Breanna CP #4

Date/Time: 5/27/16, 9:00am

Location: CIES basement lounge – Mr. Kamanski’s level 3 speaking class

Topic discussed: Cultural stereotypes and generalities

Cultural Topics you and your partner learned: This was such a cool experience. I was in a group with another TEFL student, two men from Kuwait, a woman from Iran, and a woman from Saudi Arabia. They had a lot of questions for us about American stereotypes. For instance, one man asked, “Why do American’s think international students are rude?” Another asked about fast food culture. One man asked, “Why do American’s think Arab men enslave our women?” “Why are American women afraid of Arab men?” These were challenging questions, and they caused myself and the other TEFL student to push our own understandings and question ourselves. I was able to reflect on the biases I have held in the past and the growth I have made since I have come to college. I learned more about Arab culture during this activity. For instance, the Saudi woman told me that she did not mind that she was unable to drive. They further explained why they do not allow women to drive and they told me more about why they did not eat pork. I wish I could have participated in more activities like this.