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Blogs #2
#1 I have been more aware of how I interact with various groups that I am a part of. Around my family it would be fair to say I am much more laid back and open than when I am in a professional or school setting. This to me has always been the way I have interacted with others but is in extreme contrast to many of those around me at my work. This idea that there are two separate versions of me that adapt to the situation I am in. Again, this being a professional demeanor and actions when expected that I feel are necessary to maintain the relationships I need in that environment. This would largely follow cultural expectations, but I know I am a lot more reserved even in personal settings than many of those around me in social environments. This is likely due to how I was raised and the cultural expectations that were common for my family.
#2 As the year has gone on, I have also spent more time thinking about the values and belief systems that I have been exposed to. From a young age these values were taught directly to me by my parents and wider family and remain fairly strong since they were so prevalent in my daily life. From religious teachings to ‘wise advice’ this information has been presented to me regularly. These values persist and on a wider scale I can see them in those from a similar background to mine and from my home province where communities are quite close knit and are built around these values and beliefs.
#3 Throughout this entire year I have been more exposed to a few cultures in particular. The histories and traditions of the Palestinian and Israeli people have been part of several courses I have had. Exposure to different cultures is something that is very important and valuable as it allows us to explore different ideologies and viewpoints. The problem for me is that I do not have the means to experience them in person which results in a lot of my learning coming from school or media for better or worse. Seeing these various cultures as well as just seeing short form videos of different traditions is a fantastic way to learn and spark interest in a particular subject when you see it. I have searched up several local festivals in Europe after seeing some videos about them that got me interested in their history which was fascinating and completely unlike anything I have seen or heard of here in Atlantic Canada.
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Blog series #1
#1 Jan. 20th
With the world becoming a very globalized place the boundaries between cultures are less strict. The widespread influence of the American culture can be seen in many countries around the western world. I have not been exposed to many diverse cultures in person, but I have read many books and watched shows about various places around the world and their ways and customs. The farthest I have ever made it from 'Home' is halfway through the next province, where other than the fact that proper highways exist and there is more French being spoken there is little to no difference that I had ever noticed. Many others and I from this region all have similar pasts in terms of family history. Arriving as immigrants from western Europe, namely Ireland, Scotland, and France, then settling across the region and spending most of the time working the land or the sea without much interruption. The many traditions and beliefs held then are still strong today and I suspect that the culture really has not changed much only to accommodate modern technologies and practices.
#2 Jan. 22nd
I have been thinking about how my family celebrates holidays recently, and on both sides of the family the traditions are essentially the same. All getting together for a meal, if it is Christmas a gift exchange, everyone sitting together in the living space with extended family talking about anything and everything. When I talk to other people about their holiday experiences it all seems like a similar story to that one, the way Atlantic Canadians celebrate the holiday season seems fairly universal for those of similar backgrounds. Celebrating these traditions and doing things the way we do is important, it is about spending time with family, reliving old memories and honouring those that are no longer with us, as well as creating new memories with those that are still here. Less a time about friends, more for family. The traditions have been passed down through past generations, combined with similar cultures from western Europe by our ancestors. Sharing a meal during a holiday is a guarantee and it has been for some time. The tie in of all these traditions is certainly religion, traditional holidays celebrated in a traditional way.
#3 Jan. 28th
There are many ways that we learn about our own culture, the most common being lived experience within it and participating in it. My experiences with my family are what shaped my own culture and personality the most. Regular family dinners and the importance of sharing them together was engrained early on and while that is relaxed slightly now due to changing circumstances it is still present. Both the immediate and extended family are regular churchgoers and the teachings there have influenced how we all act, our beliefs and how we perceive those around us. The educational system back home growing up was small schools and classes. The schools themselves were very involved in the communities and that connection persisted through high school, leaving a very community-oriented educational system. The most important influence though is entirely the time spent with my parents and their experiences that have been passed on to me. Their morals and way of life I have and likely will continue to stick to for my entire life as it is what I have always known and agree with. I do not think this is a bad thing at all as I have many important life lessons from them, and the time spent with our parents is quite impressionable and will affect most people in a comparable way.
#4 Feb. 2nd
I would certainly say I am not too globalized but aware of the world. I have not made it far from home, an entire five-hour drive. On the other hand, I have more awareness of what is happening in the world than most people I come across on a daily basis. I do pay attention to the news, while not the most uplifting source of daily reading I find it quite interesting to try and understand the situations from someone else’s perspective. Social media does open me up to seeing other traditions and practices, but it is not something I personally see very often. Through university and sports I have been in contact with plenty of people with different backgrounds and experiences that have been more impactful than any social media post. Personal stories and shared experiences are the most impactful and impressionable ways culture can be shared. While seeing something on TV can be interesting the biggest impact is living a new experience.
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