Appreciation Of Other Cultures Research Articles

Fostering Global Talent Through Virtual Study Abroad: A Comparative Case Study

Japanese universities often rely on overseas study to foster global talent. The COVID pandemic restricted travel, canceling many overseas programs. This paper examines the shift from a short-term study abroad program for Japanese STEM graduate students, to a ‘virtual study abroad’ experience with a partner institution in Australia. The real-world and virtual iterations of this program are considered in relation to the three official aims of fostering ‘global jinzai’ : developing communication ability in a foreign language (English) ; gaining an understanding and appreciation of other cultures; becoming active members of society. This study examines TOEIC results and exit surveys from real-world and virtual iterations of the program, to clarify how virtual study abroad supports the development of global talent in STEM.

Fruitless Search for Coherence: A Transcultural Perspective on Netflix’s Adaptation of Empresses in the Palace

ABSTRACT Structuralist narratology, which has played an instrumental part in the historical development of adaptation studies, now faces increasing criticism from culturally oriented scholars for its disregard of contextual factors. My essay argues that postclassical developments of narratology, which recognize culture as a powerful shaping force of narrative form, can effectively address the enduring bifurcation between formal and cultural approaches in adaptation studies. It uses the transpacific adaptation of a Chinese TV drama, renamed Empresses in the Palace by its Netflix adapters, as a case study to show how some of the important narrative transmutations are both motivated by and symptomatic of clashes between specific aspects of the Chinese and the American cultures. My discussion demonstrates that transcultural comparisons can not only foster understanding of adaptations as cultural encounters with inevitable narrative consequences, but also open up new space for the appreciation of other cultures, and provide fresh perspectives on one’s own cultural and narrative traditions.

Free Listening

Given the widespread ideological polarization of the current times, cultivating ways to empathize across difference has never been more important. In this essay, we outline Free Listening (FL), a pedagogical practice that helps people grow their capacity to empathetically engage others across difference by engaging in structured sessions of active empathetic listening. Our prior work demonstrates that the structured practice of FL has both affective and practical implications for how students engage with others; students leave the practice with a greater sense of awareness, appreciation for other cultures, and ability to listen across cultural and ideological boundaries. We believe FL has great promise within the teaching-and-learning process in relation to civic and community engagement, service learning, and relational praxis. In this essay, we outline the practice of FL and review literature that helps elucidate what this practice is and does. Some key themes are discussed that reveal the valuable contributions of this practice as they have emerged from our students’ and our own experience with/in FL. Finally, we trace the pedagogical implications of FL as they connect to theories of dialogue and dialogic praxis. Overall, we argue that FL should be a regular practice for pedagogues across the social sciences in order to cultivate in students the relational and empathetic skills that are needed to advance the project of depolarization—a project in which other-centeredness should be a defining feature.

Academic mobility development among university students during COVID-19 pandemic

The aim of the article is to study the academic mobility of students in the context of internationalization of education, exchange of experiences and gaining additional knowledge and skills between participants in the process of academic mobility. The research methodology is to use methods of questionnaires, surveys, interviews among students to study the prospects, advantages, disadvantages and opportunities of academic mobility. The results of the study cover the internal and external mobility of university students and provide an opportunity to assess the dynamics of quantitative indicators of international mobility. Factors influencing the academic mobility of students and graduate students are identified. The types of academic mobility that are the most common among university students are identified and the importance of academic mobility for the success of student learning and future career development is clarified. The internationalization of higher education stimulates the quality of education, the diversity of education, and the free exchange of educational resources. This, in turn, generates opportunities for students to experience a "global village" along with an appreciation for other cultures - one of the many "hidden" benefits.

The effectiveness of using stories in developing young learners’ cognitive skills

Stories are fundamental when teaching young learners and the use of stories in the English classroom offers an effective way of introducing new language in a meaningful and memorable context. Moreover, they develop an understanding, respect and appreciation for other cultures, and can promote a positive attitude to people from different lands, races and religions. So, this article deals with the importance of using stories in enhancing young learner's language skills, as well as cognitive skills.

Multi-cultural perspectives on group singing among diverse older adults

Group choir singing has been shown to have health benefits for older adults. However, because most studies have included predominantly white participants, it is unknown whether findings generalize to older adults from more diverse backgrounds. This multi-site qualitative study assessed perceived benefits of group singing for socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse older adults. We interviewed 31 choir participants, 6 music professionals and 6 administrators involved in a large, cluster-randomized trial. We used content analysis to identify themes. Psychosocial engagement was most commonly reported, with six components: emotional well-being, self-esteem, self-confidence, social connection and support, decreased loneliness, and cultural identity and multi-cultural appreciation. A few reported cognitive and physical benefits. They also suggest that group singing among ethnically diverse older adults can have multiple psychosocial benefits and enhance a sense of cultural identity and appreciation of other cultures. These findings can help in selecting structured outcome measures for choir interventions.

