Stereotypes Of A Small Town Girl

Stereotyping is something we are all guilty of. Putting people into categories and creating the expectation that they will act accordingly. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, stereotype means a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudice attitude or uncritical judgement. People are constantly fitting their friends and neighbors into categories and judging them in the process. Anyone who would say that is mean and rude would be right in saying so. The mere idea that people can fit into boxes and stereotypes we have made is bizarre idea, one that is far from the truth.

During my professional, personal, and academic experiences I have always placed an extraordinary value on surrounding myself with diverse ideas, cultures, and opportunities. One of the primary reasons I chose to attend Washington State University was for the size, I enjoyed the variety of opportunities presented to me and the connections I was able to make with people from all walks of life. Academically, choosing to major in Global Politics and minor in Global Studies granted me the ability to indulge myself in a multitude of cultures, religions, languages, and general ways of thinking. This translated into my personal life while serving as President of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, where we were extremely proud to represent a diverse group of people, and work to ensure that everyone’s ideas were respected, opinions were heard, and no matter what all of our members had an opportunity to thrive while attending Washington State University. Professionally, while employed as Supervisor for the Games Department at Norpoint Entertainment I was responsible for managing employees that’s needs ranged in a variety of ways, from ideologies, ages, and their socioeconomic status. No matter where I was,

Cultural immersion is an essential part of the education experience. It has been used throughout time to allow people to understand those whose ideas and beliefs differ from their own. The experiences gained through immersing in an unfamiliar culture allow the mind to grow in ways that are beyond comprehension. Because our nation is advancing, and merging ides from other cultures, this process is more important than ever. Cynthia Kratzke and Melissa Bertolo (2013) state that if we only teach concepts and language from other cultures we are limiting the ability of future generations to be able to work with other cultures (p.1). Cultural immersion is a way for one to reach a new insight they may not have otherwise gained. Jesus Nieto (2006) says there are main goals to these experiences: 1) to interact with people of a different culture 2) to gain insight into aspects of others 3) to be of a minority group in a setting 4) to gain a new perspective on one’s own beliefs and values (p. 77).

My experience with a bilingual and bicultural upbringing has given me an insatiable curiosity for all languages, cultures, histories, and places. It has also equipped me with the necessary skills to function in diverse environments and easily adapt to new situations. When I think of my future with its many unknowns, there are a few things of which I am certain: I want to study abroad, keep uttering first words in new languages, and become a truly international citizen of the

As a student, I want to promote a worldly view to my peers and, by being open-minded, I hope to create an environment where my peers and I can view everyone as a culmination of unique and diverse experiences. I truly believe that, especially within the realm of education, people’s distinct stories and backgrounds can contribute to everyone, whether through exposing others to new ideas or providing a new outlook towards problems and discussions. As a Vietnamese-American, I am proud of the qualities that make me unique and I want to use the philosophies I have gained as an immigrant to contribute to those around

I grew up in a suburb of Kansas City for most my life. Two years ago I moved with my parents to a very small town where my dad grew up. Growing up in a larger town has shaped the way I act and feel towards people. In the small town I live in now everyone knows everyone, and everyone knows everyone’s business. That was never the case when I was growing up people minded their own business for the most part.

These environments fostered a mental flexibility that was equal parts understanding, tolerance, and adaptability. You only knew what you believed in by having it challenged. These experiences have always allowed me to appreciate and support the diversity of my peers, which I would continue to do as a law student and beyond. The perceptiveness I developed through immersion in unfamiliar situations means I can communicate successfully despite vast cultural differences, and that I will always seek to expand and share my knowledge to help bolster the atmosphere of inclusion and curiosity already prevalent at

This article addresses the call for implementing educational approaches that take into account the societal/cultural diversity of our time. In other words, it addresses educators concerned about making education more sensitive to global development, globalization, and

Merryfield examines what is global and international education. She states that educators most work to promote cultural pluralism, interconnections, and international competition. This article is important because it discusses how global education should be presented in a content specific manner in order to maximize its

forthcoming. “Diversity has long been viewed as a tool to enhance education, and research has

For this assignment social workers had to take three interviews taking from people who live in rural communities. Their backgrounds, educational levels, races, economic statuses, and opinions are as varied as the populace of the Gulf Coast. Native-born, foreign-born, and transients are all represented. Mattie D., Graylon M., and Tammy J. were asked their opinions about living, working and playing in rural areas and communities their passions and positions follow.

Occidental College separates itself from other colleges with its diverse student body, liberal arts curriculum, and its global awareness. Personally, I enjoy discussing various topics and Occidental offers a small class size, typical of a liberal arts school, which allows for critical and thought provoking discussion. Also, I can trust that my classes will stimulate my mind, knowing that I can more readily access professors as a resource and collaborate with fellow classmates on numerous notions. A diverse group further allows for greater discussion for unique ideas will be frequently introduced based on the student's experience. Additionally, I firmly believe that the study abroad option offered at Occidental College can help me gain the international experience that is important in becoming a complete world citizen. Asides from its diverse student body and incredible academic options, Occidental College also provides student with access to the culturally vast city of Los Angeles. Occidental College's immediate surroundings are comfortable and when combined with tremendous academic options and student

Individuals in college campuses often become wrapped in a bubble of their own courses and their involvement in the college life, which has both its benefits and its drawbacks. Students need to be able to immerse themselves in the real world once they step off that college campus in four years. With the knowledge they would obtain in this course, individuals would have a deeper understanding in this course individuals would be able to have a deeper understanding of the situations in which different people around the world are involved; they also will be able to better interact with individuals from different backgrounds.

“The number of Americans studying abroad has tripled over the last 20 years, but, still, fewer than 10 percent of college students study overseas during undergraduate years”. (Kristof) The ideals America has set in response to a changing world has prompted fear in its citizens, who are now unwilling to chase their desire to explore a new land. While the rest of the world has shown an opposite reaction to a changing world as, “Three times as many foreigner’s study in America”. (Kristof) American citizens has become reluctant to chase the desire all humans have to experience something new and this is becoming a problem as “growing numbers of seniors will finance retirement by moving to cheaper countries like Mexico, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica”. (Kristof) Americans that fear traveling to another place to study instead choose to take a language class for four years in their educational institution. “It makes in since to study Spanish in college… it’s more effective to move to Bolivia, study or get a job and fall in love”. (Kristof) It has been proven time and time again that people can learn through a logos path of teaching such as those universities adopt, but if you can learn something through a pathos path of teaching such as moving to another country to study its culture; you will make a much stronger and lasting connections in the brain. “I have a one-question test than people who have lived abroad do better on than those who studied in a classroom… In a foreign language you’ve studied, how do you say doorknob”.

“In 2006 to 2007, according to the data compiled by the Institute of International Education, 582,984 students from all over the world were enrolled in American colleges and universities in a wide range of fields” (Carter, Paragraph 2, 2008). The United States has the highest number of students who are coming to study abroad than any other countries. Each year, the number of international students coming to the United States to obtain degrees is increasing by thousands, and home countries of these students are primarily India, China and Korea, all located in the whole different continent. But what are the motives of students who are crossing the sea to study? Their goal of studying abroad is to experience diversity and to adapt attitudes