what I can tell, most of them like us... at least the slightest bit.
How can I explain and respond to negative stereotypes while in Germany?
Just represent myself the best I can be. Be myself, is probably the most important. Represent the U.S as a well-rounded diverse country and just explain my culture to them, answer questions, etc. The thing about the U.S and Germany is that everyone is so diverse... A lot of Americans do fit the stereotypes but a lot don't and one can't make another change their thinking. "You can lead a man to reason, but you can't make him think"- someone said that.
I feel as though my writing is faltering. Oh well.
Lazy
Rich
Ignorant
Party animals
Want to be world leaders
Proud
A lot of these stereotypes are created from people observing the media. The U.S is a massive producer of T.V shows, movies, music, books, world news, etc. All of our media is spread about the whole world, especially Europe. When watching let's say... Mean girls, they could get the idea that most American High Schools are like that. They watch us on the news and hear Obamas speeches, they suddenly assume that we are way proud and want too much world power.
They look at our schooling system. Out of the 30 modern countries in the world, U.S is ranked 25th in education. They suddenly assume we're stupid, lazy and ignorant and put all our money into war and not schooling.
They watch our T.V shows, like for example: The O.C, or desperate house wives, etc. suddenly we're really wealthy and love to party.
I think media plays the biggest role, honestly.
I kind of started talking crap about our country. We know most of us aren't like that.... and Europeans usually don't look down on us quite that much. From what I can tell, most of them like us... at least the slightest bit.
How can I explain and respond to negative stereotypes while in Germany?
Just represent myself the best I can be. Be myself, is probably the most important. Represent the U.S as a well-rounded diverse country and just explain my culture to them, answer questions, etc. The thing about the U.S and Germany is that everyone is so diverse... A lot of Americans do fit the stereotypes but a lot don't and one can't make another change their thinking. "You can lead a man to reason, but you can't make him think"- someone said that.
I feel as though my writing is faltering. Oh well.
My personal identity
Global student gives me a long list of identities.... I must carefully choose 3 in which describe myself as a human being... or American, if you will.
The one's they gave me were a bit dull, so I tweeked them up just a bit just so I could enjoy this in the slightest way
I am strong
I am an artist
I am on the liberal side
I am strong- This is what I say to myself as I hit the last mile of that cross country race, the 10th 400 repeat of practice, the last blistering switchback of the Y trail, as I make it up Will's hill, and all those many miles I do with cross country and track.
On any give day I would be proud to announce that I am a runner. Running has become my most favorite thing to do. It's the pain I enjoy. I don't know what I would do if I wasn't healthy, I couldn't handle it.. trust me. I love riding my bike, hiking and most definitely running. I just love being active and seeing how hard I can push my limit. It's fun.
Germans may be shocked by this.. because so many Americans are overweight. But, we'll see. I know western Europeans are very healthy and it is very unlikely to find an overweight one.. As I go on this exchange being active (strong) will hopefully help me relate to others, whether it's on a sport team or whatever. And hopefully it will defeat the stereotype of Americans being extremely lazy all the time
When I say I am an artist, I actually mean: I wish I was an artist. I love creating my own type of style. Wheter it be, on my body, in my room, in my book, in my journal, in my ideas, etc.... I love being different from everyone else. I love creating myself. I am a the most horrible artist (in a drawing sense) but I still try... I love looking at architecture, nature, people, clothing, pictures, art, cars, listening to music and any kind of noises, reading books and just finding the beauty in all of them. Art comes in so many different aspects, we just have to find it.
Germany is filled with so much art. Historically, culturally, and naturally. I'll be taking plenty of pictures and writing, hopefully, a lot about some of my many experiences. I'll try to turn it into art as much as possible or at least look at it with an artist (not really) perspective.... Maybe, possibly.
I am liberal. Yes, it's pretty self explanatory. Germany is pretty liberal. Not as liberal as The Netherlands but liberal. That's all I have to say. I guess.
The one's they gave me were a bit dull, so I tweeked them up just a bit just so I could enjoy this in the slightest way
I am strong
I am an artist
I am on the liberal side
I am strong- This is what I say to myself as I hit the last mile of that cross country race, the 10th 400 repeat of practice, the last blistering switchback of the Y trail, as I make it up Will's hill, and all those many miles I do with cross country and track.
On any give day I would be proud to announce that I am a runner. Running has become my most favorite thing to do. It's the pain I enjoy. I don't know what I would do if I wasn't healthy, I couldn't handle it.. trust me. I love riding my bike, hiking and most definitely running. I just love being active and seeing how hard I can push my limit. It's fun.
