Learning Journal 29

So I had a really good chat with Dallin today about what to expect of my field study experience. He basically just said that it is going to be really hard. Trying to figure out how to live in a different culture is hard work. he said that feelings of wanting to go home are normal so is a little crying. He said not to think its going to be a party down there. There will be ups and downs and it will will be very challenging. While he was telling me this I was kind of having feelings of "oh boy what did I get myself into" and "am I going to be able to handle this" again. It kind of got me worried about trying to assimilate into a new culture. One of the things Dallin did say that really helped me was the part he said after the ups and downs. He said something to the effect of "just like life, it has its ups and downs too and you just have to get through them". I really liked when he said that. It made me think about all the trials and hard things I've had to get through to get where I am today Yes, they were hard but I got through them and even though they were hard the experience was worth it. I grew in so many different ways and learned so much because it was hard. I know these thoughts are a little jumbled and might be confusing but I think I've finally realized that even though a field study is a TON of work and as hard as it will get down there in Tonga, the experience will be worth it! So bring it on!!

Learning Journal 27

I have thought a lot about culture shock and how it will affect me while when I get to the field. I have thought about all the different things I might experience and what things will be different than what I'm used to. In the article, "Coping with Culture Shock" by Ferraro, it talks about all the many different aspects of culture shock that I haven't even thought of. It defines culture shock as precipitated by the anxiety that results from losing all our familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. I read through a bunch of the items on the list and a lot of them I haven't even thought of. Things like how people meet each other, how they greet and interact with each other, and the rituals or other things they do that are different than what I am used to. I also didn't think about things like our humor being different. I mean I feel like a lot of people think I am funny and laugh at me. One of the things I love to do is make people laugh and I'm afraid that I won't be able to in Tonga. I think the best thing I can do for right now in preparing for culture shock is to not expect anything. Just do my best everyday and remember that I can do anything for a day.

Learning Journal 15

Lately I have been thinking about the different perceptions and ideas people have that can differ from others. Some people have different perceptions and it can be hard when they differ from yours. I am having this problem with one of my good friends. We both have completely different views on a certain subject and how it should be. I think it should be this way and he thinks it should be a different way. I don't really understand his viewpoints and he doesn't really understand mine. I think a lot of how we came to have the viewpoints that we have are because of how we were raised and how we grew up. I think it also has to do with our personalities and who we are. It causes a lot of difficulties and is hard to deal with. This situation I am in now makes me wonder what situations like this I will run into in the field. I know pretty much everyone in Tonga are going to have different viewpoints on certain things or maybe on everything than I do. My question is how do I deal with that? Do I just ignore my perceptions and just listen to theirs? I guess the point of a field study is to immerse yourself in the culture and do everything their way so you can learn about them and their perceptions. My ideas and perceptions don't really matter. Just some more things I have been pondering lately.