Cultural Sensitivity
My field placement does a well at representing culture and cultural sensitivity. As a Program Intern, I have had the opportunity to look over past programs the staff has offered to the students over the years. Many of the programs have included topics that are related to different cultural backgrounds and traditions than normally seen. Majority of the staff and students are Caucasian and from the suburbs. With this being said, they would not have the opportunity to experience many of these activities without the help of my field placement. I love hearing the students reactions to the programs that are from different cultures and how they wish they participated in it earlier.
One of the majority issues that I have noticed while being a Program Intern at my field placement is the fact that students who are ethnically different than the majority tend to be left out and not interact with the other students on their own. We are trained that if we see a student sitting by themselves to approach them and talk with them and encourage them to go interact with others. I have, on numerous occasions, had a student tell me that they do not want to due to being different and feeling different when "hanging out" with the other students. I have shared my own personal experience with them in hopes of nudging them to interact with others. I went to an All-girl high school where I was the only Caucasian student, all of the other students were African American. I have explained to them that they are not alone when they feel like that. They do not know what others are feeling and they might just meet someone who is experiencing the same emotions.
The one major thing that I believe that my field placement could improve on in regards to cultural sensitivity is trying to bring together the students as a whole. I understand that students have their set friend groups but, I would like to see students of different ethnic backgrounds come together as a group and interact with one another. I agree with my field placement encouraging this but, I believe there is a more beneficial way to go about it rather than waiting for the student to be alone and addressing them then.
One of the majority issues that I have noticed while being a Program Intern at my field placement is the fact that students who are ethnically different than the majority tend to be left out and not interact with the other students on their own. We are trained that if we see a student sitting by themselves to approach them and talk with them and encourage them to go interact with others. I have, on numerous occasions, had a student tell me that they do not want to due to being different and feeling different when "hanging out" with the other students. I have shared my own personal experience with them in hopes of nudging them to interact with others. I went to an All-girl high school where I was the only Caucasian student, all of the other students were African American. I have explained to them that they are not alone when they feel like that. They do not know what others are feeling and they might just meet someone who is experiencing the same emotions.
The one major thing that I believe that my field placement could improve on in regards to cultural sensitivity is trying to bring together the students as a whole. I understand that students have their set friend groups but, I would like to see students of different ethnic backgrounds come together as a group and interact with one another. I agree with my field placement encouraging this but, I believe there is a more beneficial way to go about it rather than waiting for the student to be alone and addressing them then.
Stefany, I love that you use your own experiences and instances where you had felt left out as an example for the students at your internship experiencing the same emotions due to cultural differences. This allows them to connect with you on a personal level and allows them to know that they are not alone in what they are feeling. I think it is great that you are able to be vulnerable with them as a way of helping them through certain situations. It is also great to hear how most of the students appreciate activities that place them in situations or experience other cultures outside of their norms. It sounds like you are doing a good job of making everyone comfortable while still noticing the differences.
ReplyDeleteStefany,
ReplyDeleteThe ability to relate to students on a personal level and share your stories with them is very powerful and has a huge impact on them and how they look at certain situations. Sometimes, I do not think we realize this but I have come to learn that the things I say and do are watched by my peers and the they may then act on a similar decision or in a similar manner in their own situation so setting an example and being able to share with them how you handle certain situations is crucial and will help them more than anything even if they do not always want to admit it to us. I am looking forward to your last post, keep up the good work!
Thank you for sharing your experiences! I know that for teenagers or younger it can be intimidating to interact with people you don't know especially when you're seen as different. I found that when group activities are going on its best to try to separate kids so that they have the chance to meet new people. It seems awkward at first but it does help sometimes. It especially helps with ice breakers.
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