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American Pluralism & the Cultural Partners ProgramNAFSA: Association of International EducatorsSeattle, WA, 1 June 2005 : American Pluralism andamp; the Cultural Partners Program NAFSA: Association of International Educators Seattle, WA, 1 June 2005 Mark A. Ashwill State University of New York at Buffalo U.S.-Indochina Educational Foundation, Inc.


Questions... : Questions... How many U.S. students study a foreign language? How many U.S. students are able to study abroad for any length of time? Are there other effective and meaningful ways through which to develop intercultural competence? What about the majority who neither studies a foreign language nor studies abroad?


The Three Phases... : The Three Phases... Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind (G. Hofstede) 'Only those who move feel their chains.' Awareness is where it all starts... Knowledge should follow... Skills are based on awareness and knowledge, plus practice...


Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity : Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity


American Pluralism - UGC 211 : American Pluralism - UGC 211 Examines the multicultural and multiethnic nature of American society by exploring five important and often intersecting areas of American experience and culture: race, gender, ethnicity, social class andamp; religious sectarianism 'Understanding of America’s evolving relationship with the rest of the world'


To Be or Not to Be... : To Be or Not to Be...


Ethnocentric Reasons : Ethnocentric Reasons 'Best of the best.' 'Proud to be in the greatest country in the world.' 'We live in a great country.' 'America’s superpower status.' 'Endless opportunity.'


Cultural Partners Program (CPP) : Cultural Partners Program (CPP) Paired with international students Meet once a week Complete course-related assignments Post on a Blackboard Discussion Board Extra Credit 33% participation rate


CPP Assignments : CPP Assignments The 'Dream' in Partner's Country 13 Cultural Categories (Culture Matters) Male/Female Roles Social Class Perceptions of Americans, U.S. Government andamp; American Influence Race andamp; Minorities Religion


Results... : Results... For some, CPP was a course highlight Integrated information into class discussion, papers andamp; presentations Highly positive evaluation Chile, China, Japan, Jordan, India, Mexico, Oman, S. Korea, Palestinian Authority, Thailand, Vietnam


Comments... : Comments... I decided to participate in the cultural partners program because I know that I am very ignorant about many other cultures. This was the perfect opportunity to meet someone, have discussions, and even gain two new friends! Most definitely. My partner was awesome. The time spent with her learning about China and her own personal history really made me think about how we view others and ourselves. We exchanged so much information, and I really feel we both were able to learn so much about not only one another, but our respective countries as well.


Comments - continued : Comments - continued It was interesting to actually sit down and have a conversation with someone from a completely different background than myself. I enjoyed forming a friendship that will probably last a long time, and I feel that was most worthwhile. I hope so. My CP was pretty cool.


Future Directions... : Future Directions... Mandatory Add more structure (incorporate into class) CPP Student Club Use of Intercultural Development Inventory (to measure intercultural sensitivity)


The Scourge of Ethnocentrism : The Scourge of Ethnocentrism National pride built on foundation of cultural superiority and arrogance U.S. culture as 'one of a number of equally complex world views' Education andamp; training as an antidote to exclusionary view of the world


Intercultural Sensitivity : Intercultural Sensitivity …is not natural. It is not part of our primate past, nor has it characterized most of human history. Cross-cultural contact usually has been accompanied by bloodshed, oppression, or genocide. The continuation of this pattern in today’s world of unimagined interdependence is not just immoral or unprofitable - it is self-destructive. Education and training in intercultural communication is an approach to changing our ‘natural’ behavior. (Milton J. Bennett)


Contact Information : Contact Information E-mail: ashwill@buffalo.edu; usief@yahoo.com Personal Homepage: wings.buffalo.edu/world-languages/maa.htm USIEF: www.usief.org (link to presentation documents, recommended Web sites, etc.)