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Report on workshop: changing perspective to cultural identity
The
work in our workshop has now advanced beyond the middle and all parts
are falling into its places. During the week we have tried to approach
the task of creating an interactive video, highlighting the problems and
concerns an intern of one culture would face when exposed to a new one.
In the process, the group have gone through more laughter and bonding
moments than struggles, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that
we all have got a glimpse into just how much work that is required to
penetrate the surface of our interaction and really understand the differences.
An early highlight was the visit to Sean Cannon's art gallery, which we
visited in order to ask for his and his wife's inputs. This approach of
visiting, rather than telephoning in a more official way really gives
us a chance to get close to the locals. As everyone that has taken part
in this project would agree on, the people of Achill has been nothing
but welcoming, really offering us a chance to investigate and compare
our cultural differences. As the work proceed, we all get a bit stressed
to get the work done, all wanting to present our work in the best possible
way. The final presentation is really our only chance of giving something
back to the islanders who has given so much of their time and really been
open to us getting a glimpse of their life's and the differences present.
Sebastian Geijer
(Swedish group)
Lunch Lecture - Nonverbal communication
For
this lecture we met in "teacher cottage No. 2". Dot started
her lesson with a short sketch, which she performed together with Vera.
It was about a meeting between 2 girls how wanted to plan their holidays
together, it didn't worked out that well because their personalities were
just too different. This well performed sketch was the start of an interesting
discussion, in which we first collected several codes of nonverbal Signals
we found in the sketch, as you can imagine there were quite a few. Some
Kinesics (messages sent by the body) we found for examples were the eye
rolling or hectic movements from the actresses during the conversation.
The next job we had to finished was to split up in groups of two to answer
some questions like "What messages does smiling transmit ?"
or "How do people end conversations nonverbally?". The ideas
were spreading all over the place and the group got really into it.
To bring our results to paper, nonverbal communication is a language which
is given us from birth and there are quite a few gestures and expressions
that are related to our cultural backround, but I think nonverbal communication
is what every individual. makes out of it.
Don't underestimate the power of this kind of communication, but for everyone
how is gonna read this essay, please also see the fact that different
cultures maid have completely different meanings for several gestures,
so if you as not sure just ask rather then being embarrassed.
Jens Alderath
(German group)
Public Relation management
The
main task for me as PR-manager is to write articles for the weekly local
newspaper, the Mayo News. It is a very interesting experience since it
gives me the opportunity to express myself in a creative way and it also
keeps me informed about all aspects of the project as such. For example,
my first article describes the project and it is a way of informing the
inhabitants of Achill Island about our arrival. Further, I have written
an article concerning the reception party which we hosted when we first
came to the island and an article about our farewell party at the end
of the week.
I am learning a lot from this experience. First of all, it is of great
importance to keep the deadlines! A new issue of the Mayo News is printed
every week and it is essential to remember which articles are to be published
and when. Obviously, this is needed in order to send the articles to the
newspaper on the correct dates. Further, a second opinion is worth a lot!
Someone really needs to proof read at least the first version of the articles.
It is easy to make small mistake when it comes to details and it is very
important that what needs to be mentioned is really there. Also, everything
has to be expressed correctly. This may sound easier than it really is,
however, I managed to write a few sentences using "Swinglish"
(a combination of English and Swedish) which made perfect sense to me
but apparently not to the native English-speakers. So if English is not
your first language a second opinion is even more important! Finally,
it is vital to remember that it is impossible to make everything perfect.
The most important part is to get publicity in the newspaper and even
though there may be at least a thousand better ways to express something
you simply cannot stop working because it seems impossible to formulate
a sentence just the way you want it (remember; the deadlines).
Also, it is always great if someone can help out with some of the writing.
The PR-assistant, Anda from Spain, was really helpful and wrote an article
about the project, too. We also exchanged ideas which proved to be very
useful.
This has been a great experience. I am learning more about writing articles,
the importance of promoting a project and I even got the chance to create
a poster. At the moment I am finishing my last article for the Mayo News
and that feels a bit sad to be honest, because it is about leaving the
island.
Elin Lindberg
(the Swedish group)
