Ann Magnuson--- Open topic

         On Monday I really enjoyed the question asked by one of the Russian students wondering how we stimulate our spiritual (meaning intellectual) development. This was not necessarily a surprising comment but rather, uncommon and sparked my interest.

        This led me to think about two things. First of all, I think we completely overlook how entirely different our minds work in comparison to people of different people groups. This goes to show our cultural influences impact us more than we even realize. We realize the way we dress, the ways we view our bodies, the phrases we use, the foods we like, the careers we pursue are affected by culture. But part of what we don't realize is that many things aren't, "Just the way things are." For instance, some of their questions. I think it is a commonality between our societies to want to better our intellectual self, but this is not something people from the United States really verbalize. To hear him (I wish I could remember the Russian student's names better!!), ask this question was thought provoking.

    But on the other hand, knowing how our culture subliminally impacts the ways we do everything: how we act, talk, think, and shape our opinions, can transversely show how we are not impacted by culture, but rather, the similarities in our psychology between people who do not influence one another, can allude to non-culturally impacted operations- a more innate or intuitive part of us. Wanting to be deep, to think spiritual, intellectual thoughts and develop our minds in a philosophical quest to discover things such as the importance of life or questioning one's longheld values is a topic we may or may not talk about in "ice-breaking" conversations but it's something most people venture to think about within themselves.

Lauren Andrews

Through the three weeks of actually communicating with Russia, it is fun to see the different expectations of cultures, as well as the same expectations with our culture. It is also interesting that they ask so many great questions about our powerpoints and we all keep the conversation going for an hour each Monday.

One thing that I think is great about them and different with us, is that they go to speak with us voluntarily. In my opinion, I think it would be much harder to get Americans to give up their time for no such college credit, nor any other reward other than to learn about American culture. I think it is great that it is a volunteer basis so than we get to continually meet new people every week. With meeting new people every week, there are new questions asked and also new perspectives.

On Monday, we spoke a lot about movies. I would have never guessed that two countries had such an interest in the same topic, or cared so much about something so little like a simple movie. It was cool to know that their movie prices were expensive as well and it was fun to see them ask which movie represented America the best. These video chats every Monday help me learn more about another culture when I do not own a passport to see it all myself! I really enjoy it.

For my media outlet: This is how I feel when we get asked a question. (jokingly)
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/america%20gif

Fatimah Barnawi(blog Marsh25)

In class, we have talked about movies in US and Russia and how it is expensive now to go to the theater for a movie with the food prices. Back home, we do not have a movie theater; but many homes have their own theater (a room prepared with projector and seats almost like the one on theater). we also have talked about careers. In Saudi Arabia, the normal degree people looking to it either a medicine filed, engineers, or education. In my family, it almost all in medical filed. It takes a lot of work and time to be a doctor or in any medicine filed like hear in US, but with fewer amounts of years. In Saudi Arabia, to be a general doctor, it take a 7 year of school but in US it is like 14 years or so since the need 4 year of college before going to a medical school.

This video below shows how we could see 3D movies at home. No more expensive ticket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHxRQNV7iZc

Kelsey Robinson

So I wasn't able to attend this week's video session because of flight cancellations and our team being stuck in California...not a bad place to get stranded. I did though have an interesting encounter with my teammate who is from Sweden. Our conversation relates to the topics we discuss in class and our discussions with the russians. My teammate Cici was telling me that since she has been in America her accent has almost disappeared and she has developed a strong english dialect. In my mind I thought that was good because she does so well at speaking english sometimes you barely know she is from another country. She told me that it is good, but it frustrates her a lot. She explained that when she is in class or around people and doesn't know a word or how to say something they look at her as if she is stupid or just dumb. They don't ever think that maybe she isn't from here or still learning a second language. Most people don't pick up on her accent so in some situations they treat her as if she isn't very smart when in reality she is a biochemical engineer major and incredibly smart. I think that this particular situation is what we are learning about because you can't always put people in certain categories based on what social group or identity you link them to. Different people have different stories and experiences and it's hard for any person let alone someone from another country.

This week’s video link there was a lot more people from Russia, and even one from Germany. The way the conversation went was less about introduction presentations. The topics of movies and career goals were inspire by different introductions. I found it interesting that in both countries movies were both very expensive and students only attend on occasion. Also, the main way people watch movies in the U.S. and in Russia is via the internet. One female from Russia said that they have access to many American films, while I don’t think I have ever seen a Russian film. The other topic was career goals. The professor in Russia said that many students are focused more on money and less on a career that interests them. From the sound of the class it seemed like that is how a majority of the students in America feel as well. Also it was discussed how our generation is very focused on having the latest and greatest gadget in both countries.

Kyle Reikowsky

Abi Sanders

This week in our conversation with the Russian students, we talked a lot about travel, travel expenses and travel safety. I found it interesting how we have similar travel values, but very different modes of transportation, and transportation related stigmas. (such as, Americans are taught never to hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker, and the Russians see it as a very effective and cheap way to have a vacation)

This is evident even when you google "travel" in the american Google website. The entire first page is dominated by travel agencies, airfares, destinations, etc. However, when the same is done on the Russian Google page with the Russian translation, the page is dominated with ways to travel for free, or independently. This shows a distinct difference between the two cultures in reference to travel.

