In our first class, we discussed the importance of taking a course like Becoming Foreign in our contemporary world. With global travel becoming increasingly accessible and popular, and the onset of communication technologies like social media, we are living in a world that is more connected than ever. Consequently, we encounter difference in language and culture much more frequently than those of generations past. It is thus more important now than ever to acquire the skills and knowledge to adapt our own cultural toolkits such that we can navigate our globalized world in a meaningful and respectful way.

Our first meeting began laying the foundation from which such navigation becomes possible. We began by defining some key terms and concepts, such as culture. I found this conversation especially fascinating. Upon hearing the term, my mind was immediately drawn to the aesthetics of a culture, such as a culture’s dress, art, and architecture; however, upon further investigation, I realized how all-encompassing “culture” is. It includes not only aesthetics, but also values, beliefs, and behaviors, and is heavily influenced by regional geography and history.

We also covered Intercultural Can-Do statements as a basis for understanding one’s own cultural competence. My international experiences are limited to my study abroad experience. Because of my minimal experience abroad, I was nervous to measure my own cultural competence in this way; however, I was actually able to answer many questions about the country I studied in, Denmark! This made me optimistic about achieving the analytical, attitudinal, and knowledge learning objectives of the course.