I had a tough time trying to recall an intercultural conflict for this post. I guess I had been either too ignorant, or had unknowingly averted such clashes that they never escalated to a memorable episode. The following is an incident which I think could possibly develop into a bigger problem.
In Norway, I took an English language module which was a part of their international master’s programme. So naturally there was a fair mix of Norwegian postgraduates, international postgraduates, and a handful of us daredevil bachelor exchange students in class. (It was like pulling a kamikaze stunt every time I stepped into class. Phrase structure, semantics, syntax…it was all Greek to me.) The class had about 50 students, of which half was Norwegian or at least Norwegian-speaking. Less the Europeans, the rest of the nations represented were China, Nepal, Korea, Kazakhstan, Japan and Singapore.
One fine day, we were tasked with a small group exercise. So we got our questions and shifted furniture to form our groups. Halfway through, as our tutor was making her rounds, she exclaimed,
“Why is it that we have this all-Asian group here and all you Norwegians are sitting together?”
Well, nothing happened to follow up that statement. We laughed it off and lesson continued asper normal. I suppose she said that purely out of her observation and meant nothing more.
But what if my Norwegian classmates interpreted the situation as an unfriendly act? Could they have thought that we (Asians) congregated deliberately? That we did not want them in our social circle?
This is probably an instance when like poles do not repel each other. Even though we did not come from the same country or background, we share the common identity as foreigners. When thrown in an unfamiliar environment, I guess we have a built-in mechanism to cling on tosomething we can relate to, someone we can connect to.
This “clinging on” mentality is the reason why I think this could spiral into problems. It definitely occurs in real life. One large complaint about foreigners in a country is that they disregard the local culture and create animosity by doing stuff their way. How can you ever blend into the community when you hang out with the same foreigners every day? How can you do as the Romans do if you do not even make the effort to observe and learn from them?
This is an interesting observation, Iris, even though when you analyze the situation, I'm not sure about a few things. Did the non-Norwegians congregate purposefully together, or not? Did any Norwegians try to join you and get refused?
ReplyDeleteThe main point is that though at least half of you were from a variety of countries, you were all grouped together as "the foreigners" when grouped "against" the Norwegians. This gave you all a commonality that you otherwise would not have had. Very interesting point!
I've felt the same thing here in Singapore when I'm cast into that group of Westerners, or non-Asians. Imagine that Germans, Russians, and Americans, all mortal enemies at some point in history during the last one hundred years could be thrown into the same "group."
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Hi Iris,
ReplyDeleteIt is so true. People of the same ethnic group tend to form the same group. Perhaps, people tend to "stick" to people who have the same cultural roots or background. It is often easier to relate with one another during conversations.
If you have read my post about intercultural behaviour, you will notice some similarities in the situation I faced in Vietnam too.
Nevertheless, in this globalized world,we should all try to integrate with people from all ethnic groups.
@ Brad:
ReplyDeleteNo the non-Norwegians did not congregate purposefully; neither did the Norwegians. It just happened (a little too naturally). Of course we did not refuse anyone!
@ Deenise:
Yeah it is like a fundamental flaw in our minds that we want commonality to identify with! Ah insecure humans!