Exploring International Culture

Erika McDaniel

A Taste of India

-Annual event-Hosted by the Association for India’s Development-Cincinnati chapter-Food, music, Bollywood dancing, shopping, meditation, henna, and more

Taco Tuesday

-Good food and good music-Sponsored by Latinos in Acción

Modern Day Slavery

-Documentary and discussion about the many forms of slavery in

today’s world-Featured works by photographer Lisa Kristine-Sponsored by UC Resident Education and Development-Slavery as a global issue

“Folklore”/Religious Customs

-traditional roles of women in India: home-makers, child-bearers-bindi acts on pressure point to stimulate higher thought, since Indian women didn’t trigger that part of brain in other routine activities-sixth chakra. Retains energy and strengthens concentration-all females minus widows-mark for married women to signify husband is alive and well (red=honor, love prosperity)

-Evolved meaning (becomes more common but its purpose is less known in Indian society)-Has become more of a fashion statement for many women today

Per Asawari Deshmukh

“Folklore”/Marriage Customs

-Customs vary from state to state-Color in Indian weddings, because white is bland/boring/not happy-Joy is represented through color

-Rice thrown on bride and groom as a blessing on their marriage-Rice is a common crop. Signifies prosperity/bounty-Rice grows fast. Represents fertility

Per Asawari Deshmukh

Favorite Childhood Story

-Anne-Marie Jezequel-Le Loup et l’Agneau (The Wolf and the Lamb), fable by Jean de La Fontaine-Mother read it to her often-Also read it in school-Had it memorized by age 4-Unhappy ending, not unlike Little Red Riding Hood

Culturegrams-Dating & Marriage:

*Cohabitation is frowned upon (esp in rural areas)*Couples who become pregnant are expected to marry*Marry around age 28*Night before wedding, groom may have a band serenade the bride*Weddings generally follow Catholic tradition*Certain areas are more tolerant of infidelity-Life Cycle:

*After giving birth, mothers go on 40-day “diets” of no cooking, cleaning, or performing other household tasks

*Babies used to be named after saints. Biblical names are still common*First communion, confirmation, & quinceañeras are important events*Adult at 18. Men do one mandatory year of military service*Death is a big deal. Plañideras, luto (mourning) and yearly mass to pray for salvation

-Education:*Primary school is compulsory. About 70% of Colombians complete it.*May choose technical or academic track for secondary school*Public schools are free but of low quality. Catholic schools are common.*Uniforms worn by all students

Culturegrams

-Dating & Marriage:*Similar to US in many ways(dating, etc)*Avg ages to marry are 34(m) and 31(f)*Same sex marriage is legal*Nearly 50% of marriages end in divorce

-Life Cycle:*Influenced by Lutheran state church*Baptisms as newborn and confirmation at 15*Adult at 18. Some work or travel before entering university*Military service mandatory for men*Burial used to be reserved for religious

-Education: *Free and compulsory from ages 6-16*First 7 yrs=primary, next 3=lower

secondary*Learn many languages*Universities are also nearly free, but

space is limited, so many study in UK, US or Australia

Ethnic-Oriented Organization

-“…dedicated to the awareness and celebration of the hispanic culture in Cincinnati and the UC campus…goal is to encourage hispanic cultural awareness through community service, cultural campus events and language practice.”

- Organization Purpose/Description as seen on SALD webpage- Current as of 1/18/2008

-Hosts events like Día de los Muertos Celebrations and salsa lessons

-https://webapps2.uc.edu/sald/OrgInfo.aspx?GUID=2065b7aa-256d-4a2b-bb2c-0bd9e28325cc

Flag on Campus

-Italian flag-Leah’s roommate Linda was born to Italian parents-Culturally significant. Identity rooted in Italian heritage.-Expression of cultural pride ^Cultural pride is found worldwide (for example, in Montreal)-Green: hills, provincial-White & Red: mountains & bloody battles for independence (colors of Milan flag)

-UC students will have travelled to 50 different countries on study tours by the end of the 2012-2013 academic school year, according to

+ = POCAMELO

-Lions Camel Cup Carnival in July-Alice Springs, North Territory, Australia-Camel races, followed by pocamelo (polo on camels)-Not played in US, because camels aren’t a significant part of the culture of the western world

-Ordered in French at Club Social in Montreal-Barista could tell I wasn’t fluent in French-Think most Quebecois appreciated the effort -Very proud of their unique culture

Pictures

Place of Worship -Notre Dame BasilicaPublic Transportation

-the metro -city buses

Works Cited

http://www.stonedcrow.com/news_and_sport/wacky_sports.htmhttp://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=7&wmn=South_America&cid=35&cn=Colombiahttp://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=5&wmn=Europe&cid=119&cn=Norway