Propose a plan for an intercultural experience
Propose a plan for an intercultural experience
Propose a plan for an intercultural experience. A “pre-experience outline” is provided
below to assist in the planning.
The proposal describing your cultural experience should address the following questions:
1) Intended contact culture group:
a) What is the identified culture group with which you are planning to have contact? Be
specific.
b) Provide a brief description of any contact you have previously had with this group
c) Briefly explain why this target group qualifies as a cultural group.
2) Intended new cultural activity:
a) Briefly describe your new cultural activity.
b) Does your intended activity meet all requirements of the assignment (see expectations
below)? Provide some details to justify your answer.
c) Will this activity allow you to have meaningful contact with members of the intended
target culture group? Briefly explain.
d) What is the planned date, time, and approximate duration of the activity?
3) General:
a) Have you selected a secondary contact group and cultural activity as a backup? Please
describe briefly.
b) Do you have any questions about the project? Please describe.
Here are the requirements—or parameters—of the exercise:
1) Provides information concerning the date(s) and place where this experience will take
place.
2) The selected experience should be novel. The intent of this case is to provide a kind of
“lab” where you can apply your learning in a new setting.
3) The experience must be with a group or culture that is largely unfamiliar to you.
4) You should not be in a position of authority or dominance vis-à-vis the target group.
For example, you should not be a customer in a restaurant, or interacting with individuals who
have lower rank than you in an organizational setting. Power can influence behavior, and
we want to keep power relationships in check to provide the most meaningful type of
interaction.
5) The experience should allow for meaningful one-on-one contact with members of the
target group. Thus it is recommended that you do not choose an impersonal spectator
event such as a large festival, parade, or sporting event.
6) The experience must be a minimum of 2 hours in length to provide you with enough
material for analysis.
7) The experience must not be illegal or place you at unreasonable physical or
psychological risk.
8) You need to be able to provide evidence of the experience (such as photographs or a
video).
9) Have a second choice experience in mind in case your first choice does not meet the
above parameters and is not approved.
