Globalization Theme 2

The textbook definition of globalization is the act of globalizing, or extending to other or all parts of the world. From what I have read about and seen is that globalization was a very important step for the world, being able to interact and integrate among people, countries and governments of different cultures and nations. Countries have been buying, selling and trading with each other for a very long time. Although globalization is not new, it has advanced tremendously over the last hundred year for the better! I also think its very interesting that even today in the current wave of globalization that we are still using similar methods to back in early 1900's. I really like what the author Thomas Friedman compared the current wave of globalization to earlier ones, "globalization is farther, faster, cheaper and deeper."I think that is very true. In todays economy there are so many opportunities for international trade and investment due adopting free-market economic systems which vastly increase their productive potential.Companies are also taking advantage of foreign markets by creating partnerships with foreign partners and moving there companies to there countries to give there company an international industry. This strategy allows both factors to benefit. Another huge factor of the new age of globalization is technology. When new technology is created it helps people connect and transfer things easily from different parts of the world. Over my lifetime I have encountered globalization in many ways. One way it has had a great advantage on our society is the advance of technology. Technology has advanced so much since the 1900's and it gives us so many more options to develop not just technologically but also economically. Another things I've noticed in my live is language. The ability to speak a diversity of languages can be both an amazing asset to have as a young individual. Especially in the foreign job market. Employers are likely to hire someone who can speak several languages rather than someone who can only speak one. The last thing is that globalization can increase the competition for already scares jobs out there. This means that young people who in most cases have little or no work experience, are made to compete for jobs with people with vast work experience. Globalization benefits this world in so many ways and I hope that it keeps advancing into bigger and better things! 

Cultural Awareness

In the world there are many different stages of cultural awareness. Most people in the world are unsure of any other culture but there own and stereotype or label anything that doesn't have to do with there own culture or beliefs. These people are put into the Parochial Stage which is the first level of awareness which states that people are aware of their own way of doing things and that there way is the only way. People in this stage ignore cultural differences altogether. The Parochial Stage is not a very good stage to be in because you are thinking very narrowly and are not open for discussion or change. I really enjoyed the article about the IceBerg Theory because it is very true and relatable. A lot of the time people only recognize a tiny portion of cultural aspects are visible to people of other cultures. They only know things such as food, language, accents, clothing, holidays, performing arts and games are some of the more obvious things people notice. Although these things are important there are so many more culturally important things people never notice about other cultures because people never take the time to learn about them. I personally like to learn about other countries values, religious beliefs and family matters to see how they relate to the things that I do and believe in. I have learned about a few cultural perceptions of Ireland and Scotland over the years. One thing I know about Ireland is the Irish River-dance, since I was little I would always enjoy watching the Irish River-Dancing on Tv, the way they would dance was fascinating to me. Another thing I love about Irish culture is St. Valentines Day. People would send unsigned valentines cards to there admirer and then the admirer would go to great lengths to find out there secret admirer was. It is a romantic and fun part of Irelands History that the United States also participates in as well. Except in our tradition we sign who we are on the card, which is a little different than the Irish and leaves a little bit of the romance and fun out of finding out who your admirer is. Valentines day is one tradition that the United States and Ireland share, which is really cool. On the other hand in Scottish culture I have always been interested in the fact that they can play the Bagpipe in amazing unison and how one important cultural piece of clothing is a kilt. I have always wanted to go to Scotland during the month of August so I can get a chance to see the Bagpipers play at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and on Glasgow Green. Another thing that has always interested me is the Scotland Highland Games. The different sports they perform in the games are very interesting to watch! The Main point of my blog is for me to become more culturally aware and able to learn about different cultures and be able to relate to them. 

The stage I want to be in is the Participatory Third Culture Stage. I want to be able to discuss my culture with people of different cultural backgrounds and share our values and hopefully create new meanings with one another. So we will be able to learn about each others culture and respect it.