I am lucky to be living in a homestay with another International student. Kim, who is 22 years old, is from South Korea and has been in London for about three weeks. Her and I have spent a long time talking and playing card games together and she's a very nice girl. When asked to interview someone who has learned a second language I was thrilled to be able to interview Kim. Her insight into the whole idea of learning another language were very interesting.
Kim told me that knowing English is very important, especially when getting a job. She said that many employers favor applicants who can speak English, and some even require it. She also said that as time goes by the world is more united and she doesn't know what the future holds. It's best to learn English so she can excel in the world. Learning English and actually using it are very different, though. In Korea they learn reading, writing and listening in separate classes. Now that she's learning English here in London she is struggling to combine the three aspects. She said it's very hard to mix them.
Learning English has many advantages for Kim. When she returns to Korea she will have a certificate saying that she's studied English. She will be able to get a better job, and with time her English will improve. When I asked her about the disadvantages of knowing more than one language, however, she said she doesn't really think of them. There are so many advantages that she can't find the negative.
Kim told me that she thought it was fun to learn new words. In coming to London to further her language studies she had learned about a new culture, made new friends and learned about a new world. Kim also told me that language is changing. It's confusing and strange sometimes. She has a very hard time with slang, which is understandable. I though it was very interesting that she mentioned the way our language is so dynamic, since that is exactly what we've been discussing in our classes. I think that it would be a lot easier for someone who is learning our language, rather than a native speaker, so recognize these changes since everything is new to them. For someone who's been speaking English all their life it's the normal flow of language that they're used to. I think when someone else is learning another language it is important for them to know that this change is constant. That way they can be prepared for the language to morph into a different variation inexplicably. Learning another language is a good way to exercise your mind, although if you don't have the patience and perseverance it can quickly become frustrating.
On my recent trip to Greece I realized exactly how much the English language dominates the world. On one hand it's very arrogant of us to insist that the non-English speaking countries educate their citizens and adapt their street signs, menus and other print media. On the other hand it's very useful when you're the American trying not to get lost in Athens.
I would like to learn ASL, Spanish or Khmer, the language of Cambodia. ASL and Spanish would be helpful in many situations, particularly in the workforce. When I worked in retail I had many customers who were deaf and I didn't trust my extremely limited knowledge of sign language well enough to try to communicate that way. It would have made those interactions a lot smoother to know ASL. Also along the same lines, the ability to speak Spanish is becoming ever more important in our country. The amount of Spanish-speaking people I encounter every day in America is huge, and although I took 3 years of Spanish classes in middle and high school I can't hold a conversation. I encountered many Spanish-speaking people when I worked retail, including a large number of people who would yell at me in Spanish. I understood enough of what they were saying to know that I was the source of their frustration, but I couldn't respond in their native tongue. It made a huge gap in the way I dealt with those customers because we weren't communicating in the same way. Finally, since my recent mission trip to Cambodia I've decided that it would be fun, although not particularly useful, to learn Khmer. I picked up a few words while I was there, but if I ever decided to return to Cambodia for more missions work I would love to be able to speak the language.
Overall, the ability to speak more than one language is very important. It seems that English holds a prominent place in the world, and I'm lucky that I can already speak it. I appreciate and admire those who are dedicated enough to learn a second, third or fourth language. It is something I don't think my brain is suited for.
Thursday 6 November 2008
Friday 17 October 2008
Diamond In The Rough
My identity has many facets. There are many categories and subcategories that I could use to attempt to put the description of who I am into words. I feel, however, that the one that's been laid most heavily on my mind lately is the idea of my national identity. National identity is a person's place within a nation. People will often ask "what does it mean to be American?" The answers would make up that person's national identity; things such as rights and privileges, historical events and aspects of daily life. Personally, I think of my national identity by the way that people from other nations see us. I love asking non-Americans what they think of the American people and culture. The answers are always surprising, often humorous, and frequently true. To me, the view that we portray is our identity.
