Reflection About Culture

This past semester we have discussed four separate and different societies and cultures. Throughout this reflection essay, I will reflect what culture is and what I have learned what culture is based on this course. As well discuss what I have learned from each of the units. Also, reflect on the course and how the class has helped me develop and transform my academic skills.

One of the Cultural Studies Course International Perspectives on Bilingual & Multicultural Education taught by Kelly Ann Witkowski. Our class met on Tuesdays we were exchanged, shared, embrace and analyze an experience of bilingual and multicultural education and create a community of learners responsible for understanding the world we are committed to changing.

Many people have different views on culture and what it includes. I think culture is a mix of many things that become a norm for a group of people over a long period of time. I think that culture is a mix of music, food, traditions, and relationships. Cultures also bring together a group of people who hold the same values and beliefs, an example of this would be any religion. Culture affects all areas of a person’s life as it affects the way they view people, make relationships, make decisions and in general how they live their life. While most cultures have existed for many years, they are not static. Many traditions are held to but there are still changes as more generations are joining and the older ones are passing away.

Deep Culture means more than where you come from, what you believe in & what you skin color is. Deep culture is your internal make-up that shapes you into who you are on the inside. For instance, personal space, body language, notions of leadership etc. are all examples of deep cultural make-up. Being aware of your own and others deep culture is important, because it helps fulfill your needs, understand other people, and even learn from others. The aspects of “deep” culture include, cultural universals and cultural archetypes. They show awareness of your deep culture, and that leads you to find more aspects in common with peers and distinctions. Ultimately, no one is left behind because everyone is aware of themselves as well as others.

Culture is a delicate word. If you spoke to a Sarah Buonauro exactly 12 months ago I would have told you a definition of culture that revolved around sameness. Coming from my background living in Northern California going to schools where students were so similar. I came to Southern California with no idea of the cultures in the area. Glendale seemed like a nice place to live and it is for a big city. The culture of the area and the culture of my school site were nothing like anything I had seen before.

The cultural assignment allowed me to gain a new perspective on the differences of others. I have grown up in a household of dissimilar belief systems. My mom is a dedicated Christian while my dad is unassociated with any religious beliefs. Though, he grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness. There differing belief systems have been the cause of various conflicts within their relationship. I often wondered if people with contradicting beliefs could effectively and peacefully discuss their belief systems. This cultural experience showed me that a peaceful discussion is possible between individuals of dissimilar beliefs.

Culture is known as the ideas and way of life of a society. Culture can have a set of behavior and beliefs. Culture has different shared components that have to do with norms, symbols, material artifacts, values, and language. My culture has grown from the days of slavery. Within my culture we have grew from being called Negro, Colored, Black, and are now called African American. I place education as a very high value in my culture. I be believe that having and striving to accomplish getting an education is the way to build a brighter future. My family has values of working hard along with preparing for the future. My mother had twelve children. Out of the twelve siblings in my family two has already earned college degrees. I will be next in in. I shall earn an A.S. degree in Child Development along with an A.A. in Communication from Bakersfield College.

The rush and bombardment of anticipation and the urge to rebirth and strengthen the colorful culture of the Philippines. Work, work. Please and appeal. Sit still and look pretty for me please. The fear of inaccuracy and miscalculation because disappointment and distaste does not fit the exquisite and alluring faces of my parents. This overwhelming entity should not be the catalyst to my desires, my parent’s expectations, and the world’s binding decree, but it was obligatory, unavoidable, to formulate and forge the almost perfect “me” that everyone wants to visualize and observe.

Every country will have a background in religion and culture that the people are living in has always been followed under the threshold of this generation to another generation. What is a culture? Why everyone should live the same culture and that culture has one? What are people thinking about the culture in which they are under? However, culture is what can connect with people and over time it became a habit in person 's life.

Everyone has their own distinct culture, and identity. As distinction is the conception that one projects to society, and culture is the part of which we resemble ourselves as, and without culture we wouldn't know who we are in this world. Your entire life you are brought up to learn many beliefs, and moral values including who you associate with throughout life is all connected to ones' culture. The way you were brought up to learn and your family's background is what resembles you as being 'different' because no one is raised the same. Our identity wouldn't exist if it wasn't for my own culture and the values we have carried from it along the years.

Where do we stand in comparison to the rest of the world? How do our values and customs align or differentiate from people across the globe? The only way to truly know the answers to these questions is to experience other cultures firsthand. It's not enough to just read about them in history books or even hear about them from a foreign resident. Cultures change constantly, so no recorded account of them will ever be perfectly accurate, and someone's description of their own nation will likely be laden with partial opinions that would cloud what their culture is actually like. During the summer of 2014, I represented the United States on the European Discovery trip sponsored by People to People International. I experienced the customs, and personalities of people living in Italy, Austria, France, and Switzerland; lived with an Austrian family for three days; and regarded the darker side of history as I toured the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Experiencing all these things showed me the good and the bad in European society and history.

Living in the United States there so many different cultures. By living here I’m always curious about another one’s culture. Being that I’m a public health student I have to be expose and learn about other people cultures. It helps to keep an open mind about the community. I did an interview with a professor here at NCCU. His name is Marco Polo Hernandez Cuevas. He’s my Spanish professor. He has really opened my eyes about the Caribbean island and Latin American culture. We talked about how he was raised, how his culture come together as a family, and the negative side of his culture.

Friends, family, and location have all shaped my culture. I am a Southern, white, Christian female from Simpsonville, South Carolina. My parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are all from the South. Therefore, race and diversity have always been prevalent in my household. I have heard the good, bad, and ugly. Regardless, I have drawn the conclusion that no matter race or culture everyone is different and should be accepted for their differences.

“Culture is what presents us with the kinds of valuable things that can fill a life. And insofar as we can recognize the value in those things and make them part of our lives, our lives are meaningful.” Gideon Rosen, Stuart Professor of Philosophy and director of the Behrman Undergraduate Society of Fellows, Princeton University.

3. “Culture is what presents us with the kinds of valuable things that can fill a life. And insofar as we can recognize the value in those things and make them part of our lives, our lives are meaningful.” Gideon Rosen, Stuart Professor of Philosophy and director of the Behrman Undergraduate Society of Fellows, Princeton University. (250-650, target 500)