If language is exactly what divides ethnicity, then education is exactly what unites folks from understanding different cultures. The training system is one of the vital tools to teach people for global understanding and helps to overcome barriers between diverse societies across the world. However, anticipated to cultural variations within the modern culture, education is thought of differently in various countries. Especially in Western Africa, Ghana, comes with an education system that shows high-power distance sizing. On top of that, their education system contradicts the several relationship between low and high power-distance measurements, why the instructors are centre of education, why students must value the teacher, and what exactly are the relationship between the tutor and the students. Furthermore, the key idea of high and low power-distance sizes leads to the ideas of what's cultural communication, why research intercultural communication and its outcomes.
Summary of Conversation:
Throughout record, education in Ghana was curved into the system of high power-distance sizes. In order to understand what characteristics create a higher power-distance proportions system, I interviewed a pal from Ghana. Thomas Appiagyet is Ghanaian from Western Africa. He emerged to America for advanced schooling and desires experience in the Petroleum anatomist program for his major in college. He particularly chose the University of Kansas because he acquired a Scholarship or grant in the executive department. That is his second semester studying in the us.
I attained Thomas in Watson library because it was a perfect place to interview since the surrounding was very average and quite therefore, it was easy to ask questions and helped to me to concentrate on his ideas and reflect on his responses. We'd our interview on February 24, 2011 around 4pm because that was the only available time for Thomas. I started the interview by greeting him and attempted to combine the questions into it. My questions were mainly based on the education system and concentrated how Ghanaian's understanding could be different from the American ethnic system.
Application of Theory:
White interviewing Thomas, his personal life testimonies led me to visit a different concept which was the energy distance measurements by Hofstedes. Based on the article of "Cultural measurements and social patterns, " Hofstede's Vitality Distance dimension pertains to the amount of equality and inequality present in the society, also it pertains to how people agree to culture and vitality variations. High power-distance societies have connections in which people are distanced from other superior and respect their impression. Thus, countries with high power-distance culture accept the actual fact that 'inequality in ability is definitely the norm; and the health of inequality is authorized by the leaders alternatively than individuals (Ahmed, Mouratidis, & Preston, 2009, p. 49). ' Regarding to Magdalena Polack, the culture of a high power-distance dimension modern culture is characterized by certain distinctions such as students value their teachers, teachers are the center of the training; therefore, the order and the rule of the class room should be followed, students wait around until the tutor gives directions (Polak, 2001)
In distinction, low power-distance societies be based upon their superiors in an approachable way and the decisions can be negotiable (Basabe, Nekane; Ros, Mara, 2005, p. 192). In other words, in this contemporary society, each individual person has less ability over a group of folks and the culture is treated as identical even in an unfair situation. Low power-distance societies likewise have certain distinguishable characteristics such as students have significantly more independence on the teacher, students will be the center of the education, students' initiative and communication is highly appreciated, students should ask any questions and share their own ideas (Polak, 2001). Hofstede's model identifies that generally, most of Western/Northern Western culture is considered as low-power while Asian and Latin People in america are regarded as high power-distance (Ahmed, Mouratidis, & Preston, 2009, p. 53).
This cultural dimensions helped me to differentiate between European and Asian cultures and understand the several characteristics of each culture. It helped to comprehend the gist of the cultural differences and its own population, especially in Ghana. First, Ghana has high vitality distance dimension contemporary society. Relating to Thomas, the teacher was the guts of education where through the lecture. The students issue the condition before nearing the instructor because the educator expected students to find their own solution to the problem alternatively asking questions. Students don't normally visit the teacher during their office hours and the majority of enough time, the teachers can't be found in their office. Also, they set up guidelines. Students can't go against their power and criticize. If not, you will see abuse for the students. Regarding to Thomas, their university used two types of punishments to the students such as corporal consequence and capital abuse. In corporal punishment, when the student fights against other students or other folks, that college student is bodily punished that involves pain such as reaching the back of the scholar using a stay. Other abuse is capital abuse where if student is guilty of plagiarizing work, they can be suspended from university. In addition, the students can't leave the classroom without the authorization of the professor even although lecture is completed.
Second, it is known as rude if the college student expresses their opinion or issues the instructor. So, during category, students normally don't ask questions or communicate their opinions. Lastly, the relationship between the students and the educator is very formal even following the class. Unlike in the States, it's very uncommon that students become friends with the professors. There's always a huge border line which separates the profession of every person. Therefore, Thomas's favorite educator was Mr. Aggry, a physics educator, who always welcomed him and cured him as a friend.
Analysis:
Through the interaction with Thomas, I understood our difference of culture, ethnicity, and vocabulary did not subject of understanding his point of view and putting myself into his shoes. I known every detail experiences he was explaining because I also grew up in a culture where high electric power distance proportions is carved into the culture. However, I had been surprised the way the concept of vitality distance measurements was ubiquitous and it didn't represent just one single ethnicity. Especially, Ghana being ruled by Britain during the past history stunned me that Western Africa was most considered to be high vitality distance dimensions society. By experiencing this sensation, I gain broaden understanding of Ghana's education system and somehow I could set relationship between students from high power distance measurements versus low electric power distance sizes culture. I also recognized that intercultural communication was not only about globalization, but instead how terminology is known through different mediums such as using body gestures, modulation of voice, and eyeball contact. These nuances of communication play a vital role in fully understanding the relationship between basic communication and intercultural communication. Through connection with Thomas, I came to the realization both folks used body gestures when there is a certain notion we didn't understand. For instance, whenever i was asking the question "What influence in your experience has resulted in develop positive sense about your education?" I noticed I used to be using great deal of hand activities in order to make clear the question. Thomas have the precise thing when he was describing particular situation. Besides body language, eyeball contact and the firmness of his words helped me to visualize how involved he was in the interview, and that he fully understand the ambiance of the discussion.
Only interviewing one individual did not help to fully understand the depth of the variations between low and high electric power distance dimensions. Just like all science laboratory experiments need regular values, relationship between more ethnicity and view perspective are needed to create better understanding of intercultural communication. However, the relationship gave me a good stable view point on how high ability distance dimensions can be found in a variety of countries. Also, simply by making questions out of one chosen concept, I was able to draw a correlation between Thomas' experiences to Hofstede's ethnical dimension method. Therefore, completely examining his method could make me understand not only other culture's education system but also see ethnic pattern during intercultural communication.
Conclusion:
In realization, Ghana's culture is combination into high ability distance dimension culture. The difference between high and low electric power distance dimension helps to understand the difference in education system across the world. Low and high social aspect method can be differentiated between different civilizations. Ghana has a culture where teacher has more rights and power than the students plus they must value the any aspect of the educators are making. The partnership between them is also standard and has limitations between them. In addition, despite social, linguistic, or ethnic dissimilarities, the interview was not difficulty and to converse. Communication is not entirely about globalization, but relies greatly on non-verbal cues. However, having one experience is bound to only one discussion, thus cannot make any concrete conclusions about globalization associated with intercultural communication. Every cultural may have cultural differences; however, by understanding their culture in some other point of view is important to exceed havoc between nations.
