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Honorio Gonzalez EDU 533 Intercultural Competence Reflective Analysis The place where I hope to visit and teach

in the future is Japan. It is a culture and country that I have come to enjoy learning much about. There are many things there are different between American and Japanese culture that I have found. Additionally, to know a culture well you would have to know the cultural components of the culture, which are beliefs, values, norms, and social practices. Knowing this would help a person understand that culture better. Thus, it is truer since Japan is a high-context culture, while America is a low-context culture. Lustig and Koester state (2013), A Japanese tea ceremony is an example of a high-context message. Nearly every movement, gesture, and action has significance to those who understand the code being used (p. 102). In contrast, in American culture we have no such thing since we are low-context, and thus are communicate more when we participate in an event or ceremony similar in nature or importance to that of a Japanese tea ceremony. Additionally, in the future something that will take me time to get used to but I will remember to always pay attention to in how I talk with fellow Japanese teachers. I will also practice in remembering the little details in the tone and delivery of their conversation with me in turn. Furthermore, the differences in vocabulary are also noted in how they use honorifics. In the English language, honorifics are used when addressing someone formally or informally, but are usually not obligatory.

However, Japanese honorifics are obligatory in both formal and informal settings since they denote ranking in the Japanese social order. I would use this in future settings while in Japan by using it to refer to my fellow Japanese teachers and students. This would help denote that I know and show to both the teachers and students and that I understand as to why I have to use them that way. In America, I would also use honorifics with my fellow teachers and students. It would less mandatory even in formal situations in the sense that it would greatly offend someone if I accidently didnt use an honorific than if didnt use one in a formal Japanese conversation. Another example of differences would be in how I wouldnt be able to easily find some of my favorite types of foods and snacks in a Japanese supermarket. I might find a food that is similar or even nothing at all, but if I did find a favorite food or snack, it would after searching thoroughly through different Japanese supermarkets. Furthermore, when trying new foods at Japanese restaurant, I would try even if I looked and or smelled funny because it would show disrespect to the restaurant if I didnt try the food at least once. Plus, I would also try food that I hadnt tasted before for the experience because I like trying new things and it is just the type of person that I am. Furthermore, I would also experience culture shock when first arriving in japan. According to Kohls (2001), Culture shock is virtually inevitable in some degree, and there are no magic charms to escape it altogether (p. 101). It would take me time for me to get used to all the new experiences I would be going through. But I would be able to ask fellow offices workers and friends in japan for help or advice on anything that I would need help doing or understanding. Having that type of assistance would thus help me to adapt faster to the Japanese lifestyle that I would eventually become a part of.

Additionally, how I said I would do things and how I actually did them while in Japan would also matter greatly. It would set the mentality through which I would live by while in Japan. Thus, it would become of great importance to follow through with what I would said I would do and how I said I would it because it would show my character to my fellow Japanese teachers and students. It would show that I am a man of my word, which is of great importance in both Japanese and American culture, and that I could also be trusted to completed tasks handed to me. Romans 5:4 states, Perseverance, character; and character, hope (NIV). Thus, being a man of perseverance is being a man of character which are important because it shows people would be able to put hope not only on me but also my character and perseverance. There is a term known, as the Cultural Iceberg that a man named Gary Weaver came up with that would fit the above situation perfectly. It is a term that represents that an essential facet of culture. Pollock and Recken state (2009), Anthropologist Gary weaver suggested looking at culture as a kind of iceberg: one portion is clearly visible above the surface of the water, while the much larger chuck of ice is hidden below. The part above the water can be can be considered surface culture-what we can physically see or hear, including behavior, words, customs, language, and traditions. Underneath the water, invisible to all, is the deep culture. This place includes our beliefs, values, assumptions, worldview, and thought processes (p. 42). On other words, there is the part that everyone can see about how say we will do things, and another part that people cant see on how we actually do those things. Proverbs 12:19 states, Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment (NIV). Thus, following though

with what I say and how I say I would do it is very important because it shows whether you are a truthful or deceitful person. Furthermore, reverse culture shock is the name and term that what given to the experience that people experience when returning home. It is what I also would experience when first returning home. Thus, reverse culture shock is when everything begins to seem boring or different because I have been away for so long and things are just not the same as before I left. According to Storti (2003), Reverse culture shock normally sets in when you have finished your rounds of visits with family and close friends and the time has come to settle down and start your new life back home (p. 51). However, I wouldnt worry about this because everything would go back to how it was before I left. It would go back to that after a while. Finally, returning home will not always be easy to anyone, including me. It will take a while and I would be sure to remember everything that I have experienced while in Japan. Whatever I have experienced will be a memorable for me. I would keep this in mind when preparing to go home. It would always be something to talk about with my family and friends and something good to remember and enjoy. Matthew 6:3 states, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (NIV). I would keep this in mind when going to Japan because following Gods will would help direct my life and know Gods purpose for me while in Japan.

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