Thomas CP #2

This week was our second week of cultural workshops. We were in the same groups, minus our Chinese groupmate. We were taught about how culture has visible and invisible aspects, being compared with how an iceberg has the tip which is visible and the body which is hidden. Using this concept, we are to mingle with our group and learn about the parts of each other’s culture. We ended up talking a bit about gender roles as well as modesty and clothing. Us TEFL students learned that while in dating in Vietnam was relatively the same as in the US, in Saudi Arabia it is quite different (courtesy of Sarah, our Saudi groupmate). According to Sarah, in Saudi Arabia, weddings are still arranged by the parents and although it’s arranged, couples can still divorce at their discretion. Also, only the father-in-law is allowed to see her face during the wedding; the brothers and any other male relative is not. Saudi women are only allowed to reveal themselves at private beaches (usually owned by the rich but can be rented). Meanwhile, in Vietnam, their traditional clothing is still worn and can even be worn to work depending on their job (such as teachers). I enjoy these workshops because I can learn things from people rather than relying on possibly inaccurate web results.