Cultural Paradigms

May 18, 2021; Week 5;

I have lived in 21 different houses; 7 different states (in the United States); 2 different countries on two

different continents; have visited all 50 states in the U.S., and over 30 different countries on 5 of the 7

continents. In all of these places I have found many, many good people of the world. I have learned that

"culture" is a system of behavior that helps us act in an accepted and familiar way. Some of those ways of

behavior are different from my own--but learning about them has opened up new ways of eating, new

forms of speech, and perhaps even a new way of seeing the world for me.

The barbecue from the South, and the inclusive speech of "you all" became habits hard to break. Also

the hot dishes from Minnesota, along with the custom of just being "nice" are habits I hope to always

keep. However, the cultural differences that I experienced while living in Africa taught me that homes are

essentially the same wherever we live. The house may look different, but the people inside are all families

trying to love their children and provide safe and protective places for them to live and grow.

As I continue to study TESOL (teaching English as a second language) and work to become a teacher,

I hope my future classrooms can reflect these things that I have learned and experienced. I hope it can be

a protective place of safety and growth.