Final entry

Topic 10 Lessons Learned

4/21/2024

 What have been the most impactful lessons that you have learned in this class and in this semester? In what ways have your thoughts and understanding of culture developed? Take time to write “where you were” and “where you are now.” Be specific and detailed about your experiences and what activities impacted you the most.

Last year, I embarked on my very first journey abroad to continue my education. Doing this in a foreign land offers a unique window into the soul of its culture. Of course, it was not a smooth process because there were a lot of cultural shocks; I couldn’t comprehend how people act here, and it was very difficult to even make friends but my decision to take the LLC 135 All About America class after meeting with Leslie this year has been one of the best choices I’ve made so far in this journey. LLC 135 All About America has not merely been a course; it has been an expedition into understanding the “why” behind the “what” of American behavior and societal norms. This class has helped transform my perceptions, teaching me not to see just with my eyes but with an informed mind therefore fostering my intercultural competence to operate effectively and empathetically in a multi-cultural environment.

From the onset, this class challenged me to look beyond the surface elements of American culture such as language, and food, to grasp the foundational cultural values and attitudes that guide everyday life in the US. For example, the course teachings about Althen, the American Ways, has enriched my understanding by detailing the cultural norms and values (Althen and Bennett, 2011). Althen emphasizes values such as equality, which is fundamental in American ethics and is reflected in social, legal, and political systems. Students calling their professors by their first name was one of my cultural shocks. At first, I didn’t understand why but the readings and the class lectures have helped me understand equality value in America. Understanding this has helped me appreciate why Americans place a great emphasis on equal opportunities, a concept that permeates various aspects of life from education to the workplace. Understanding these cultural values and attitudes will forever continue to help me demystify behaviors that initially seemed inexplicably.

To continue, one of the most enlightening aspects of the class was the daily journal entries. This is because the daily entries have made me reflect on myself, America, and my country Ghana. Each of the entries has made me reflect on the cultural and societal connections and contradictions between America and Ghana, which I had never thought about or even knew in the first place. For example, Hofstede’s cultural dimension on individualism versus collectiveness has helped me understand the strong emphasis on personal freedom and self-reliance prevalent in American society (Hofstede, 2011). This dimension was particularly enlightening, contrasting sharply with the more collectivist orientation of my home country, where community and familial ties hold important sway over personal choices. Whenever I go out of my room and just stare around, I see the difference in culture, and this is because of how everyone here is just busy doing their own thing as well as personal freedom which is different from my country Ghana. It just feels different. By continuously comparing my own cultural background with the American ways through these journal entries, I learned a great deal about myself; my bias, assumptions, and how my culture shapes my worldview.

To conclude, the activities in this class not only broadened my understanding of cultural differences but also equipped me with the tools to empathetically engage with them. Learning about these cultural dimensions, and values has enabled me to navigate social interactions more effectively, ensuring that I respect and appreciate the diversity of perspectives that I encounter. Also, activities such as daffodil festivals, and in-class group activities have made me bond with people in class and some of them are going to be my forever friends. Thanks to this class I have been able to gain knowledge of the American culture as well as make life-long friends, making my study abroad not just memorable but truly enlightening. I have attached pictures of some of the outdoor activities we did as a class, and the friends I made through this class.                                                                                  

Trip to Museum

TOPIC 9

4/20/2024

Choose one display at the museum that makes an impression on you. Briefly describe the display (approximately 2 sentences). Why does it make an impression on you? What conclusions can you come to from this display? Can you relate this display and its messages to any of our class topics so far? Explain any connections and reinforcement or contradictions of class topics.

