Rashid al mutawa=H00274494

Reflective
Journal
INTERCULTURAL STUDIES

The most memorable part of the course

The most memorable part of the course was when we had a group debate in
class, to learn more about the 12 dimensions. For every dimension each
group has to choose one polarity, and define or explain why that polarity is
better than the other. That way we would have better presentation skills, and
we will learn the subject much faster.

Challenges you faced during this course

We faced many challenges in this course one of them is making a movie and
recording our voice and put it in the movie. We faced problems downloading
the clip of the movie and editing it to put it in our video to present it in class.
We also faced another challenge in learning the application of making the
movie. These new things helped us gain more experience in editing and
making a movie.

What was exciting or surprising during this course?

The exciting thing in this course was when we had a chance to visit sikka art
fair, it feature works of UAE-based artists, representing many different
nations, encouraging them to share their talent with the wider community,
further encourage a culture of art in Dubai. Taking place at the historic Al
Fahidi Neighborhood, the fair showcases site-specific work, spanning an array
of mediums including audio and video installations, multi-disciplinary
initiatives, artistic installations, music performances and visual arts, such as
painting, photography and sculptures. This trip was interesting for us, and it
was something nice to visit a place like Sikka. Most of our courses we hadnt
got any trip since semester one. Its nice to change the studying
environment time by time.

What frustrated you? Explain

At our final project I was frustrated because my team mates choose to
interview a japan person and a short, and simple interview with him. The
problem we faced was to find a Japanese person to interview. The ones we
found they had difficulty understanding us, and most of them were scared.
Until my friend outside the collage he gave me an idea of making an
interview for the shelf of a restaurant he always go to, and he knows him
well. We had some help from the waiter of restaurant translating what he
meant. They chose japan because they have many traditions activity they
would like to share with the class at the presentation.

What is the most important part of the theory you chose?

Why?
I choose the 12 measurable dimensions of culture, they describe a persons
preference, and they are very situational in many different aspects in life. It
has 12 elements and each element has 2 polarities. And these 12 elements
describe how a person would react in regard of each in these 12 dimensions.

What changes would you make to the theory you chose?

Explain.
The changes I would do to the theory I would combine relationship with
connecting, because both of them have the same meaning. In relationship
there are universal and situational, universal is like exclusive in the
connecting element, both like to be in a group and hang out. And situational
is like inclusive in the connecting element, they serve their own purpose.

Identify 3-5 main things you learned from this course

about yourself and other cultures. Explain.
After my experiences living and studying in Dubai, I have realized that self
awareness is the first step to effective intercultural communication. Do you
seek agreement from the people who are listening to you when you make a
statement? When you are trying to solve a problem with people from all
different parts of the world, you know that you have a rich opportunity for
learning. Try to focus less on asserting your own opinion or ideas and
instead, try to find out what other people's ideas are, how those ideas might
reflect their own culture and how various points of view could create a
stronger solution to your problem. there is a lot of emphasis placed on the
value of speaking and voicing your opinion but not as much value is
placed on observing and listening. There is so much that you can gain if you
are willing to listen more than you talk and watch how others communicate.

List cultural dimensions that you think are important for

people living in Dubai, then design your own inter-cultural
framework or model that could help people become interculturally successful. Present a visual model then provide
a short explanation.
The cultural dimensions that I think most important for people living in Dubai
is growth, relationships, outlook, and status. In state of growth, people in
Dubai think more of training their employees to make a better and more
effective company. Most of the companies they have at least 2 months
training for employees who are fresh graduate to give them more knowledge
and experience about the work environment. In relationship, Dubai is
considered more universal, they dont just meet at work to finish projects
and leave, they meet outside the working environment to know each other
more and become more like friends. The third dimension is outlook. As you
see Dubai is always seeking for innovations and for new technology that
develop the country. For example building a place to ski in the mall, building
the tallest building in Dubai, and etc.. Dubai never stops in innovating to be
the best city. In status Dubai is considered more achieved, everyone has to
work hard to achieve his goal or where he wants to be.

What changes will you make in the future based on what

you learned in this course?
Actually everything in the course was great and well prepared. In the future I
would do more like competition so that the students prepare well they
presentation and do their best to be the first, in that way their presentations
would be more exciting. And doing more activities help the students learn
better than lessening to lectures like the rest of the courses. As everyone
knows the students can focus mostly the first 15 minutes of the lecture and
then they start losing focus. And its better if the group keep mixing, no every
time the same people in the same group, this will make them meet new
people and make new friends. This will give the teach a chance to know who
will really working in the group and who is waiting for the project to be done
and just present it.

Academic Honesty Statement

In producing this project, I/We have:
followed the academic honesty requirements as specified by HCTs Academic
Honesty Policy. I/we have read and understood the above instructions and
confirm that all of the material contained in this assessed task is my or our
own work or is appropriately sourced. I understand that the penalty for
cheating is dismissal from the HCT.
Student
Name
Rashid Al
Mutawa

Student ID

Signatur

Date

H00274494

e
rsahid

4/23/201
6