Hi!
I've enjoyed reading the entries posted so far from week 5. Keep them coming!
This week's question is a continuation of the topic presented in week 5 with one slight modification: this week, instead of discussing your hometown, you will discuss your country.
To be exact, tell us about what makes your country different from every other country in the world. Is it the way the people are, the scenery, the food, the music, the history, etc.
If I were asked this question, I would say that what makes the United States different from every other country is the diversity of world cultures found here (when I say "here," I mean the country as a whole, not just Missoula!). I truly believe the U.S. is the only country in the world in which all the world's countries are represented in some way. If you go to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or San Francisco, choose a country, and you will find a neighborhood or area where people from that place have restaurants, markets, and shops. You want to practice your Swahili (East African language)? No problem. There are Swahili speakers all over the country. Even in my hometown (Lincoln, NE), when I need Thai ingredients, I go to the Thai market; when I need Korean ingredients, I go to the Korean market, and so on. Though some Americans may not welcome such cultural diversity, I encourage it and embrace it.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Week 5 Question
For this week's question, I'd like to introduce a topic that we have not really explored much so far this semester: your country/culture/home. More specifically, this week you're going to write about your hometown.
What I'd like you to discuss is what you think makes your hometown unique. To be exact, describe one thing that you think everyone should know about your hometown.
To give you an example, I'll tell you something about my hometown. I'm originally from Lincoln, Nebraska (not Missoula, as some of you may already know!). The one thing I always miss about Lincoln when I'm away is the sunsets. It doesn't matter if it's spring, summer, fall, or winter: the sunsets around Lincoln are simply spectacular. Because Lincoln is located smack dab in the middle of the "great plains," an area that is as flat as a table (there are no mountains, no hills), the sky never seems to end. The result of this is that the sun paints the sky with an artist's brush of colors every evening. Imagine looking west into an endless sky of purple, blue, orange, red, and pink. These colors fill every void on the horizon and then spread upwards until they touch the farthest corners of the sky. Watching the colors of a Nebraska sunset slowly fade into the purple darkness of the coming night is one thing that everyone should experience.
What I'd like you to discuss is what you think makes your hometown unique. To be exact, describe one thing that you think everyone should know about your hometown.
To give you an example, I'll tell you something about my hometown. I'm originally from Lincoln, Nebraska (not Missoula, as some of you may already know!). The one thing I always miss about Lincoln when I'm away is the sunsets. It doesn't matter if it's spring, summer, fall, or winter: the sunsets around Lincoln are simply spectacular. Because Lincoln is located smack dab in the middle of the "great plains," an area that is as flat as a table (there are no mountains, no hills), the sky never seems to end. The result of this is that the sun paints the sky with an artist's brush of colors every evening. Imagine looking west into an endless sky of purple, blue, orange, red, and pink. These colors fill every void on the horizon and then spread upwards until they touch the farthest corners of the sky. Watching the colors of a Nebraska sunset slowly fade into the purple darkness of the coming night is one thing that everyone should experience.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Week 4 Question
Hi!
Thanks to all who have posted responses to last week's questions.
Since we've been talking about your experiences here in the U.S., I thought I'd continue the theme for one more week.
Whenever I go to another country, there are always things that I can't come to understand. In other words, there are cultural practices, traditions, and/or generally held beliefs that, even after months and months in a new country, I just never get used to.
What cultural practices, traditions, or general beliefs (held by Americans) here in the U.S. do you still have difficulty understanding? Why do you think it is so hard for you to come to understand this aspect of American culture?
When you answer this week's question, please be honest. The more honest you are, the more interesting our discussion will be!
I hope you have/had a good break!
Thanks to all who have posted responses to last week's questions.
Since we've been talking about your experiences here in the U.S., I thought I'd continue the theme for one more week.
Whenever I go to another country, there are always things that I can't come to understand. In other words, there are cultural practices, traditions, and/or generally held beliefs that, even after months and months in a new country, I just never get used to.
What cultural practices, traditions, or general beliefs (held by Americans) here in the U.S. do you still have difficulty understanding? Why do you think it is so hard for you to come to understand this aspect of American culture?
When you answer this week's question, please be honest. The more honest you are, the more interesting our discussion will be!
I hope you have/had a good break!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Week 3 Question
Hi!
I think snowboarding, snow-watching, exercising, and reading a good book are all great things to do during these cold winter days. But fear not: spring is peeking through the clouds and will soon be upon us!
For this week's question, I'd like to go back to the topic of being an international student here in the U.S. All of you have now been here in Missoula for at least a few weeks. Some of you have been here for months or even years!
Imagine that one of your friends (from your home country) wants to come to Missoula. Given your position of being someone who is familiar with the city, the culture, etc., you want to give your friend/relative important information to help them quickly adjust to life in Missoula.
What advice would you give your friend/family member? Be specific in your answer and explain why you think this advice would be useful.
I think snowboarding, snow-watching, exercising, and reading a good book are all great things to do during these cold winter days. But fear not: spring is peeking through the clouds and will soon be upon us!
For this week's question, I'd like to go back to the topic of being an international student here in the U.S. All of you have now been here in Missoula for at least a few weeks. Some of you have been here for months or even years!
Imagine that one of your friends (from your home country) wants to come to Missoula. Given your position of being someone who is familiar with the city, the culture, etc., you want to give your friend/relative important information to help them quickly adjust to life in Missoula.
What advice would you give your friend/family member? Be specific in your answer and explain why you think this advice would be useful.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