Using Facebook Group as a Blended Learning Medium in Teaching Cross-Cultural Understanding in Islamic Higher Education

This study aimed to investigate how social media, in this case, a Facebook group as Blended learning incorporated in teaching at Islamic Higher Education in Indonesia. Sixty-five EFL students participated in this study. The content of cross-cultural and responses in this closed group was analyzed to identify the patterns of interaction, and their responses to e-journaling through a Facebook group. The findings revealed that the students responded positively to this activity and promote the student's sense of the uniqueness of his own culture as a positive value and enables the students to accept the uniqueness of the other cultures. The power of sharing and learning from other students encourages understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

Developing Intercultural Competence via Social Media Engagement in a Language Learning Framework

Today’s EFL students need both advanced language skills and an appreciation of other cultures. Technology for language learning, however, is usually focused on language skills. Cultural understanding is rarely a primary goal. Intercultural competence was the primary goal of this study, using a technically-mediated and culturally-oriented online learning community to cultivate intercultural competence using social collaboration, understanding, reflection, and appreciation. Students in South Africa and Taiwan reacted to videos on cultural topics made by American college students. Qualitative data analysis included the social media discussions of the participants, end-of-study questions, and teacher-participant journals. Six themes in the data are presented, as well as resulting best practices for instructional design and specific author recommendations.

Increasing early childhood preservice teachers’ intercultural sensitivity through the ABCs

ABSTRACTWhile the early childhood student population has become increasingly diverse in the U.S., its teaching force remains primarily European American. The diverse student population demands that early childhood educators possess intercultural sensitivity in order to teach their culturally diverse learners effectively. This study examined the implementation of the ABCs of Cultural Understanding (the ABCs), a multicomponent instructional activity to promote intercultural sensitivity, in a preservice early childhood education course. Twenty-two early childhood preservice teachers participated in the study. The findings suggest the ABCs helped the participants develop intercultural sensitivity and strengthened their awareness and appreciation of other cultures. Despite the positive impact, the findings show most participants were in the early stages of intercultural sensitivity development. It is recommended that consistent exposure to and experiences with assignments like the ABCs are necessary to further promote intercultural sensitivity among preservice teachers.

CONTENT FEATURES OF TOLERANCE IN STUDENTS

The article deals with the problem of tolerance in the aspect of its substantial features in the Russian students. The student's period is a further development of the individual in the direction of expansion of representations about social competence, development of social interaction culture, respect for different social groups. The character of the empirically identified intergroup similarity is determined by the age-specific features of studentship as a youth group, a crucial age of the tasks associated with interpersonal and intergenerational communication, political apathy, lack of interest in the field of ethno-cultural social reality. It is shown that tolerance as respect, acceptance and appreciation of other cultures, ways of expression and manifestation of the human personality of the students is fully formed. It is revealed that in the structure of tolerance of students ethical, cognitive, affective components predominate, the least represented components being conative, need-motivation, active, stylistic, identificational and group ones. It was found out that content of tolerance is characterized by regional specificity as environmental factor.

Impact of Multicultural Environment of Islamic Educational Institutes on Students’ Acculturation

The study focuses on the effect of exposure to Multicultural and international environment of an Islamic educational institution on the acculturation of its students. Acculturation has been used in this study with a wide sense of meaning that underscores the sense of co-existence and feeling of unity. The analysis puts forth many studies that show the positive effects of intergroup contact between groups of diverse ethnic backgrounds and cultural heritages in reducing prejudice and negative stereotyping towards the out-group. This study investigated whether the Internationalization process of the International Islamic University, Malaysia, with intergroup contact taking place under optimal conditions helps its students to, appreciate the differences that other cultures bring, be comfortable with differences and also seek diversity of contact. The study employed Miville-Guzman Universality – Diversity Scale, (M-GUDS-S) to collect data by survey method from 400 IIUM undergraduate students selected using Quota sampling. 200 of them were the first year students and the rest were fourth-year students. The result showed that there is a significant improvement in the feeling of unity among the students. The fourth year students showed more appreciation for other cultures and comfort with differences. Based on the finding it has been suggested that if efforts are made to establish optimal conditions for positive intergroup contact to take place, intergroup prejudice can be reduced and problems of co-existence in the Muslim countries and communities can thus be addressed.

Postcards

Postcards Brittany Johnson Fatima Sharafeddine’s picture book, The Amazing Travels of Ibn Battuta, tells the true story of the life and experiences of Ibn Battuta. The story begins with Ibn’s birth in Tangier, Morocco, and then proceeds along with Ibn’s travels to many marvelous places throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Ibn’s narration describes his deep appreciation for other cultures and customs; in each place he visits he discovers something new and exciting. He records everything that he encounters in his many journals. When one of the journals goes missing, he re-writes what was lost as best he can from memory. During his travels Ibn faces trouble at sea and frigid temperatures. He sees things he has never seen before, such as a large gathering of about two thousand women praying at a mosque, and an asteroid. Ibn Battuta is passionate about learning and about gaining knowledge throughout the narrative. Eventually, Ibn becomes a judge; due to his vast knowledge of many cultures and traditions he is able to settle disputes and use wise judgment. The illustrations, which consist of maps and scenes from the narrative, are just as interesting and colourful as Ibn’s many experiences. This picture book is a fantastic and informative addition to any child’s collection. Fatima Sharafeddine The Amazing Travels of Ibn Battuta Illusrated by Intelaq Mohammed Ali Toronto: House of Anansi Press, 2014. 24 p. ISBN: 978-1-55498-480-0 (Picture book, 2+) Copyright © 2015 Bookbird, Inc.

