Maya Wiley '86, a Legal Analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, a Professor of Public & Urban Policy, former Chair of the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board, and one-time Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, joined the Rockefeller Center as part of its MLK, Jr. Day commemoration.
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During our Boston trip, I became very aware of my own discomfort. It dawned on me that I had never been on the subway, nor had I been to such thought-provoking and vulnerable performances, and nor had I had the chance to really explore a city. I grew up in a small town, where you ran into someone you knew during almost every outing, public transportation was limited, and cultural diversity was low. Compared to my peers in high school, I always felt I had a better understanding of different cultures and the accompanying values and customs given my upbringing and open-mindedness.
[more]Culture shock is normally painted in a bad light, and that's understandable enough. Having moved nine thousand miles away from home to attend classes here at Dartmouth, I've definitely had my fair share of unpleasant experiences – for the first couple of weeks or so after I arrived on campus, I went to bed every night completely exhausted. It was hard getting used to college, life in America, all the new cultural circles I found myself in.
[more]The most challenging aspect of globalism to collaboration is communication across different cultures. In RGLP, I learned that what is assumed to be proper and polite in one culture can be very different than how another culture assumes to be proper and polite. In an increasing integrated world, more than ever, this challenge is being presented around the world.
[more]Being adaptable is the essence of intercultural communication. To be adaptable, there are a variety of things to remember. For example, when meeting new people from a different culture, it is important to take into account some of the tools RGLP taught us. Communication, planning, knowledge and curiosity are the main tools RGLP has taught me this term. When communicating with anyone, a person must be adaptable in order to listen to the other person and react accordingly.
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