This week in class, we are talking about culture differences. During the card games, we discussed how the different rules in the game were the different culture and difference in culture we find when we go to another country. Since I lived in Brazil for the first 12 years of my life, I have had a big experience with culture change in my life. I can remember the first day I got here. I was hungry and confused. Not so much for what people were wearing because in Brazil they wear the same thing or the food, but more for the language. I didn’t know much English and my parents took me to go open a bank account and rent an apartment. It was very difficult to me in the first months because I had no idea what people were saying. Language was my biggest challenge. In class we also talked about gestures and the differences. Since Brazil is pretty similar to America, that wasn’t such a problem. However, some gestures are different. For example, the gesture we make for an O.K sign means something completely different in Brazil. Brazilians also have different symbols to say things we usually don’t want to say out loud. I was lucky because I didn’t have that much change in culture. Other people, however, aren’t so lucky. It is important to respect a country’s culture and their beliefs. As well as their cultures rules.
I had a hard time adjusting to a vacation in Europe for two weeks, so I'm sure plenty of weird things and thoughts came your way when you were trying to adjust to living here after 12 years of being somewhere else. I agree that it's important to respect other people's culture rules and beliefs because if they're not respected and preserved, they could be lost.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky you didn't have a very difficult time adjusting to the new culture. The card game was a great example of some students being "culture shocked" when they arrived at a new group and they weren't allowed to use language.
ReplyDeleteThe card game we played really reflected how sometimes we aren't so accepting of other cultures and aren't willing to understand them. It's good that you were able to pick up on American culture because it isn't that different than Brazil's.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine adjusting to a new language when I was twelve. It must have been pretty difficult but rewarding at the same time. Also, its nice that you lucked out on the similar styles of culture.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been tough moving to a different country. It's weird how much you are influenced by the people around you and how quickly you can absorb the culture around you.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been really hard for you to move here at such a young age, and barely knowing any English. Its really cool that you were able to learn English quickly because it is extremely difficult to learn a new language.
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing to not understand people when you're on a vacation, but to move to a different country and not understand anyone, that must have been one of your biggest challenges. I agree with you that we should respect other cultures, because we would want to be respected as well.
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