One of the characteristics of the American identity is that we are very loud, we tend to open up conversation to deep, personal things quite quickly in relationships, and we are very focused on ourselves and our own agendas. I don't always fall into those stereotypes, but I admit that at times I do. In contrast, the British people are very reserved, yet not unfriendly. They don't immediately delve into the deepest, most personal parts of who they are, and share their emotions sparingly. This, of course, does not apply to all Brits all the time. My host mom has spent many hours over tea and digestives telling me her thoughts and opinions with passion and emotion, although I've only known her for a few weeks.
The other night as I was spending time with a new group of friends I've made since arriving here in fair-weathered London I began sharing the way I'm going to look at America differently when I return home. Because I myself am more reserved I feel like I fit into the British culture very well. The already apparent difference between my personality and the American cultural norms will seem even more pronounced after spending so much time amongst the British culture. Also, I always feel more aware of our faults as a nation after returning from another country. Things such as the way we treat each other, our government, our cultural norms and what we place value in will seem skewed and out of place. I think I'll feel that we are constantly putting ourselves on pedestals as a nation, and I'll be constantly wanting to humble myself. I won't necessarily stand out to others, but I'll feel out of place. Being able to see these differences and perspectives will influence the way I think, feel and act. It will affect the things that I value, such as family and relationships, and eventually be modeled in the way I raise my family.
Taking time to examine one's own identity is vital. Everyone should be familiar with his or her own identity, and then allow themselves to see it from another culture's perspective. Where you are personally is almost irrelevant if you don't know how you fit in with, or stand out to, the rest of the world. It's only when you know your similarities and differences with the world around you that you can begin to solidify your own identity.
One of the characteristics of the American identity is that we are very loud, we tend to open up conversation to deep, personal things quite quickly in relationships, and we are very focused on ourselves and our own agendas. I don't always fall into those stereotypes, but I admit that at times I do. In contrast, the British people are very reserved, yet not unfriendly. They don't immediately delve into the deepest, most personal parts of who they are, and share their emotions sparingly. This, of course, does not apply to all Brits all the time. My host mom has spent many hours over tea and digestives telling me her thoughts and opinions with passion and emotion, although I've only known her for a few weeks.
The other night as I was spending time with a new group of friends I've made since arriving here in fair-weathered London I began sharing the way I'm going to look at America differently when I return home. Because I myself am more reserved I feel like I fit into the British culture very well. The already apparent difference between my personality and the American cultural norms will seem even more pronounced after spending so much time amongst the British culture. Also, I always feel more aware of our faults as a nation after returning from another country. Things such as the way we treat each other, our government, our cultural norms and what we place value in will seem skewed and out of place. I think I'll feel that we are constantly putting ourselves on pedestals as a nation, and I'll be constantly wanting to humble myself. I won't necessarily stand out to others, but I'll feel out of place. Being able to see these differences and perspectives will influence the way I think, feel and act. It will affect the things that I value, such as family and relationships, and eventually be modeled in the way I raise my family.
Taking time to examine one's own identity is vital. Everyone should be familiar with his or her own identity, and then allow themselves to see it from another culture's perspective. Where you are personally is almost irrelevant if you don't know how you fit in with, or stand out to, the rest of the world. It's only when you know your similarities and differences with the world around you that you can begin to solidify your own identity.
Friday 10 October 2008
Experience for the Young
Having spent the last three weeks in London (I can't believe it's already been that long!) I've gotten to know my home-stay "mom", Ellen, quite well. Many evenings have been spend sharing tea and cookies, and talking about our pasts, presents and futures. When asked to interview an older member of the British community I knew I wanted to talk to her about her life experiences. She was very willing to answer my questions, provided I paid her with some of the home-made fudge I received from home, so with tea and chocolate in tow we headed towards the living room.
Although I've heard many stories of her childhood experiences over the last few weeks, I started out by asking her what kinds of things she did with her family as a child. They had no TV when she was young, so they would often gather around the radio to listen to their favorite ghostly radio show called Appointment With Fear. Every Sunday afternoon was spent playing board games, picnicking in the park, and sometimes going for a swim or seeing a film at the local cinema. As she's told me before, she had a very happy childhood with an extremely close-knit family. Her mother used to say that the dining room table was the most important piece of furniture in the house. It was where the family came together to share the experiences of their day and enjoy time together. She always has valued family above all else, and she talked in great detail about how she's worked hard to pass that along to her children and grandchildren. Times are changing, though, and she knows it.
