Personal Cultural Reflection

 1. Identify significant events in your life and aspects of your environment that have defined your own cultural identity, values, and beliefs.

I’ve actually traveled outside the U.S. a few times, so I sort of have an understanding of life outside the U.S. mostly in Europe. I like the culture in the U.S. with its smaller regional cultures such as New England with its seafood and history as the setting of many events during the American Revolution such as the Boston Tea Party, or the state of Louisiana with its past as a French colony and the descendants of those colonial residents, the Cajuns. Sometimes it’s near to see what other places are like even if they are similar or extremely different than the U.S. Also, what I learned not only in an educational setting, but at home or anywhere else has shaped me into the person who I am along with my values.

2. Reflect and list your social and cultural views and biases.

My cultural views and biases are probably the average ones such as to treat people as how you want to be treated, importance of family, and doing the best you can. I believe these are all universal values but can be seen through different lenses.

3.   Explain how your views and biases could affect and influence your interactions and relationships with people from other cultures.

I’ve always had an interest in the outside world and experiencing cultural norms in other places can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. During my time in Barcelona, I have tried to speak some Spanish and Catalan, but whenever I have trouble, I use English, because I don’t know every word in Spanish or Catalan. I recommend learning simple things such as numbers, colors, and greetings, then you can go all the way or stay where you are. Even when I make a mistake the locals are nice about it and tell me not to worry. Sometimes I think it is better to fail with effort.