 

 

The historical artifact I have chosen is the Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence and freedom. The Liberty Bell is a massive bronze bell, with a distinctive crack running down its side that is an important and symbolic artifact in American history. The Liberty Bell gained iconic importance when abolitionists in their efforts to put an end to slavery throughout America adopted it as a symbol. It then serves as a reminder of the struggle for independence and the values upon which the United States was founded. It symbolizes freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and these are principles that are deeply ingrained in American culture as described by Althen in the American Ways book.  (Althen and Bennett, 2011). This historical artifact stands proudly in Philadelphia echoing the history of America’s struggle for liberty. This display makes a profound interest in me due to its rich historical significance and the powerful message it conveys. Whenever I see pictures of it, I am reminded of the sacrifices made by those who fought for independence and the enduring values of democracy, liberty, and equality as learned in class. For example, George Washington, the commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, whose resolve and strategic awareness turned the tide in favor of colonies against British rule. Also, Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, articulated the colonies’ reasons for seeking independence from the British and his eloquent prose helped declare the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness therefore echoing the liberty bell inscription calling for liberty not forgetting how he purchased Louisiana in 1803 to expand the Westward and also the expansion of US today.

The Liberty Bell can be related to our class discussions on the American Revolution and the formation of democratic principles. Its inscription, “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land unto All the Inhabitants thereof,” reinforces the themes of freedom and equality discussed in class. Also, it reflects the significance of symbols in shaping America’s national identity and collective memory.

In conclusion, the Liberty Bell is not just a historical artifact; it’s a symbol of the enduring values that form the foundation of the United States. It reinforces the importance of preserving and honoring history, even in the moment of struggle and imperfection. Its display serves as a reminder of the country’s journey and the principles that continue to guide its path.

Trip to Gloucester

Topic #8: Learning from our trip off campus.

04/13/2024. 

Think about your day off campus. Take a picture of something that sparks your interest.

What does that picture mean for you? Refer to any of the questions below to guide your
commentary.
OR Answer any or all of these questions about any aspect of your day:
• Did you see or experience anything that you were not expecting? Describe.
• Was there anything that particularly caught your thoughts? Describe.
• Could you relate any of our class topics to various aspects of your trip?
• Could you identify cultural influences on your own beliefs and values?
• Most importantly, what did you learn from your day?
If you did not go on the trip, comment on a recent trip, following the same guidelines. 

 

Our trip to Gloucester proved to be an eye-opening experience and also presented unexpected encounters and cultural reflections for me which I have combined into three points.

Firstly, upon arrival at Leslie’s home, I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by not only Leslie but also her three lovely and friendly dogs. This immediately caught my attention, as it was something I had not experienced before in Ghana, where owning multiple friendly dogs is relatively uncommon. This experience sparked my curiosity and led me to reflect on the cultural differences between pet ownership and companionship.

Secondly, the visit to Lesile’s home provided an opportunity for me to experience American hospitality firsthand. As we were welcomed into the house, I couldn’t help but notice the warmth and generosity with which we were received. This hospitality reminded me of similar customs in Ghana, where hosting guests with water and food is a common practice. However, what stood out as distinctly different was Leslie’s suggestion for her husband to take us on a tour of their garden and this is a gesture that is not commonly observed in Ghana hospitality customs. In Ghana, while guests may be invited to sit and relax, it is not common for hosts to offer guided tours of their gardens or even talk about the history of the gardens or home. These differences in hospitality customs highlighted the diverse ways in which cultural norms manifest in different societies. While the gesture was unfamiliar to me, it offers a deeper understanding of Leslie and her husband’s interest and passion for gardens and also their generosity and willingness to share their space with us.

Lastly, arriving at the Daffodil festival, I was surprised by the vibrant atmosphere, the number of people, and the colorful display of flowers and historical content. Initially, I was surprised by how everyone had a different table to display their unique artifacts, and this surprised me because, during festivals in Ghana, there’s no separation of artifacts everyone comes together to sing, dance, and enjoy the same festival foods. These differences highlight Hofstede’s cultural dimensions of individualism and collectiveness (Hofstede, 2011). The separation of the display of items and art highlights Americans’ acts of individualism, where everyone is expected to look out for themselves, and also fosters personal freedom, expression, and independence while Ghanaian approach to festivals highlights collectiveness where activities like singing, dancing, and eating together are communal, reflecting unity and the blurring of individual distinction in a favor of group identity and enjoyment.

The festival provided a scent of various floral arrangements and a diverse array of people from different backgrounds each displaying unique artifacts and thereby contributing to the rich tapestry of American culture as described by Althen in the American ways of life (Althen and Bennett, 2011).