I asked Ellen about the important social changes that have taken place over the years and how they've affected the culture. Her first response was that kids spend too much time in front of the TV and computer these days. Too much of life is planned out, with set times for everything. Family life is becoming more and more scattered. Besides family, she said that neighbors aren't friendly to each other like they used to be. She doesn't even know some of the families that live around her. Ellen feels that the importance of family and community isn't shared by many English people anymore. The culture is becoming more and more of a "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality, rather than the more laid back, content with what they had attitude of the past. She told me several times that kids today just have too much stuff, and I wholeheartedly agree.
When I was a child, which wasn't all that long ago, I remember that our favorite Saturday night activity was to put the microwave in the middle of the kitchen counter, insert a bag of popcorn, turn off all the lights in the house and watch it slowly rotate as it popped. Simple things like that were all it took to entertain my brother and I and bring laughter into our household. Now, only a decade or so later, I notice the changes. I regularly babysit two young children, and it takes an entire room full of stuffed animals, Star Wars action figures, books, Legos, foam swords and dress-up costumes to get them through the six hours that I care for them. Although I think my family did a very good job of not letting our focus be on things rather than people, I feel that America has always been very material-minded. In my opinion, technological changes in the US have done the most damage. The kid who had the Game Boy was not as cool as the kid who had the Game Boy Color. It's a steady progression, and it's not exactly doing wonders for the family unit. I can definitely feel a separation in my own family now that TV shows and X-Box games rule our evenings, rather than the ghost stories and board games we used to share.
Ellen gave me an important piece of advice. She stressed the importance of keeping a family close together, and passing along that mindset to the younger generations. Although it's a lesson I was taught growing up, it adds a lot of value when an older member of society acknowledges it. Although I'm not anywhere close to starting my own family, I'll definitely do my very best to model closeness, sharing experiences, and holding on to the ones I love, despite what our culture beckons.
Although I've heard many stories of her childhood experiences over the last few weeks, I started out by asking her what kinds of things she did with her family as a child. They had no TV when she was young, so they would often gather around the radio to listen to their favorite ghostly radio show called Appointment With Fear. Every Sunday afternoon was spent playing board games, picnicking in the park, and sometimes going for a swim or seeing a film at the local cinema. As she's told me before, she had a very happy childhood with an extremely close-knit family. Her mother used to say that the dining room table was the most important piece of furniture in the house. It was where the family came together to share the experiences of their day and enjoy time together. She always has valued family above all else, and she talked in great detail about how she's worked hard to pass that along to her children and grandchildren. Times are changing, though, and she knows it.
I asked Ellen about the important social changes that have taken place over the years and how they've affected the culture. Her first response was that kids spend too much time in front of the TV and computer these days. Too much of life is planned out, with set times for everything. Family life is becoming more and more scattered. Besides family, she said that neighbors aren't friendly to each other like they used to be. She doesn't even know some of the families that live around her. Ellen feels that the importance of family and community isn't shared by many English people anymore. The culture is becoming more and more of a "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality, rather than the more laid back, content with what they had attitude of the past. She told me several times that kids today just have too much stuff, and I wholeheartedly agree.
When I was a child, which wasn't all that long ago, I remember that our favorite Saturday night activity was to put the microwave in the middle of the kitchen counter, insert a bag of popcorn, turn off all the lights in the house and watch it slowly rotate as it popped. Simple things like that were all it took to entertain my brother and I and bring laughter into our household. Now, only a decade or so later, I notice the changes. I regularly babysit two young children, and it takes an entire room full of stuffed animals, Star Wars action figures, books, Legos, foam swords and dress-up costumes to get them through the six hours that I care for them. Although I think my family did a very good job of not letting our focus be on things rather than people, I feel that America has always been very material-minded. In my opinion, technological changes in the US have done the most damage. The kid who had the Game Boy was not as cool as the kid who had the Game Boy Color. It's a steady progression, and it's not exactly doing wonders for the family unit. I can definitely feel a separation in my own family now that TV shows and X-Box games rule our evenings, rather than the ghost stories and board games we used to share.
