Cultural anthropology: Becoming a minority of one

TL;DR:
This cultural anthropology field trip assignment asks students to intentionally place themselves in a worship setting where they are cultural or linguistic outsiders -- a "minority of one." The goal is not to compare worship styles or theology, but to experience what it feels like to be out of place, uncertain, and dependent on others' cultural cues. The page includes advice on "surviving" cross-cultural experiences.

• Students who experience being a minority in a cross-cultural setting often report feelings of discomfort and uncertainty.
• Possibilities for the assignment include attending a church or other place of worship where the language is unfamiliar or where the attendees are culturally different from the student.
• The experience should not just be a visit to a different denomination from the one with which the student is familiar. The objective is to spend time with a group of people whose everyday culture is quite different from that of the student.

Attending a religious service or event in a different culture -- Feeling like a foreigner

Field trip: Becoming a fish out of water

This assignment is designed to send you on a cross-cultural field trip where you become a minority of one. The worship part is not the central issue. The central objective of this assignment is to find yourself as a minority in a situation where you feel out of place and where you may be uncertain about what is expected of you.

In your one- to two-page report, don't tell me how you discovered people can worship in any culture. In fact, don't focus on the worship event itself.

I want you to describe how you felt and reflect on any uncomfortable moments you experienced. What took you out of your comfort zone? You may mention discovering that God speaks more than one language.

Do not report on an experience you had months or years ago before this course began. It must be an experience you have had since starting this Cultural Anthropology course.

Possibilities

Services and events in other religions also qualify, provided the participants are not from your own ethnic, cultural, and language group.

• Go to a church or other place of worship where the service is in a language you do not speak (Spanish or Korean, for instance).
• Attend a religious service or event whose participants come primarily from ethnic, cultural, and language backgrounds different from your own. Choose a setting where you will clearly be a cultural outsider.
  • Addresses and phone numbers for places of worship in Oklahoma City, including a Hindu temple, mosques, and synagogues [ see listing ]
  • Students for whom visiting a predominantly Black church would be a cross-cultural experience may find useful church information in The Black Chronicle, Oklahoma's weekly African-American newspaper.

Note: Going to a church of a denomination different from the one you are accustomed to (such as a Baptist going to a Roman Catholic service or a Lutheran going to a Pentecostal one) will not fulfill the objectives of this assignment. This is not about experiencing different forms of worship. It is about being in the midst of a group of people very different from you culturally and perhaps even linguistically.

Sample student report

• Actual student report

-- Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu

Surviving a cross-cultural experience

"Surviving" a cross-cultural experience requires an open mind, adaptability, and respect for diversity. Embrace the unfamiliarity with curiosity rather than fear. Take the initiative to learn about the customs, traditions, and values of the culture you're encountering, and be willing to engage with locals on their terms. Listen actively, ask questions, and seek to understand rather than judge. Flexibility is key. Be prepared for unexpected situations. Be willing to adjust your expectations and behaviors accordingly. Lastly, remember that while mistakes are inevitable, humility and a willingness to learn from them can actually deepen your connections to people in the new culture.

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