Exercise A
Make a list of the five people you spend the most time with in your host country.
Now make a list of the five people you consider your closest confidants.
For the following activities, categorize them based on whether you prefer a fellow American, someone from your host country, or someone from another country: going shopping, going to eat at a restaurant, sightseeing, eating a home-cooked meal, practicing the language, celebrating a local festival, just talking, personal support, and just being.
Question: Do you see any patterns about who you spend time with, who your closest friends are, and who you prefer to do activities with? Of students who took this survey in my IS, just under half listed no host nationals on their "Closest friends" list. Of the activities listed, the first three represent consumption, the second three represent cultural engagement, and the third three represent personal closeness. Many students prefer Americans for the first three, host nationals for the second three, and Americans for the final three. What does this say about American preferences for companionship while abroad? Why are Americans preferred over host nationals for most activities?
Now make a list of the five people you consider your closest confidants.
For the following activities, categorize them based on whether you prefer a fellow American, someone from your host country, or someone from another country: going shopping, going to eat at a restaurant, sightseeing, eating a home-cooked meal, practicing the language, celebrating a local festival, just talking, personal support, and just being.
Question: Do you see any patterns about who you spend time with, who your closest friends are, and who you prefer to do activities with? Of students who took this survey in my IS, just under half listed no host nationals on their "Closest friends" list. Of the activities listed, the first three represent consumption, the second three represent cultural engagement, and the third three represent personal closeness. Many students prefer Americans for the first three, host nationals for the second three, and Americans for the final three. What does this say about American preferences for companionship while abroad? Why are Americans preferred over host nationals for most activities?
Exercise B
Look at the blog entries posted. Find one blog that speaks to you and answer some of the rhetorical questions listed.
How does this blog offer information on a new topic?
What is another line of research the author could take?
Where are the holes in the argument?
How does the message of the blog post relate to you and your time abroad?
How does this blog offer information on a new topic?
What is another line of research the author could take?
Where are the holes in the argument?
How does the message of the blog post relate to you and your time abroad?
Exercise C
On the page about privilege, the author has listed several examples of privilege in study abroad.
Think of some examples from your personal experience. Are they unique to you or can they be generalized to all students?
Do you agree with all of the examples listed? How would you change them to be more reflective of your experience?
Read one of the articles listed in the further readings page.
How does the author's unique context influence their argument?
What are two take-away points from the author that may influence the way you approach your time abroad?
Think of some examples from your personal experience. Are they unique to you or can they be generalized to all students?
Do you agree with all of the examples listed? How would you change them to be more reflective of your experience?
Read one of the articles listed in the further readings page.
How does the author's unique context influence their argument?
What are two take-away points from the author that may influence the way you approach your time abroad?
Exercise D
On the page about consumerism and tourism, the author has made an argument against consumption in study abroad. Can you make a counter argument? When can consumption be avoided in study abroad and when is it important?
What about the tourist gaze? Give some personal examples of the tourist gaze affecting your experience abroad and the experience of locals you come into contact with.
Read one of the articles listed in the further readings page.
How does the author's unique context influence their argument?
What are two take-away points from the author that may influence the way you approach your time abroad?
What about the tourist gaze? Give some personal examples of the tourist gaze affecting your experience abroad and the experience of locals you come into contact with.
Read one of the articles listed in the further readings page.
How does the author's unique context influence their argument?
What are two take-away points from the author that may influence the way you approach your time abroad?
Exercise E
On the page about empathy and dialogue, several optimistic ways of enhancing intercultural contact are listed.
When could you have used one of these techniques to handle a situation while you were abroad?
Would these tactics always work? If no, why? What else could be used?
Finally, what are three ways that you can incorporate empathy and dialogue into your life abroad and your life at home?
When could you have used one of these techniques to handle a situation while you were abroad?
Would these tactics always work? If no, why? What else could be used?
Finally, what are three ways that you can incorporate empathy and dialogue into your life abroad and your life at home?