Did you sit back and observe the culture? Did you jump right in? How long was it until you were able to really relax? Were you ever? Every culture has rules and assumptions that are not immediately visible or articulated. For example, how is an agreement expressed? Is information commonly shared on the basis of one’s function or through long-standing personal ties? Should feedback be given and received in more direct of or more indirect ways? How should one demonstrate respect for persons in high status roles? Do you remember the “answer” to these from your Peace Corps country? Were you able to relax and learn about the local culture at the same time? Share with us your story.
Can you relax and learn about the local culture at the same time?
Posted by Laurette Bennhold-Samaan on Wednesday, May 20th 2009
About Crossing Cultures: The New You
When you went on your Peace Corps assignment you brought with you much more than just your baggage. You brought along your culture. Remember those aspects of your new place that made you feel uncomfortable - something ordinary that you did that may have angered or annoyed others. It might not have been until much later that you realized what had really happened and were able to make some sense out of it. And then there were those moments that you will never forget, those simple moments of magic - a moment of true understanding, a shared laugh or point of view, communication understood, a connection. We want to hear your stories, the moments of discomfort and then insight, or of magic.
Categories
- Uncategorized (7)
Blogs
- Peace Corps Writers
- Short Stories by Peace Corps Writers
- Books Published by Peace Corps Writers
- Peace Corps Experience Books
- The Peace Corps Experience
- Journals of Peace
- Remembering the ’70s
- Peace Corps in the 21st Century
- PodCasting Colombia
- Once in Afghanistan
- Peace Corps: Public Records
- Hugh Pickens Writes Writes
- Jobs for the PC Community
- You Call Yourself A Teacher?!
- Your Money: In the New Economy
- Your Money: Popular Freakonomics
- Environment - Light, Not Heat
- Homesteading: Starting from Scratch
- Humor: Off the Matrix
- Man Facing West
- Cooking Crocodiles & Other Food Musings
- Vino Fino
- The Arts: On Writing and Publishing
- The Arts: Writing Right
- Peace Photography
- Travel: Train Treks
- Archives
- John Coyne Babbles

1 Comments So Far»
Welcome back, Laurette! We’ve missed your blogs.
Leave Comments Below»