The Worldwide Classroom website defines culture shock as the “the anxiety that results from losing all familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse.” Common symptoms include bewilderment, loneliness, disproportionate irritation and frustration, insecurity, homesickness, and a desire to spend time with people from home. I’m definitely in the irritability stage of culture shock. I’m not […]
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Eassy
Dictionary.com defines ethnocentrism as the belief in the intrinsic superiority of the nation, culture, or group to which one belongs, often accompanied by feelings of dislike for other groups, and cultural relativism as the view that ethical and moral standards are relative to what a particular society or culture believes to be good/bad, right/wrong. Personally, […]
Syncretism Essay
According to the dictionary, syncretism is the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought. Catholicism is heavily syncretic. Christmas, Easter, All Saints’ Day, and Corpus Cristi are all examples of major holidays that were heavily influenced by non-Catholic religions. Much of syncretism stems from attempts to ease people into Catholicism […]
Syncretism
I define syncretism as the combination of cultures, rituals, and/or traditions. When I think of syncretism in Ecuador, religion is usually the only thing that comes to mind. The combinations of Catholicism and indigenous tradition come together to create something unique and specific to la gente aquí. It’s interesting to think about this phenomenon, specifically […]
Culture Shock
I personally define culture shock as the experience of a new culture different than you own, with what might be surprising customs, traditions, behaviors, etc. Culture shock can be hard for some people or exciting for others. Being in Ecuador, I haven’t actually experienced that much of culture shock. I have traveled in the past […]