Germans may be shocked by this.. because so many Americans are overweight. But, we'll see. I know western Europeans are very healthy and it is very unlikely to find an overweight one.. As I go on this exchange being active (strong) will hopefully help me relate to others, whether it's on a sport team or whatever. And hopefully it will defeat the stereotype of Americans being extremely lazy all the time
When I say I am an artist, I actually mean: I wish I was an artist. I love creating my own type of style. Wheter it be, on my body, in my room, in my book, in my journal, in my ideas, etc.... I love being different from everyone else. I love creating myself. I am a the most horrible artist (in a drawing sense) but I still try... I love looking at architecture, nature, people, clothing, pictures, art, cars, listening to music and any kind of noises, reading books and just finding the beauty in all of them. Art comes in so many different aspects, we just have to find it.
Germany is filled with so much art. Historically, culturally, and naturally. I'll be taking plenty of pictures and writing, hopefully, a lot about some of my many experiences. I'll try to turn it into art as much as possible or at least look at it with an artist (not really) perspective.... Maybe, possibly.
I am liberal. Yes, it's pretty self explanatory. Germany is pretty liberal. Not as liberal as The Netherlands but liberal. That's all I have to say. I guess.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Global Student: My goal statement
My goals for while in German. How I want this experience to personally affect me in terms of personal growth, global awareness and diversity.
As I spend a year in Germany, I have no doubt I will change as a person. But, the question is: what kind of person?
Well, first of all, I want to change my mindset. I want to be able to understand the German perspective. Not only that, I want to have the German perspective. This will help my understanding of global awareness... in a different view. I'm going to try to observe as much as possible ( I seem to be quite good at it, honestly.) and interact with those around me.
Personally, I have the greatest desire to not be shy on this trip. Shyness will only hurt me in so many ways... As it has in some of my earlier years. Opening myself to everyone will not only improve my German and knowledge of the culture but it will help me grow as a person, help me become a better person and create the friends I want to create.
I have definitely improved greatly.But, trust me, there is still plenty of room.
That's all.
As I spend a year in Germany, I have no doubt I will change as a person. But, the question is: what kind of person?
Well, first of all, I want to change my mindset. I want to be able to understand the German perspective. Not only that, I want to have the German perspective. This will help my understanding of global awareness... in a different view. I'm going to try to observe as much as possible ( I seem to be quite good at it, honestly.) and interact with those around me.
Personally, I have the greatest desire to not be shy on this trip. Shyness will only hurt me in so many ways... As it has in some of my earlier years. Opening myself to everyone will not only improve my German and knowledge of the culture but it will help me grow as a person, help me become a better person and create the friends I want to create.
I have definitely improved greatly.But, trust me, there is still plenty of room.
That's all.
Quotes are my favorite
Global student... again. Sorry for the disappointment. If it ever was one.
The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of convenience but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy" - Martin Luther King, Jr.
So true. Whenever one wants to be the person they want to be, when one desires the creation of a certain talent, or perhaps they wish to get to know someone... There has to be an amount of risk somewhere in there to make their wishes come true and a few (or a lot) moments of being uncomfortable.
Life is full of challenges. But, we are the ones to defeat them and survive them well. For they will make us ever-so stronger.
This exchange will no doubt be a challenge in so many aspects. All I know is, when I am able to get through a challenge, I am stronger. We can choose these challenges or they can fall upon us. I am choosing this one and hopefully the measure of my self will reach a high capacity.
" I never said it was going to be easy. I said it was going to be worth it"
and another one to end it. " I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."
The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of convenience but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy" - Martin Luther King, Jr.
So true. Whenever one wants to be the person they want to be, when one desires the creation of a certain talent, or perhaps they wish to get to know someone... There has to be an amount of risk somewhere in there to make their wishes come true and a few (or a lot) moments of being uncomfortable.
Life is full of challenges. But, we are the ones to defeat them and survive them well. For they will make us ever-so stronger.
This exchange will no doubt be a challenge in so many aspects. All I know is, when I am able to get through a challenge, I am stronger. We can choose these challenges or they can fall upon us. I am choosing this one and hopefully the measure of my self will reach a high capacity.
" I never said it was going to be easy. I said it was going to be worth it"
and another one to end it. " I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A more in depth version of my concerns going abroad
In all honesty, I am so excited for this year in Germany. I don’t think I’ve been so excited for anything else in my life... There’s the obvious Christmas, knowing you’re going to Disneyland, all that fun stuff. Just to inform you, Germany wins. But, because of the fact I am human, I also have a few concerns about this journey. Things in which I am extremely nervous about. I guess global student is somewhat forcing me to share them with you in a certain amount of deepness.
