Chapter #3 Communication

Culture and Communication are crucial parts of anyone person's "make-up". We each come from different places, families, backgrounds. These each have an effect on who we are, the way we react, and the way we interpret reality around us. Language can be a huge factor in communication, not does it inhibit communicating certain things to those of different backgrounds or origins, but these very languages allows one to look at things differently. Language can even affect the way we view nature. Nature to me is flying down a ski hill, cutting across perfect glass on my slalom ski, or ripping down a canyon on my long board. However, to other culture, nature can be seen as something that is a alive and should be respected and or valued. Nature can even be seen as a daily obstacle, what to eat and drink is something that nature doesn't put forth very easily in some parts of the world.

Service Learning - I have been communicating via email with the lady in charge in SLC as to what she think would be beneficial for the refugees.

Chapter #2 and Cultural Interview

The book gives three approaches to Intercultural Communication - Social Science, Interpretive, and Critical. Each approach has their pros and cons. Each are essential in having a clear view of a particular culture. Also immersing oneself in a culture is the best way to gain a better appreciation and understanding of another view point or way of life. Standing as an outsider is only going to create greater mysticism and lack of understanding.

I spoke with my friend who is a Latvian. Helvijs Vigners is a native Latvian who is attending school here in Utah. I spoke with Helvijs about what his first impressions were when coming to the U.S. He had previously served a mission for the LDS church in Lithuania along side fellow missionaries that happened to be American, he mentioned that this helped prepare him for most of the quirks Americans have. However, he felt that in the U.S. friendship is viewed and valued differently. In Latvia friends are strong and last forever. However, in the U.S. people pretend they are your friend, while in reality they are just posing or being nice. This really made me think about my relationships and the type of friend I was to those around me.