2. Culture & Values
There’s more to getting the most out of your Global
Studies experience than just buying your books, packing
your bags and getting on the plane. We’ve gone over the
all the important steps of preparing for your time abroad,
but it’s just as important to mentally prepare for your
transition into a new cultural landscape. This section is
intended to get you thinking about the challenges and
benefits of cultural immersion, and the ways that St.
John’s University’s Vincentian values can play a role in it.
3. What is Culture?
Culture:
• A framework of shared meaning that dictates how we view ourselves, our
communities, and the world
• A basis of expectations and assumptions that we bring to every situation
we encounter
• Culture can be shared amongst people of the same ethnicity, nationality,
geographical origin, religion, etc.
What are some of the things that make up a person or group’s culture?
• Values
•Traditions
•Attitudes
•Language spoken
•Dialect/slang
•Gestures
•Food
•Music
•Clothing
4. Defining Your Culture
Even within close-knit groups, there are differences in culture. You may not have the same
culture as your next-door neighbor due to differing ethnic backgrounds; you and your parents
may share many cultural identifiers, but differ due to generational differences. Because
culture is so ingrained in us, we often take it for granted. Spend some time thinking about
how your culture is defined, and how it differs from those around you.
Here are some common identifiers of “American” culture – you may identify with all, some,
or none of them:
• Patriotism
• BBQs/Cookouts
• American football
• Emphasis on individual rights and achievement
• Personal space (a concept that doesn’t exist in many parts of the world!)
• “Relaxed” style of dress
5. Cultural Immersion: Expecting Different
So what do we do when we’re confronted with cultures different
than our own? At first, we often find cultural differences to be the
most interesting part of studying abroad and travel – and for good
reason! However, as we discussed earlier in regards to Culture
Shock, cultural differences can also seem inconvenient, difficult to
understand, and sometimes even offensive. This is why it’s so
important to “expect different” when entering new cultural
environments. Feeling like an “outsider” in a foreign cultural context
can be difficult, but if you keep in mind that “different” doesn’t
mean better or worse, and think about the reason for and
potential advantages to these cultural difference, the experience
will be much more enjoyable and rewarding.
6. Cultural Competency
Cultural Competency is the ability to operate efficiently within another
cultural environment and with people of another culture. Cultural
competency skills are crucial in any type of professional environment that
involves cross-cultural interaction. That means that the skills you learn and
develop while you’re abroad can translate directly to your future career –
and can even help you land a job! That’s why it’s important to think about
these skills and how you’re using them during your abroad experience.
Cultural competency skills include:
- The ability to operate efficiently within another culture (and outside your
comfort zone)
- Awareness of your own worldview (assumptions, biases, values, etc.)
- A better understanding of the worldviews of others
- Ability to communicate effectively across language and culture barriers
- Ability to adapt quickly to new situations
7. Vincentian Values
So what does being Vincentian
have to do with this?
You already know about the
Vincentian spirit of charity and
service, and you’ll likely have
multiple opportunities to serve
during your program. But there are
other ways you can live the
Vincentian mission through your
study abroad experience.
8. The 5 Vincentian Virtues
The 5 Vincentian Virtues were handed down directly from St. Vincent de
Paul as “ways of being” that exemplify the Vincentian spirit. They may
sound old-fashioned at first, but it’s easy to translate them into
contemporary life – and think about them as guidelines as you approach
your study abroad experience and think about how to get the most out of it!
1. Simplicity – Translation: Be honest. Keep in mind your goals for your
study abroad program – you’ll get out of this program what you put into
it, so be honest with yourself in determining what you want that to be.
At the same time, don’t worry about planning out every detail – keeping
things simple allows for flexibility in practice.
2. Humility – Translation: Be realistic. Remember that you’re a visitor in
someone else’s country, and in many cases, someone else’s home.
You can’t always expect things to come as easily as they do back
home. Accept that sometimes, you’ll need someone more experienced
to guide you – don’t be afraid to take their advice! A little humility can
go a long way.
9. The Vincentian Values, cont’d.
3. Meekness – Translation: Be approachable. One of the most
interesting thing about studying abroad and traveling is getting to know
the locals – but you’ll never get that chance if you don’t let your guard
down once in a while! Not everyone is naturally outgoing, but stepping
outside your comfort zone, swallowing your pride and being extra
friendly to the people you meet in the course of your time studying
abroad and travels can be hugely rewarding.
4. Mortification – Translation: Be self-disciplined. This one is pretty
self-explanatory, but it’s also a huge key to making the most of your
time studying abroad. Sure, it’s tempting to take an afternoon siesta
(especially when you’re dealing with jet lag), but every minute you
spend relaxing is a minute not spent having a life-changing experience.
Keep yourself moving, and stay motivated to check off every item on
your “to-do” list!
5. Zeal – Translation: Be hard-working. Finally, remember that you’re
not just there to be a tourist – work hard and stay on top of your
studies; remember, they’re the reason that you’re abroad in the first
place.
10. Further Research
We could go on forever telling you about the importance of
cultural awareness, but the best way to prepare is to do some
research on your own and focus on the things that interest you.
Here are some resources to get you started:
• The Student Guide – made for SJU students by SJU
students, it has tons of info on becoming a pro traveler.
• LonelyPlanet.com – a website devoted to travel, with
general info on all of our locations and many more
• Wikipedia – for all its faults, Wikipedia can be great for
getting quick facts on things like geography, politics, people and
climate.