Ellen gave me an important piece of advice. She stressed the importance of keeping a family close together, and passing along that mindset to the younger generations. Although it's a lesson I was taught growing up, it adds a lot of value when an older member of society acknowledges it. Although I'm not anywhere close to starting my own family, I'll definitely do my very best to model closeness, sharing experiences, and holding on to the ones I love, despite what our culture beckons.
Friday 3 October 2008
The Problem With Life Is...
Have you ever wished that life contained background music? I personally think it would be wonderful to hear a good rock song while I'm strolling down the sidewalk, or a beautiful symphony when I'm happy. Perhaps the most useful would be the unmistakeable sound of danger music when you need a little warning. But I also happen to think that having an audible narrator would be a good addition to life.
I was riding the tube last night full of joy because I was about to attend a Christian prayer and worship night at ULU. I sat there listening to Sherwood and The Fold on my iPod and could almost hear a voice dictating my feelings and emotions word for word. My mind then wandered to an idea for a short film involving someone who could hear what they were thinking and feeling, and how that would affect the way they acted and responded to things. Can you imagine how much of an attitude adjustment would take place when you were being told exactly what your attitude was? I think at first it would be quite annoying, since human nature is to deny it and cover it up. But if I was to actually listen to the verbal account of what's going on in my head I think it would help me see where I was wrong and what I needed to change. You can't hide from something that's staring you right in the face.
The problem with life is that we have a way to hide from it. Silence. Maybe we can be our own narrators, showing ourselves where we are wrong. I think it would change the way we see ourselves, others, and the world.
I was riding the tube last night full of joy because I was about to attend a Christian prayer and worship night at ULU. I sat there listening to Sherwood and The Fold on my iPod and could almost hear a voice dictating my feelings and emotions word for word. My mind then wandered to an idea for a short film involving someone who could hear what they were thinking and feeling, and how that would affect the way they acted and responded to things. Can you imagine how much of an attitude adjustment would take place when you were being told exactly what your attitude was? I think at first it would be quite annoying, since human nature is to deny it and cover it up. But if I was to actually listen to the verbal account of what's going on in my head I think it would help me see where I was wrong and what I needed to change. You can't hide from something that's staring you right in the face.
The problem with life is that we have a way to hide from it. Silence. Maybe we can be our own narrators, showing ourselves where we are wrong. I think it would change the way we see ourselves, others, and the world.
Thursday 2 October 2008
Our Own British Confidant
Out on the street our group, made up of Steven, Gabby, and myself, met up with a young British man named Luke who gave us an interesting take on the British value system. He gave us an initial disclaimer that he was not like the typical British people, mostly because of his strong Christian faith and the way he was raised. He did, however, have strong thoughts about the way the good people of London feel about their personality preference, specifically the idea of doing, and their short-term versus long-term thinking.
Contrary to the American mindset, Britans don't focus on how much a person can produce and what they can achieve or attain. They feel like you can determine who you are based on your thoughts and attitudes. It's not a requirement to be at the top of your class or be the highest-producing employee in the company, it's a possibility.
Luke also told us that there isn't really a single opinion about short-term or long-term thinking. Everyone is different. Personally he is very short-term, only thinking about what's happening now. But he said many of his friends have their lives completely planned out. It all depends on who you talk to.
The one thing Luke told us, however, was that a lot of it is changing. London is becoming more "Americanized" and there is a shift in thinking in a wide range of aspects. More focus is put on doing and producing than before, and everything is becoming more fast-paced in general.
All in all, it seems that London is a very diverse culture of it's own. It's very hard to determine exactly what is valuable to everyone as a group without polling a large number of people. I think America is very much the same way, although maybe we "adopt" values just to fit in to the culture we've created. I think it would be good for our nation as a whole to stick to what's important to them and stand by their values, no matter what the culture tries to tell them. We might find that we're a lot more unified than we thought we were.
