- What tools can we use to become open minded?
By the very first moment, when you meet a new person from a different country you are in the point to experiment a reaction which could be called as a culture shock.
From my point of view this shock always exists cause it is something new and maybe strange. We usually are afraid of changes basically because we do not know so much about what is going to happen, who is that person, what does word mean...but the important fact is the attitude do we have in reference of it.
I consider that being open minded is essential, that is why you are more flexible to respect other cultures and as a result to ask for them and become interesting at their religion, music, food, etc. On top of that, being open minded does not necessary mean to agree what other cultures believe, it is only a way of respect, just it. So, as rational humans we should take the most from other cultures. It is the best chance to learn from other people's opinions, behaviour, tradition and try to understand why they do like this and not the way around.
I also would like to relate that topic to racism. Unfortunately, a huge number of people feel racism and most of them show it by critizising, offending...in general they use an artificial gun to eliminate people who is different to them (sex, skin color, behaviour, religion, etc.). The fact/mistake is that they do not RESPECT which I think is the most important tool to avoid xenophobia and other intolerance attitudes.
I have to say that studying Globalization and Professional Change is an act of being open minded cause the class is a mix of nationalities and also the activities it takes part. I really want to mention the game (web) we have made in that lesson. In my opinion, it has been a very useful exercice to show our first feelings when we arrive to a new country (cultures shock). I could see similarities and also differences. Sharing our own experiences is an important way to share our cultures and the different perspectives/views we understand the life.
In my case, I wrote down the word: CORRECT because Denmark is a country very organized, punctual, coherent, etc. So, I thought that the word could fit best my view is that one. In the country I live (Spain, Barcelona) we used to be more desorganized, unpuctual and we do not always behaviour according to the rules.
Not only studying that subject is an act to be more open minded, in fact being an Erasmus student is the begining of a new experience characterized by studying with classmates from all over the world. Moreover, the teachers had provided as the telephones, countries, meaningful games in order to meet each other.
When I ask myself: HOW TO BECOME OPEN MINDED AS A PROFESSIONAL I do not become worried or nervous because I think that I am a person who loves inmigration. I really believe that cultural diversity is always enriching so why do I have to be closed mind if I can learn and enjoy from other cultures?
From my point of view and as I commented before, the RESPECT is the best tool but also we have to take into account children behaviour, the languages they speak, etc. We can search on Internet information about their countries in order to understand better their life and make cooperative lessons. I mean, as future teachers we should make classes in mixed groups, share the different cultures and we always must be aware of the importance of being constantly learning, studying courses, travel abroad, etc.
I have just said that we should make mixed group and integrate the cultures in the classroom so I would like to explain you that this year I made my practice lessons in a school in Barcelona where the cultural diversity was very notable. I though that I was very lucky cause I love it. In order to integrate the different cultures I did the English grammar topic “Where are you from?” and I used that question to know about my classmates origins and also to improve their self-confidence. So, I did the class with a map and the flags of the children's countries and I also brought to class meaningful real object (input) to show them that I am familiar with different cultures and I accept them.
To conclude, I would like to write a very simple sentence but which is full of meaning and true:
Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color. (Unknown, author)
