Eep 304 - Cultural Plunge

Karen Hedrick

11546962

EEP304 – Cultural Plunge

Words –

29/12/2015

Abstract

This paper will reflect upon my experiences prior, during and on completion of the Cultural Plunge assignment. By entering a Fijian Community get together, I have experienced and unintentionally insulted some of the various Fijian cultural traditions. This life changing plunge has left an impact on my awareness and knowledge in relation to diversity and multicultural beliefs, not only in theory but also in practice.

Describe your experience and discuss personal insights.

I am a white, monolingual, middle class woman who is a teacher, undergraduate student, mother, sister, daughter and partner. What could I do to place myself as the minority within a group that differs in culture, socioeconomic status ethnicity and/or language?

To gain insight and experience the values and traditions of a target group while heightening my learning, I will engage in a cultural immersion activity.

A friend of mine is married to a Fijian man and has suggested I attend a get together of their church group. The plunge has been chosen, now to prepare for interaction with a religious group.

In my mind I could see a large white hall with people singing and dancing to music. I was having second thoughts, could I stand up and join in? What would I sing? What if I just sat and watched.

My friend was continually laughing at me, then she said something that would change my whole perspective on the situation. “Stop stereo-typing.” Two words would slap some sense into me. She was right, I was placing a label on a group of people that I have never met.

As my friend parked the car on the road in front of a low set house, I looked around for a church but there wasn’t one in sight. I asked where the church was and why we were here?. She smiled and informed