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The final results of my survey came to e a 58. After recalculating my score, I had g’s (11) and g’s (3) and one 5. My score indicates that I am more aware of intercultural communication and awareness and competence. Even though I did score high, I am still dealing with some barriers to intercultural communication. One barrier is Anxiety, because I do not know what is expected of me. On the plane I actually sat beside some Tacos. I was kind of nervous to talk to them because they did not understand what I was saying. This is an example of my anxiety issues.
For example, questions like Will my host parents get ad if I speak English all the time? Will I offend them if I do speak English? Will they get frustrated if I do not understand their Spanish right away? How do I talk to them in general? Those were Just some of the questions that were going through my mind. Having the experience with different cultures has toned down my anxiety a little, but I still have it. That is why I wanted to stay with a host family in Costa Rica, so I can really learn their culture and Just relax around them. When I arrived to see my host family, they made me feel so warm and at home.
I think they knew I was nervous but hey did not treat me different at all. I can say that I have overcome my Anxiety this week in Costa Rica. Confidence plays a big part in this barrier as well. Sometimes I will sit outside with my host mom and we will talk about anything. Just the fact that she wants to know about my family and me make it easier for me to relax. My host father does not speak English, so when he talks to me, he works to make sure I understand what he is talking about. This makes me feel so much better because he is willing to learn English, as I am to learn Spanish.
I would like to improve my own intercultural awareness by simply interacting with different individuals. I think the more I can get out and communicate with different people; my confidence level will be high and my anxiety will eventually go away. Witnessing my host family in Costa Rica and how they interact through out the community shows me different dimension in the culture. Masculinity versus Femininity is seen a lot in the Costa Rican culture. This culture places a high value on masculine traits, competition, and material success. In a traditional Costa Rican home the woman is a housewife and the Cubans is the breadwinner.
Like my host family, my host mother is a stay at home mom and my host father works. Costa Rica is a Catholic country so most homes abide by the tradition. A big issue here is women not wanting to get sterilized versus the men. Ninety-Five percent of women get sterilized because their husbands do not want to, only five percent of men will get sterilized. Machismo is the term used to describe the male authority, pride, aggression and dominance. Machismo can be seen in friendship, work, leisure and politics. On the other hand some men allow heir wives to work and treat them equally.
Costa Rica is a nice traditional country The people are so nice and friendly in Athena. I was not expecting the people to b welcoming. The first thought that comes to mind when I think of Costa Rica is Spanish. I took Spanish when I was in high school, so I was excited to learn it gaga The fact that I was going to Latin America motivated me to learn Spanish. Images the beach and Latin dancing come to mind as another motivation. I would think of Latin dancing as a stereotype because not all Latin Americans know how to do LATA dance. I think the most common stereotype is that they are very religious.
I think just depends on the family and their tradition but Costa Ricans are very relaxed. Are not as strict as I thought. For example, I thought you could not wear shorts ABA the knee and I got here I saw shorts, skirts and dresses. In addition, I have learned about some Costa Rican policies, cultures, practices and programs. One of the Co Rican policies includes the health policy. There is a conflict about this health police right now because of the American influence. The traditional Costa Rican home is bout healthy eating, but now since some American restaurants have come, obese starting to become a problem.
People do not walk as much as they use to, Physical Education is not enforced in the schools anymore. The American food culture is taking place of their Costa Rican food, which consists of vegetables and fruits. Obesity is one of the biggest health problems in America because people fail to exercise or eat right. The Costa Rican culture is also based on the Catholic Church Each family follows their own guideline or rules to the Catholic Church. One of the orgasm is the Red Cross; they are very interesting because they provide the ambulance when an individual calls the police.
In America the Red Cross does no transportation when someone calls the police. In America and Costa Rica, the Red Cross does go into the community and teach kids about CPRM and first aid. The Coos Rican is a lot more conservative than the American culture, but both are the same different areas. My participation in this study abroad program will definitely help to communicate more with diverse populations. I will learn to be confident in ha m saying especially if I can speak the language. I will not be so nervous and ANSI Most importantly I will always be willing to learn new cultures.
The Costa Rican culture is very conservative and laid back. The Tacos are friendly people and enjoy learning about America. Their wives to work and treat them equally. Costa Rica is a nice traditional country. The people are so nice and friendly in Athena. I was not expecting the people to be so Spanish. I took Spanish when I was in high school, so I was excited to learn it again. The fact that I was going to Latin America motivated me to learn Spanish. Images of Latin dancing as a stereotype because not all Latin Americans know how to do Latin dance.
I think the most common stereotype is that they are very religious. I think it just depends on the family and their tradition but Costa Ricans are very relaxed. They are not as strict as I thought. For example, I thought you could not wear shorts above about some Costa Rican policies, cultures, practices and programs. One of the Costa Rican policies includes the health policy. There is a conflict about this health policy about healthy eating, but now since some American restaurants have come, obesity is exercise or eat right.