I am so scared to go to school in a different language. Just because of the fact school is already supposed to be a challenge to everyone, add a language you are not a master of on top of it…. It’s a bit hard to imagine. Along with the language, I believe it will be hard for me to communicate and get my thoughts out there to my host family and community. Not only that but being able to understand them. I know my host family speaks excellent English and my host sister is trying to learn English well but I really want to learn German. That’ll also be a challenge, to let them know: I only want to speak German (for learning sake) while I’m there. I want to be independent and show that I can get around…. And that I can learn as much German as I put my mind to it.
I also mentioned fitting in in the last post. I’ve lived in Provo for 15 years. Provo is 90 % Mormon. I’ve grown up around people with the same standards and same beliefs my whole life. My family attends church every week (only a 3 minute walk up the street) all my neighbors attend church weekly….. all my friends attend Seminary at school and Mutual every Wednesday. I’m not going to lie, I’m not going to miss it too much. There are so many diverse people with different religious views in this world and I can’t wait to hear them and learn from them. It’s just the fact that I’ve grown up in such a culture and I’ve adapted to it, I think it will be hard bonding with people of complete different backgrounds, I guess. That’s a concern… But, I’m so willing to get over it.
With all that being said, I think I can overcome these things or at least somewhat. A risk needs to be made once in a while and we can’t always be comfortable with everything in life. There are challenges to be met, races to be won, mountains to be climbed, and an exchange program to be conquered. Go get ‘em tiger.
I am so scared to go to school in a different language. Just because of the fact school is already supposed to be a challenge to everyone, add a language you are not a master of on top of it…. It’s a bit hard to imagine. Along with the language, I believe it will be hard for me to communicate and get my thoughts out there to my host family and community. Not only that but being able to understand them. I know my host family speaks excellent English and my host sister is trying to learn English well but I really want to learn German. That’ll also be a challenge, to let them know: I only want to speak German (for learning sake) while I’m there. I want to be independent and show that I can get around…. And that I can learn as much German as I put my mind to it.
I also mentioned fitting in in the last post. I’ve lived in Provo for 15 years. Provo is 90 % Mormon. I’ve grown up around people with the same standards and same beliefs my whole life. My family attends church every week (only a 3 minute walk up the street) all my neighbors attend church weekly….. all my friends attend Seminary at school and Mutual every Wednesday. I’m not going to lie, I’m not going to miss it too much. There are so many diverse people with different religious views in this world and I can’t wait to hear them and learn from them. It’s just the fact that I’ve grown up in such a culture and I’ve adapted to it, I think it will be hard bonding with people of complete different backgrounds, I guess. That’s a concern… But, I’m so willing to get over it.
With all that being said, I think I can overcome these things or at least somewhat. A risk needs to be made once in a while and we can’t always be comfortable with everything in life. There are challenges to be met, races to be won, mountains to be climbed, and an exchange program to be conquered. Go get ‘em tiger.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Global Student Anticipation and Expectation
Good Morning!
I decided I want to get this as quickly done as possible because I still have a lot to do in these next 2 months. So, bear with me or don't even read at all, I could care less. I will conquer these courses either way.
So, let us begin our journey.
Anticipation and Expectation Exercise
A. What are the five things that you are most looking forward to about studying abroad?
1.Learning German
2.Learning culture
3.Living in a complete different place
4.Seeing the beauties of Europe
5.Creating good friendships
B. What are the five things that currently worry you most about going overseas?
1.Fitting in
2.Language barrier
3.homesickness
4.Living in a complete different culture
5.Expressing myself
C. What are the five things (people, places, activities, etc.) you believe you will miss most from home when abroad?
1.Track and Cross Country team
2.Beauties of Utah.... running through them, hiking, etc.
3.Timpview- I'm gonna miss that school so much.
4
5.Mormons
D. What are the five things (people, places, activities, etc.) you believe you will miss least from home when abroad?
1.Mormons being everywhere
2.creepy people
3.our food
4.Being extremely bored in school
5. This is hard... Probably all the stress at home.
E. My greatest single challenge overseas will be: Probably fitting in. That goes along with being able to express my self in another language, and culture. I don't like to admit it ever but I'm a bit shy when first meeting people. I have to trust one before I can actually express my true self in front of them. That'll be a big challenge. Also, missing my cross country team. I love that team and sport so much.
We will definitely see what happens.
This list was kind of what came right off of my head, not thoroughly thought through. But, it is the truth. Hope you enjoy the colors atleast
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