Stretch yourself to experience a different cultural or subcultural reality
To do at least one hour of “fieldwork”, immersing yourself in a cross-cultural or sub-cultural experience – a place, event, activity that makes you uncomfortable. Do “fieldwork” and write up a “thick description” of your experience. Tip: Find a friend, family member, classmate who is very different from you and ask them to take you to a place, event or activity outside your comfort zone.
Instructions:
Stretch yourself to experience a different cultural or subcultural reality. For example, if you are an atheist, go to church. If you are Christian, go to a Buddhist retreat. In short, do something you would probably never otherwise do and open yourself up to the experience.
Make sure that it is “cultural” in that it involves engaging and interacting with people.
After the event, write up a “thick description” of your experience. A thick description is an exquisitely detailed description of the setting, participants, activities, interactions, and social dramas playing out that allow the reader to feel as if they are really there.
Include a picture(s) of your experience, you “in” the experience or one(s) that symbolize your experience.
Why? Think of all of the nonverbal elements in play here. It’s a lot easier to consider nonverbals when experiencing something different from the norm. This helps you practice your awareness muscles even when you’re operating in the “norm”.
Answer preview Stretch yourself to experience a different cultural or subcultural reality
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