Cross-cultural journal

to help in analyzing your reactions in a new culture

A.   What have you learned about Finnish lifestyle, culture, history, society, communication etc. / Your observation /description and opinion / analysis on some event you saw.

Use your own experiences and things that we covered in the course. You can focus on aspect(s) that you find the most interesting. You can also compare your current knowledge to that you had before coming here. How have your feelings, ideas or thoughts about Finland changed so far? Write 300-400 words.

B.  Cross-cultural journals are due on Thu 21.2.2019

 

Observation/ Description

Opinion / Analysis

Describe what you saw - anything that strikes you as different, funny, weird, sad, good, etc. Feelings, emotions, judgments should not be expressed here. Just stick to the facts.

Describe your thoughts, feelings etc. about the event. Then try to analyze why you feel this way. What in your cultural background may be affecting how you feel? How is it different from whatever values or assumptions may be at work in the new culture?

 Sample from a Chinese international student in the States:

Sample: Observation / Description

Sample: Opinion / Analysis

Some American students prop their feet on the chairs or desks and eat and drink when they are in class.

I'm uncomfortable to see American students' liberal behavior in class....

They are less controlled.... Coming from China, I was amazed to see what American students do. In China every student tries to sit still, keep feet on the floor, no food or drink while in class.... Our teachers and fathers taught us to behave...

Last modified: Thursday, 7 February 2019, 11:04 AM