What are some of the challenges that you may face?
ESSAY QUESTIONS for Bi-Cultural TARMACparticipants Each essay should be 3 to 5 pages, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins and using 12 point Times New Roman font. Essay questions may be edited by faculty evaluator to better reflect your experience. Introduction Essay Set the context for your experience: Briefly describe the two cultures of your “bi-culture”: e.g. the broader American culture, and your Black-American.
Talk about your reasons for choosing to write about your life experience as a cross-cultural kid. Introduce the reader to your academic and personal developmental goals for this experience. What Biblical themes and instruction have helped you process your life experience as a bi-cultural person? Question 1 Essay Discuss the following questions regarding the differences between the cultural norms of broader American
culture and your “2nd” culture with which you identify. 1. What are the differences between the cultural norms of the broader American culture and your 2nd culture? (Refer to the different cultural norm categories presented by Storti) 2. Give examples of how you have seen each of these cultural norms acted out. 3. According to Pollock & Van Reken, what are the cultural norms that characterize “cross-culture kids”? To what
degree do you identify with their depiction of CCKs as someone who has had a bi-cultural journey? Question 2 Essay Describe the interaction between the two cultures of your bi-culture. In your description, discuss: 1. Your level of interaction with each of the two cultures that have made up your bi-cultural journey. 2. How knowledgeable are you of your 2ndculture’s: Music? Art? History? Politics? 3. If you have had limited
exposure, what might you do in the future to better embrace this dimension of your bi-cultural personality? Conclusion Essay Summarize your journey as a bi-cultural CCK. Reflecting upon your reading of chapters 7-12 of Pollock & Van Reken, discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses of having a “cross cultural kid” personality? As you recall your own experience, what are some of the blessings? What are some of the challenges that you may face? How has it shaped the person you have become? How will it inform your life as you move ahead on your journey?