This assignment will require you to do research on your host site. Here are some guiding questions you could consider as you conduct your research and explore these dialectics (you do not need to answer all of them, they’re meant to get you started in the right direction):
History/Past-Present/Future: How are some key historical events or movements of your study abroad site shaping and informing current events or movements? What past or current events in your own culture might impact how you interact or view others in the target site?
Privilege-Disadvantage: In what ways are some groups privileged? In what ways are some groups disadvantaged? What are the important historical and current waves of immigration? Who, if any, are indigenous peoples? In what ways might you be privileged or disadvantaged when you are abroad that are different than at home? Your social identity worksheet may be of particular use to you on this question.
Differences-Similarities: What customs, norms, beliefs or value patterns seem to be more enduring? What new customs, norms, beliefs or value patterns seem to be emerging? What cultural similarities might you have with the host culture(s) at your target site, what differences?
Personal-Contextual: How might your social roles and interactions change? How might you be in opposition to your own culture’s norms, beliefs or values when abroad because of the beliefs and values of people at your study abroad site?
