1. Cultural Differences
Facilitated by a member of the faculty and/or staff at
KEYS Academy and Options HS

2. Your Presenter… A member of the faculty at KEYS Academy or Options HS
Internationally Certified in Life Skills through the ARISE Foundation

3. Rules for Training Participation is crucial No wrong/stupid answers
Respect one another
No talking while others talk,
No rude comments or noises
Wait until you’re called upon

4. Why we’re here… Because we have to be
To learn some skills that will carry over into adulthood
To learn more about ourselves

5. How we’re going to do it…
Discussion
Everyone participates
Some, very little lecture
Activity or activities
Some Conclusions

6. Questions?

7. Ice Breaker What is an ice breaker? How do you identify yourself?
What makes you, you?

8. Ice Breaker!!!!

9. Topic of the Day: Cultural Differences
What are Cultural Differences?
What is your cultural?
What different cultures exist in the world?

10. Topic of the Day: Cultural Differences
Why is it important that we learn about and respect other cultures?
What can we do to make ourselves more multicultural?

11. Definition of “Cultural” and “Cultural Diversity”
According to Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary, cultural means:
of, or pertaining to the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.
Cultural Diversity:
refers to having different cultures respect each other's differences. The phrase "cultural diversity" is also sometimes used to mean the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world as a whole

12. How Do You Identify Your Culture?
Your culture has many layers to it. Some questions you might consider are:
What is your race and ethnicity?
How do you spend holidays?
How do you interact with others?
What are your views on roles and relationships?
What values, practices and customs do you believe in?
(Religious, academic, dating etc.)

13. American Culture
If you identify with the American culture, the following items might be important to you:
-Americans think of time as very important and it determines how they will spend their day.
-Americans are usually linear thinkers who want you to get to the point quickly when you are talking.
-Americans do not believe so much in fate. Instead, they believe that life is what you make it, if you work hard you will get what you want.

14. Activity: Activity Sheet p. 55 (Working alone) Respond to the answers
Share your answers with a partner. Then share with the class.
How are your answers different from your partners? How are they different from others in your class?

15. Activity: How Do We Become Multicultural?
Most Americans do not feel like they have a specific culture since the United States is a mixture of all different people, races, religions etc. How do we become more aware/respectful of other cultures?
-Brainstorm with your class what things are cultural at:
-KEYS vs. Home Campus
-Eastside vs. Other side of town in El Paso
-El Paso vs. Juarez/Las Cruces/other neighboring city

16. Conclusions -Are things always better in one place or the other?
-Can you value someone's thoughts even if they are different from your own?

17. Conclusions
If you are interested in becoming more open minded and a more global thinker try some of the following suggestions:
-Make a list of foods that you have never eaten and try visiting a restaurant once a month that offers that type of food.
-Visit a place of worship that is different from your own set of beliefs. Read a little background first so you are prepared for the differences in ceremony etc.
-Find a foreign exchange student at your school or in your city and participate in activities with them.