Throughout the day, concepts such as hospitality, cultural differences, and the significance of traditions resonated with me as I engaged with various aspects of American culture by moving from one tent to another and taking pictures of some of the displays. As I returned to campus at the end of the day, I carried with me a deeper appreciation of the diversity of festival celebrations in America.  Below are the pictures.

 

 

HISTORY

HISTORY 

4/5/2024

In your opinion, is it important to learn the history of a culture? Why or why not?
Considering the history that you have studied so far about the U.S., what event or event(s)
strike(s) you as quite interesting? Why? Describe your reactions and thoughts about that event.
Be specific. What values (or cultural dimensions) are reflected in this event, if any? What
changes do you believe resulted for the nation due to that event?
What do you consider from your own country’s history as particularly interesting? What catches
your attention? What values (or cultural dimensions) are reflected in this event, if any? What
changes do you believe resulted for the nation due to that event?
Do the two events that you mentioned above have anything in common?

 

In my opinion, learning a particular history is very significant for several reasons and this is because learning and understanding the history of a culture provides knowledge of the culture’s values, norms, ways of life, traditions, and beliefs. This will help in a deeper appreciation of the culture, fostering respect and empathy towards people from different cultures and beliefs and also promote cross-cultural understanding. For example, my first time learning the history of the USA was in class on Tuesday and I initially had just a little or no knowledge of the history of America but the exposure to this history has helped me gain knowledge of how America came about and how certain people such as the loving couple who had to be heroes for us to enjoy the freedom we have today and this is very emphatic and has improved on my knowledge and understanding of the American culture and cultural literacy. The picture below is the picture of the Loving couple Richard and Mildred Loving and their children.

One event in the US history that strikes me as interesting is the Civil War. The Civil War was the war between the Northern states (Union) and Southern states (Confederacy) from 1861 to 1865 and this was primarily due to issues such as slavery, state rights, and the preservation of the union. Understanding this history for the first time in class evokes a mix of emotions and contemplations about how this war had a profound impact on society.  This is because the Civil War led to divisions, sacrifice, transformation, and death of more than 620,000 men which is more than any other war in U.S. history. Understanding all these made me feel sad and imagine how the humans were suffering and the loss of life experienced during the war. At the same time, learning about the abolitionist movement, and the efforts of African American soldiers to fight for freedom fills me with admiration for those who bravely stood against injustice and oppression.  The pictures below illustrate the sufferings of the people and some of the soldiers who stood for abolition.

One key value or cultural dimension reflected in this war is individualism and collectiveness as highlighted by Hofstede’s cultural dimensions that we have discussed in class. According to Hofstede, individualism is the belief in the significance of personal freedom, and self-reliance whilst collectiveness is the importance of group harmony and cooperation (Hofstede, 2011). The Civil War serves as a reflection of the differences between these opposing values. Because, the Southern states driven by a collectivist mindset, defended the institution of slavery as essential to their social and economic structure, and resisted federal intervention whilst the Northern states driven by individualistic values, advocated for the abolition of slavery, preservation of the union, and viewed slavery as a moral evil that contradicted the principles of equality and liberty.  This war resulted in the abolition of slavery, and the constitution was amended to free the enslaved people (13th amendment), to assure “equal protection under the law” for American citizens (14th amendment), and to grant black men the right to vote (15th Amendment).

I consider my country’s history particularly interesting in the struggle for independence. Because the struggle for independence was advocated by visionary leaders, like Kwame Nkrumah the first president of Ghana, spirited activism, and grassroots mobilization against the British colonial oppression. This event reflects values such as unity, courage, and patriotism. The independence movement led to a significant change in my country, including the ending of slavery, the establishment of Ghana as the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence in 1957, and the beginning of a new era of sovereignty and national pride in Ghana. The pictures below are the images of the first president of Ghana who fought for our independence.

While the Civil War and Ghana’s independence occurred in different years, they both showed the pursuit of freedom, assertion of the nation’s identity, and self-determination. In the Civil War, they fought for state’s rights which is similar to Ghana’s fight for independence.