23 Jan New Years 2017 Blog Challenge Round Up #3
Welcome to the Week Three Blog Challenge recap!
This January, bloggers living around the world are taking the challenge to start the year off with weekly blog posts on meaningful topics. Over the past week, blog posts on the new prompt have been pouring out into the blogosphere and we’ve rounded them up for you here.
The Prompt: Cultural Differences
The point of this prompt was not really to draw attention to how big the differences are between cultures, but actually to realize how we’re all heavily influenced by the underlying, unspoken “rules” of culture. Understanding why people behave the way they do and empathizing with the values that inform their decisions is an important skill. This week, we used some social science and cultural communication resources, like the 10 variables of culture differences, to inspire our blog posts.
Highlights
It’s not hard to find stand out blog posts among this community of passionate bloggers! Here are just a few examples of great posts from the past week, with a few notes about how you can apply their strategies, too:
- Here’s a great example of sharing life lessons from abroad with folks who might follow in your footsteps. Also, a good reminder to always link back to your previous blog posts that relate to the new topic! (Liz, Mozambique)
- This is a fun, photo-centric post from the perspective of a village dog as a way to share cultural differences about pets. (Morgan, South Africa)
- The focus on one topic and the composition of this post, with super-sized quotes, super-short paragraphs to highlight ideas, bolded headings, plenty of space, etc. make this page really attractive. (Olivia, Madagascar)
- A “10 Things” tribute list with supporting stories and pictures is a great way to share why you’ll miss your host country. (Mark, Kyrgyzstan)
You’re encouraged to browse the Round Up links listed below for more blog inspiration and interesting cross-cultural topics. You can also find more posts highlighted on our Blog Challenge pinterest board.
Posts:
- 5 Tips for Assimilating into a New Culture Posted by Liz Schutz
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I am on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because even when I’m not doing my formal job of teaching, I’m still an ambassador of the United States. This is… - To Be, or to do: that is the question. Posted by kbort
She wildly swings her hips, trying to catch the bamboo hoop with each evolution. The more she swings the more recklessly the hoop catapults to the ground. “See, I can’t do it,”… - How to dine like a costeñx* Posted by this brianna hope
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Years Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences. If you want to dine with people here on the coast of Colombia, there are some key tips… - I don’t see alone as lonely Posted by ohwhatadaringadventure
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Years Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences. We see things not as they are but as we are -Anaïs Nin Intercultural… - In Death There is Life Posted by Justin Rickey
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Years Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences.“As members of society, most of us see only what we expect to see, and what we… - Five truths about living in a different culture Posted by sidneycech
I am lucky to have done a lot of traveling in my life. I’ve visited 17 different countries, spent countless hours on airplanes and in airports, tried traditional foods, met local people, and… - A Lesson On Slowing Down Posted by Olivia Prentzel
“Ino ty vaovao?” is a common greeting used throughout the big red island. Despite your location on the island, you’ll likely hear a variation of this greeting, meaning “What’s new?”The typical… - A kilometer in Another’s shoes Posted by peace2moldova
Hi Reader! Today I’m continuing the Blog challenge with talking about cultural differences. I feel like most of my blog posts talk at least in part to some differences in cultures, but today I… - Meet Ginger: An African Village Dog Posted by Morgan Lee Stoner
Tobela!My name is Princess Ginger Popsicle-stick, aka Ginger, Gingy, Gingy-Pop, Miss Popsicle-stick, Princess Pop, the list goes on (this is what happens when you are named by a committee of… - Panas Climate Culture Posted by themilcents
In Sarah Lanier’s book Foreign to Familiar she touches upon the general differences between the hot and cold climate cultures. Most western countries fall under the cold climate culture… - six facts about filipinos Posted by Nina Powell
One thing I love about traveling the most is understanding and getting to know different cultures. Cultures are the roots that hold everyone together to stay connected and if you dig deep enough,… - Five Random Filipino Things Posted by determinedwandererblog
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Years Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences. I was having a bit of trouble talking about Filipino culture as a whole, so instead, I… - bless our hearts. Posted by krystalwright18
Lowering of the flags in Eenhana, Ohangwena, Namibia. Culture, defined simply, is a total way of life for a particular group of people. Similarities of thinking, speaking and behaving are… - “You’re too Zambian.”Posted by shouyuanart
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Years Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences. “Culture is central to what we see, how we make sense of what we see, and how we… - Cultural Difference, the more different we are the more we are the same. Posted by seaofcarnage
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Years Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences. The thing that stood out the most for me is the clothes in Jamaica. Not that they are… - 10 Things I Will Miss Most About Kyrgyzstan Posted by Mark Jahnke
Given that my plane tickets for the end of my time in Kyrgyzstan are now purchased and the reality that I’m leaving in four months has set in, I think that it’s time to reflect back on the things… - Greetings From Namibia Posted by littlebackpackbigworld
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Years Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences. I’m from New Jersey. I spent the first eighteen years of my life bouncing… - Cheating? What’s That? Posted by Beth Ogden
I’m going to start with a little story that is familiar to any volunteer who has sat in a classroom here in Moldova on a test day (this story is not fictional, but my observations from a… - Becoming a Panamanian Professional in 5 Easy Steps Posted by Gabby
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Years Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences Picture, if you will, the following scenario: You’re a young woman going to work in… - An Adjustment Period Posted by Kirk
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Years Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences.“Intercultural Communications folks have broken cultural differences down to 10 variables:… - How to Be a Host in Moldova Posted by Susan
1. Have hugs and kisses to spare, and clear out a place by the door for shoes. A traditional welcome in Moldova and much of the Slavic world involves offering bread and salt… - Getting Cultured Posted by hitherekatehere
This post is part of Blogging Abroad’s 2017 New Year’s Blog Challenge, week three: Cultural Differences. I have to say that this week’s topic—exploring differences between … - Who’s in Control? Posted by Christine
By His grace. This is my response to any number of requests or statements ranging from requests for me to take someone to the United States to whether I’ll make it to an event… - What’s in a Swazi Surname? Posted by Alison
Sisi, greet this person. Sisi, greet this person. Sisi, greet this person. I was receiving a tour of my soon-to-be home and community from my eldest sisi…
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