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Fall Schedule 2010
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This is a sample of multi-cultural exercise. There are some places that may need editing, but on the whole, it is what I need. 3210 82nd St Ste 214 Phone: (806) 555-1224Lubbock, TX 79423-1939 _________________________________ Memo Memo To: President Bob Garamond From: Juan Gonsales Subject: How to Help a Student to Overcome Cross-Cultural Communication Problems Date: November 10, 2004
Purpose The purpose of this memo is to try and help international students from Mexico accommodate to the American culture when put in on-campus social occasions. Introduction The American culture differs from the rich and storied culture of Mexico. The Mexicans may view something as offensive or unfair while the Americans may see it to be trivial or unimportant. For example, a transfer student may have a difficult transition to college life because of the different grading system or class schedules. This occurs because of America’s low-context culture. These two cultures clash because the Mexican culture is high-context. Sometimes during a social event, there may be a conflict because of the opposing cultures. If people take the time to study the other culture, they will begin to have more respect for one another, and the conflict can be avoided. Americans tend to be more direct and up front with their opinions and comments because of their low-context culture. They do not always take into account how they might affect the person with whom they are speaking. On the other hand, Mexicans tend to read body language and facial expressions because of their high-context culture. They can read emotions that other cultures may not even be aware that they are showing. These differences can cause a breakdown in the communication process. This breakdown can then cause a misunderstanding. Mexicans are also very family oriented and believe in togetherness. This is not common in America since they have been geared more toward individuality. It is imperative that transfer students at Texas Tech University, or any other college, are taught the intricacies of the American culture. It is also important for them to be placed around Americans who understand and can relate to their culture. Accommodating a foreign transfer student will take some time, but it will definitely be beneficial in the long run. In this memo, I hope to bridge the gap between the two cultures and show that they can coexist in a social setting. Problematic Situations and Solutions Americans often engage in social outings, and some typical American outings include parties, sporting events, or movies. A favorite American pastime is socializing at events where one can feel comfortable and content. A Mexican boy or girl, especially being a young student, may feel pressured to attend a social occasion. This is a good opportunity for the student to learn more about the American culture in a laid back and relaxed setting, such as dinner or a baseball game. Although this can be a positive experience, the Mexican student must not allow his or her cultural biases to sway their adjustment in the U.S.A. Here are some issues a Mexican student may be faced with at a social event or outing. One problem that the Mexican student may encounter is body language. Eye contact is a strong form of body language, and Americans find that good, strong, direct eye contact is a form of respect. Showing eye contact is a strong type of non-verbal communication, and it shows security and self dignity in oneself, while receiving direct eye contact means receiving honesty and reverence. Mexicans, on the other hand, usually try and avoid direct eye contact, as with most other high-context cultures, because of status. Americans may feel that they are being disrespected, lied to, or not given full attention by an international student avoiding eye contact. The best bet of an international student, such as a Mexican, is to give direct eye contact to whomever he or she is speaking to, whether it is an older person, such as a professor, or someone of the same age, such as a roommate. The Mexican student should not feel intimidated by someone older or of higher status, instead, he or she should use direct eye contact, and he or she will gain respect of the person he or she are speaking to. Since social events require social interaction, good communication is crucial between the Mexican student and American students. Communication barriers could be another problem of a Mexican student at an American social event. Americans tend to be rather blunt and outgoing, which may take the Mexican student by surprise at first. In the case that an American student is to ask a personal question, the Mexican student should try and respond as openly as he or she can, while also using eye contact. Furthermore, Americans, being a low-context culture, will respect individualism of other nationalities while curiosity may prompt personal questions. Because Americans are so outgoing and verbal, they may take offense at unanswered questions, so the Mexican student should try his or her best to answer any questions the interested Americans might ask.
Another predicament that Mexican students may face while in America is that most Americans tell it how it is and do not take into consideration the other persons feelings as much as many other countries do. Most Americans are firm believers in criticism, constructive or otherwise. They do not mean it offensively, though sometimes it seems to come out that way, so international students need to make sure and not take offense. Even if the American student is trying to be helpful, the Mexican student may not see it that way and believe that the American student is just being harsh and insensitive. In conclusion, both boys and girls are taught to be very independent from a young age in the United States. They are taught to know how to work in groups but generally their first instincts are to look out for themselves and as selfish as it may seem, to help themselves first. However, Mexican students more traditionally work together in order to accomplish their goals before attempting to do it on their own. It may be hard on a student from Mexico since he or she will more than likely be feeling left out and alone. Also since Americans are so independent, they do not always go out and introduce themselves, so international students may have to make the first move. When playing a sport or doing any other activity in large groups, the international student should not be shy, but rather do his/her best to be bold and assertive. Even if the student from Mexico is unable to be confident at an event, he or she needs to make sure not to take the way that the Americans act personally. Conclusion It does not take long to tell that there are some huge differences in the way Americans communicate and interact with each other, and the way Mexicans interact with each other. What most Americans would consider polite or normal, someone from Mexico may see as completely improper and out of place. With a few wrong words or gestures, an American could easily be labeled as offensive to someone of another culture. As a university that welcomes diversity, it is important to keep in mind that there will always be many different cultures representing Texas Tech. The more we make an effort to help bring all of these different types of people together, the better off the university will be as a whole. While others adjust to the American way of life, we should help make their transition as easy as possible, and this means that we need to be aware of the different interpretations of the things we say or do in other cultures. There are certain factors that should be considered if one is going from a high-context culture (like Mexico) to a low-context culture (America). One factor is understanding that high-context cultures value non-verbal interactions, like looking someone in the eyes. Mexico’s high-context culture is also a lot less individualized and more collectivistic than America’s low-context culture. An international student from Mexico is also not accustomed to hearing a lot of criticism. If we just pay attention to these details, an international student’s transition into America can be an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.
The essay explains adequately the cultural differences between America and Mexico and how they can be used as guidelines to create effective communication between American students and Mexican students. The use of cross-cultural communication theories is proper but could be more adequate.
Reader’s Job Title: Student
Kind of Reader: Primary __X__ Secondary ______
Education: High School Graduate
Professional Experience: N/A
Job Responsibilities: N/A
Personal Characteristics: N/A
Personal Preferences: N/A
Cultural Characteristics: Mexican
Attitude Toward the Writer: Has no problems
Attitude Toward the Subject: Very interested
Expectations about the Subject: To be explanatory
Expectations about the Document: To be very informative and helpful
Reasons for Reading the Document: To better understand the American culture and learn how to adapt to it
Way of Reading the Document: Skim it _____ Study it __X__ Read a portion of it _____ Which portion? Modify it and submit it to another reader ______ Attempt to implement recommendations _____ Use it to perform a task or carry out a procedure __X__ Use it to create another document ______ Other _____ Explain.
Reading Skill: Intermediate
Reader’s Physical Environment: School dorms
Julie Box, Shola Ladejobi, Deron Lucero, Frederick Rudd, Brittney Schram
The audience profile sheet still needs improving. Too many items are left blank. |
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