Use this collection of activities to prepare you to be culturally aware for our next mission trip
Activity 1: Examine the Room
Write down all the things you observe on the left side of a piece of paper. On the right side of the paper, write down your interpretations of these observations. (Examples: Susie brought paper with her today so she could take notes. Jim wore jeans, so it must be cold outside.)
Compare and reflect as a group on your observations and interpretations. Point out that the left column includes straightforward facts while the statements in the right column are assumptions and are much more subjective in nature. How many of your interpretations were incorrect?
Takeaway: Even when we are comfortable with our surroundings, our interpretations can still be subject to error. In a different culture, it is even easier to make mistakes and incorrect assumptions.
Activity 2: The Universal Circle
Examples: When I was growing up…
…my parents taught me to respect my elders.
…if I got in a fight with my sibling, my parents taught us to talk out the problem.
…I learned at church that God would punish me for my sins.
…I had to be quiet during church services.
Ask participants to take a step toward the center of the circle each time a statement applies to them. If everyone or almost everyone steps toward the center of the circle after a statement, the statement might be universal. That means it may not be specific to a certain culture. If only a few people step forward, the statement may apply only to a particular culture. A facilitator should record whether each statement is cultural or universal.
Afterward, discuss what makes some statements universal and others cultural. Talk about what cultures may be represented in your group based on the exercise. For example, you may have some group members from a Christian school background and some from a public school background.
Explore how the different cultures to which the people in your group belong could influence how you will experience the cultures you encounter on your trip. Keep the cultural differences within your group in mind as you learn about the culture to which you will be going. This will enrich your discussions and improve your awareness of your own cultural biases.
Takeaway: Some experiences, beliefs, and values tend to be shared by many people across cultural boundaries, while others are very specific to an individual culture. Knowing the difference between these two categories can help you navigate a new culture with respect and humility.
For more helps on getting ready for other cultures, see these resources and article, Culture Shock.
This article is part of Faithward.org’s Short-Term Mission Trip Planning Toolkit and is used with permission. © Reformed Church Press, 2020.