CP #6 - Paige Dabney

Date/Time: 18 February 2016, 1-1:50pm (Cultural Workshop)
Location: CIES Conference Room
1) What did you learn and share with your conversation partner(s)?
Today we had our final presentation. We spoke about "The Stories of Stereotypes" with out viewers.
My Chinese partner spoke about her country's education system and how this leads to excellent math and science skills in many East Asian students.
My Saudi partner spoke about Saudi women's fashion and if the abaya is worn all the time.
I spoke of U.S. value for individuality and uniqueness.

2) How did the CP session inform your awareness of other cultures?
I learned that exceptions are made for when to wear the abaya, such as when the woman is a doctor and is in surgery.
I learned from the Chinese presentation that Chinese numbers are very simple syllables and therefore, much easier psychologically to memorize/learn.

3) How did the CP session inform your awareness of your culture?
I evaluated the transition to adulthood in the U.S. and how much it 1. relies on a car and 2. exposes college students to diversity. In many ways, CIES students can compare it to their experience at CIES. They become exposed to many different cultures and interests while here. It is much the same for U.S. students and they begin to notice, and usually value, their uniqueness.

4) How could you apply what you learned to your teaching practice?
Presentations that mimic grad poster fairs is an excellent tool to helping students with their long-term preparation (having to work on a project over time as they will do as graduate students), as well as allowing them to improve their speech by saying a blurb over and over again to a live audience. It puts a necessary amount of pressure on them.