I didn’t expect our first class to tackle such large but essential questions about cultural competence and literacy. I have always known that my views would be limited by my privilege and my lack of context for any other culture but my own. I have never left my country, or barely even my own state! What could I possible know about any other culture? I thought at least my language study would put me slightly ahead of someone in my situation without any foreign language study, but in reviewing the “can-do” statements, I feel I have skipped important steps!

I can greet and have a conversation (however stunted or overly formal I would sound) with a native French speaker. I can recite “Happy Birthday” and I could act appropriately in a restaurant. But I probably could not identify the restaurant, or any songs, or dress appropriately for certain activities.

This first class has made me more aware of how much more there is to a culture than simply its language. It is not enough to be able to communicate with someone (though it helps greatly) if you can’t show a willingness to learn from mistakes you will inevitably make.