KOH3361 - Individual Assignment PJJ - Case Study 2: US-Foreign Student Intercultural Encounter

KOH3361 - Individual Assignment [PJJ]- Case Study 2: US-Foreign student intercultural encounter

Due 10 November 2012

INSTRUCTION

It would be good to role play this conversation and then answer the questions raised at the end of this paper. You can take the role as the student and get a colleague to act as the US student.

Your task is to analyze the influence of values on communication behavior in this intercultural setting. You will find discussion question at the end of the dialogue. This assignment will carry 10% of total points.

Submit online/email a 3-page report of your analysis to latest by 10 November 2012.

Here is the Scenario –US-foreign students intercultural encounter

Two classmates are talking after receiving their graded exam. _____ is a U.S. student, _____ is a foreign student. It seems the American student is very interested in comparing grades, while the foreign student is less so. The foreign student, on the other hand, is interested in studying together and helping each other, which is not in the mind of the U.S. student. Let’s see what happens.
U.S.: Hey _____, I’m glad we got our tests back, I can’t believe it took him a week to grade them.
Foreign: Well, they were very complicated. It was a long and difficult test.
U.S.: You can say that again. My parents don’t understand how much time I spend studying. They want me to come home every weekend and I tell them I have to stay at the library. But then, they didn’t go to college – I’m the first in our family.
Foreign: I can understand why your parents would want you to come home to visit. But it’s good that you are so serious about your studies.
U.S.: I sure am, I have an idea for a new dot com business and I plan to be a millionaire before I’m 25. But for now, study study study. Anyway, so how did you do on the test?
Foreign: Okay, I think. I could have done better.
U.S.: Well, I basically aced this test. I made a 95 out of 100! The professor said only two people scored in the 90s, I’m sure I must have been the top grade. I should do fine if the others are like this. I need to get an A in this class.
Foreign: We have another test next week, maybe we should study together to help each other.
U.S.: I don’t know. I studied by myself for this test and did well. I don’t think I really want to do a study group. By the way, what was your score?
Foreign: Oh, I don’t think you want to know, really.
U.S.: Look, there’s nothing to be ashamed of, just tell me.
Foreign: If you insist – I made a 98.
U.S.: Hey _____, let’s make a study date for tonight!

Discussion:

Are these two students friends?
What do you think about the U.S. student’s goals and ideas, is she modest?
Is it common that students share information about their grades in your home country?
How would you describe the classroom environment at home?
What U.S. values are touched on in this episode?