INTERCULTURAL RELATIONSHIPS

What kind of problems could arise from cultural differences when dating or marrying someone from different culture?

The most common problems when dating or marrying someone from a different culture are: don't have enough knowledge about each other’s customs, fight because of their families different points of view about a particular situation, the parents would not probably agree with that relationship, try to impose one's own culture over the couple's culture, etc.

Before starting a relationship with a person who belongs to a different culture, the best thing is trying to learn enough about the other culture to know and be prepared about what kind of things we would be able to do for the other person, and what things we would definitely not. This will avoid many misunderstandings.

PALENQUEROS AND ALVIN AILEY DANCE COMPANY

COMPARISON
Their music and dancing move them to still climb for their freedom and fight against exclusion. In their own particular way, both groups try to show or express their African folklore, rhythms and history.

CONTRAST
Palenqueros music and dance are more natural and autochthonous; their rhythms are more native and less elegant than the Alvin Ailey dance company's ones. Alvin Ailey Dance Company use more musical instruments, more designed customs and more choreography than Palenqueros in Colombia.

BARRANQUILLA'S  TYPICAL  FOOD

TASK 4

YIRIS BAYTER,  JUAN FELIPE CASTILLA,  JAVIER FLÓREZ

Holidays in Other Countries

How and why English was used on these sites? What did you learn from them?

All these websites use English to teach about holidays in their own countries as a way of letting other people, who doesn´t share their languages, know some special and important things about their cultures.

 

They use English because as we all know it is the most spoken language all over the world, and it's easier for the people who visit their websites to read something in English than in the native language of these countries.

I've learned from all the four websites that people in these countries are very concerned about their manners and traditions. They always are trying to keep their traditions and to teach others about them. They also enjoy sharing those moments with foreigners who respect and enjoy their holidays. Something curious to me was that maybe they are more concerned about their own customs than us.    

PERSONAL CULTURE

Hobbies, sports, music, theater, cinema, etc; can be considered as a form of cultural expression either individually or collectively; especially if the interest is shared by several people. It can create what we commonly known as a case of subculture. Subculture in the sense that there are many people sharing the same interests about something. No matter the distance, language or religion, that interest serves as a mechanism of communication all over the world.

In my personal case, I'm a lover of music and dancing. I think they are important and useful to keep a balance between mind and body. Also, I have made many great friends because of them. I think that the purpose of sharing our ideals with others is to help us in the development of being a better person. This is a way of create a personal culture inside the culture that we belong to, because it brings people together around the same thoughts no matter the space, distances or race.

Economic Empowerment for Women

If I were Kiva organization I would lend the money to Erika Patricia. First of all, this is her first Kiva loan and it is not a large a quantity of money. Also she is a young woman, and this could be a way to support young and enthusiastic ideals of our country. In addition to it, her business seems to be so productive in the society of Barranquilla because of the products she sells.

"The loan of $650 will help Ericka Patricia to buy products in quantity".

Kenyan Matatu Drivers

1. How are matatu drivers treated in his experience with the BBC?

Despite the bad moment with the cops and the bad reaction his workmates, the matatu driver thought that the whole experience was wonderful. As he said "a bad start creates a good step". This is not just a sample of his positivism in life, but also the enthusiasm of earning some extra money by spending one full day working and not worrying about any gang or being arrested.

The matatu driver was treated very well by all the BBC team; they all had a wonderful time through the journey. He was ashamed because of the reaction of his workmates, and despite he knew it was not his fault he still felt guilty.

2. Do Barranquilleros have the same negative opinion of mototaxistas as the Kenyans have of matatu drivers?

Yes, we have it. Not only barranquilleros, but also we all Colombians have the same negative opinion about “mototaxistas”. In our society is very common to think that all of them are thieves, murderers or something like that. We tend to prejudice and create stereotypes about them; we always forget that this is the only way that they and their families have to survive.