Contrary to the American mindset, Britans don't focus on how much a person can produce and what they can achieve or attain. They feel like you can determine who you are based on your thoughts and attitudes. It's not a requirement to be at the top of your class or be the highest-producing employee in the company, it's a possibility.
Luke also told us that there isn't really a single opinion about short-term or long-term thinking. Everyone is different. Personally he is very short-term, only thinking about what's happening now. But he said many of his friends have their lives completely planned out. It all depends on who you talk to.
The one thing Luke told us, however, was that a lot of it is changing. London is becoming more "Americanized" and there is a shift in thinking in a wide range of aspects. More focus is put on doing and producing than before, and everything is becoming more fast-paced in general.
All in all, it seems that London is a very diverse culture of it's own. It's very hard to determine exactly what is valuable to everyone as a group without polling a large number of people. I think America is very much the same way, although maybe we "adopt" values just to fit in to the culture we've created. I think it would be good for our nation as a whole to stick to what's important to them and stand by their values, no matter what the culture tries to tell them. We might find that we're a lot more unified than we thought we were.
Thursday 25 September 2008
Across the Pond
Hello from London! After two flights across the ocean and the unique experience of navigating airport security by myself for the first time, I arrived with the group of almost 30 students at the Dilke House. Here we had a short orientation and were soon send off via taxis to our homestays. I met my roommate, Bethany, on the first flight so I didn't feel completely lost when the London experience began. Our homestay "mom" is a very nice older woman named Helen who warmly welcomed us into her home and made us part of her family.
Although I dislike air travel, this trip as a whole wasn't a very bad experience. Physically I didn't feel well the entire trip, but mentally I was excited and enthusiastic about everything that was going on. I loved the thrill of "moving" away from home and in with a roommate, which is something that I have never done at home. I am learning, however, that it's not as easy as I thought. I don't have any place where I can be completely alone and I feel unsure about what I can and can't do in the house we live in, since it doesn't belong to us. Every day it will get better though, and it will feel more like home.
Navigating the tube system has been a really fun challenge for me. I thoroughly enjoy people-watching (no, I'm not a stalker) and what better place to be an observer than a crowded train in Europe? The commute from my house to the school is about 15 minutes of walking and 25 minutes of tube travel, so I have plenty of time to learn about the cultures and people of my temporary home. Luckily I've only gotten on the wrong tube once since I've been here, and I realized it soon enough that I didn't end up somewhere scary. I really wish Seattle had a transportation system that's as efficient as this.
Overall I've had a good first week. I haven't hit any huge emotional barriers yet, and I'm not laying in bed wishing I'd never come. I'm sure that thought may cross my mind at some point in the next 10 weeks, but considering my large uneasiness about flying I'll want to postpone the plane ride for as long as I can. Cheers!
Although I dislike air travel, this trip as a whole wasn't a very bad experience. Physically I didn't feel well the entire trip, but mentally I was excited and enthusiastic about everything that was going on. I loved the thrill of "moving" away from home and in with a roommate, which is something that I have never done at home. I am learning, however, that it's not as easy as I thought. I don't have any place where I can be completely alone and I feel unsure about what I can and can't do in the house we live in, since it doesn't belong to us. Every day it will get better though, and it will feel more like home.
Navigating the tube system has been a really fun challenge for me. I thoroughly enjoy people-watching (no, I'm not a stalker) and what better place to be an observer than a crowded train in Europe? The commute from my house to the school is about 15 minutes of walking and 25 minutes of tube travel, so I have plenty of time to learn about the cultures and people of my temporary home. Luckily I've only gotten on the wrong tube once since I've been here, and I realized it soon enough that I didn't end up somewhere scary. I really wish Seattle had a transportation system that's as efficient as this.
Overall I've had a good first week. I haven't hit any huge emotional barriers yet, and I'm not laying in bed wishing I'd never come. I'm sure that thought may cross my mind at some point in the next 10 weeks, but considering my large uneasiness about flying I'll want to postpone the plane ride for as long as I can. Cheers!
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