American Indian Breastfeeding Folklore from the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes

Over the years, much of the folklore of breastfeeding has been lost because women did not write history, they told stories. This article shares breastfeeding lore from stories told to the authors by American Indian women from the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes on the Wind River Reservation near Lander, Wyoming. These women related stories describing treatment for milk fever (mastitis), the white man’s influence on mother/baby separation and its outcome, elderly women inducing lactation, breastfeeding and birth control, and how women dressed for ease of breastfeeding in former times. It is with appreciation for other cultures that we add this information from American Indians to the archives of breastfeeding history.

Intercultural Couples: Coping With Culture-Related Stressors

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify potential culture-related stressors in intercultural marriages and uncover some of the conscious and unconscious strategies applied by couples to cope with these stressors. In-depth ethnographic interviews were conducted with five intercultural couples. Interview data were then analyzed using a phenomenological reduction process to synthesize the meanings and essences of participant experiences. Results revealed that the intercultural couples studied used similar coping strategies to manage marital stressors that might be attributed to or accentuated by cultural differences. Six primary coping strategies were identified: (a) gender-role flexibility; (b) humor; (c) cultural deference by one partner; (d) recognition of similarities; (e) cultural reframing or the development of blended values and expectations that redefined the intercultural relationship; and (f) a general appreciation for other cultures. These intercultural coping strategies were supported by prior empirical research in the fields of intercultural communication and marital counseling. Further research is needed to understand better the unique stressors and coping mechanisms experienced by intercultural couples. Practical considerations for therapists who counsel intercultural couples are discussed.

Postcards From the Road

Postcards From the Road

Engaging Tourism Students Through Multimedia Teaching and Active Learning

ABSTRACT Teachers of tourism play an important role in assisting students to develop geographical knowledge and a sound understanding of tourism terminology and statistics, coupled with an ability to put these attributes into use in appropriate, creative, and competent ways. This article describes a multimedia-based teaching technique used in a New Zealand university tourism course and presents research findings regarding its impacts. In particular, the technique motivated students to attend and participate in class and contributed to a reported increase in tourism-related knowledge as well as an understanding of and appreciation for other cultures.

Enthusiasm, the Creative Industry and the 'Creative Tropical City: Mapping Darwin’s Creative Industries' Project

Enthusiasm, the Creative Industry and the 'Creative Tropical City: Mapping Darwin’s Creative Industries' Project

The art of storytelling for cross cultural understanding

Understanding and appreciating other cultures has long been a goal of many early childhood education programs. Yet, helping children develop an understanding and appreciation of other cultures is not easily achieved. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of fairytales and storytelling with young children to promote cultural understanding and peace education. We were interested specifically in understanding how children in a rural school in America would understand a Kuwaiti fairytale. After hearing two versions of the Cinderella tale, a familiar version and a Kuwaiti version, the children wrote their own story. The children’s stories reflected elements from both fairytales, yet showed each child’s unique interpretation of major themes, thus creating a dialogical narrative. Such experiences, we believe, can promote children’s understandings and appreciation of other cultures.

Barbie Australis: The Commercial Reinvention of National Culture

While the marketing of commodities is certainly being globalised, the goods themselves are slanted towards specific aspects of particular cultures, mainly domi nated by commercially drivenNorth American mainstream culture. The irony is that, in this skewed homogenisationprocess, the idea is conveyed that a variety of cultures is represented as is the case, purportedly with lDolls of the World Collection Barbies. But, as Australian Barbie demonstrates, on closer examination, only the ambiance of other cultures is there. The design of such commodities is driven by commercial interests and stereotypes, with a view to what is attractive, marketable and fits prevailing perceptions, misguided or otherwise. In the case of Australian Barbie, the doll must first be true to the image that is Barbie. It need not be true to what is Australian, which is after all much more problematic and contested. Thus, instead of offering girls a range of positive identities, Barbie simply collapses all identities into her own, robbing children of the breadth of cultural links and understanding of their own cultures and appreciation of other cultures which, ar guably, should be open to them.

Experiential Learning: An Approach to Transcultural Education for Nursing

Delivery of culturally appropriate health care in our pluralistic society demands that practitioners develop special attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Experimental learning is a powerful methodology for addressing the affective, as well as the cognitive, domain of learning. The exploration of personal values is an essential first step in developing cultural awareness in order to move learners beyond ethnocentrism through awareness, understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of other cultures if learners are to truly adopt a multicultural approach to their professional practice. The nursing curriculum at McMaster University School of Nursing is based on the principles of adult education and self-directed learning. A series of guided experiences have been undertaken with a variety of health sciences learners, both students and faculty members, to foster an increased appreciation of (their) own values preliminary to embarking on knowledge and skill acquisition for transcultural health care.