Here are the URLs for "travel" searched in the American Google and Russian Google.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Travel&aq=f&oq=Travel&aqs=chrome.0.57j60j0j59j5j60.21658&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
^English

http://www.google.ru/#newwindow=1&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%88%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8C&oq=%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%88%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8C&gs_l=hp.3..0l4.1316.17266.0.17896.20.14.0.0.0.6.121.820.4j4.8.0...0.4...1c.1.7.psy-ab.nNX9QyXngV4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aWM&fp=b6ca95d0405d8f87&biw=1366&bih=630
^Russian

LeRoy Ford Video Link 3/25

I really enjoyed Mondays session with our international partners. I thought that we talked about a lot of really interesting topics. I was really interested when talking about the different professions that we have here in America and what they have in Russia and we talked about how important different professions are. Also, after I gave my introduction I got really intrigued with the question their professor asked me about what made me want to have such an ambitious dream to be a President of a University?  I guess I’ve just never had to look at my career choice from a different perspective before so hearing from them that they thought that it was a really ambitious dream made me feel really good and confident about my future aspirations. Something else that I found interesting was that in Russia they do not consider medical doctors to be one of their top careers there. That is just different than here in the US because it is a very competitive career to have here and is considered to be well respected. Another topic that we spent some time talking about was movies and specifically America films and Russian films. I’ve never been one to really watch foreign films but I feel like being introduced to it by them then I would actually be more likely to consider doing so.

In regards to our topic on the medical profession in Russia and America I read this article below that talks about the different salaries for this profession in each country.

http://english.pravda.ru/society/stories/18-10-2010/115411-doctors_russia_usa-0/

Whitney Mumm's blog 4

Every day that we have a video link with Russia I learn something new. On Monday, one of the main topics that we talked about was professions. Do we dream bigger or just have different dreams? It is easy to see that what professions are classified as very important there are not as important in the United States and what is important here may not be important in Russia. I thought that it was really interesting how medical doctors are not that important or as popular in Russia. In the United States, it is mostly believed that becoming a medical doctor is one of the best professions a person can get into. When I think of medical doctor I think smart, hard-working, tons of money, and caring. It was a shock to me how they were saying that you do not have to be very smart to become a doctor in Russia. It really makes me wonder how patients are treated there and what kind of technology they have. Are we more advanced than them in the medical career? This is a very interesting topic for me and I plan on doing more research.  I posted a website that has information on medical education in Russia.

http://www.medical-education-in-russia.com/medicaleducationinrussia.htm

Med School in Russia

On Monday, we talked with our partners in Russia again. While talking about career choices, the pre-medical career path came up. Because I am currently pre-med and studying to get into medical school next year, I was very interested to find out about the similarities and differences between America and Russia in this topic. I was surprised to find out that in Russia, medicine is NOT really a desirable career. Many students choose not to pursue it, and the doctors are poorly educated and poorly paid. Overall, it seemed that there are very few students entering the medical field, and their ambivalence and apathy seems to translate into their dedication and work once they become doctors.
I was surprised, because in America, this is pretty much the exact opposite. Becoming a doctor is seen as a highly desirable career choice. Doctors are highly paid, and medical school is hugely competitive. Students have to work very very hard in undergrad, get nearly perfect grades, be over-involved in extracurricular activities, volunteering, shadowing, and get amazing MCAT exam scores. Even with all of that, it's still very difficult to get into medical school.
I found this contrast between our countries very interesting and even a little confusing. I don't know enough about the Russian healthcare system, but I did some research. Apparently a lot of the healthcare system is still in pieces from the time of the USSR. Up until the 90s, healthcare in the Soviet union was a mess, and it is in the process of being reformed, currently. I wonder if this has something to do with the current model of healthcare and the opinions and training of pre-med students. I'd be interested in learning more about healthcare in Russia currently.
-Carissa Vinovskis

A video from an American medical school:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLT9SBypzpw

American Movies. Ulli Heinicke

I really enjoyed the exchange and conversation this Monday! One thing we talked about was movies and movie theaters in the USA and in Russia. I had a little different reaction to the conversation than my fellow classmates. Many were surprised that American movies are common in Russia. So, I was more surprised about you being surprised than I was about the fact that the movie scene in Russia is very Americanized. In Germany it is pretty much the same and it is normal to me that most of the movies we watch are from the USA. Hollywood plays a big role in our film landscape and for a long time German movies were not popular, because they just could not compete with movies that have a multi-million dollar budget since we are a smaller country and therefore the movie will not make as much profit as it can in a big country like the US. There are many other differences, but I think this is a big one. I am glad though that in the past years the German movie production scene has grown and we come up with quite good productions now. Even though the majority of movies we have in the theatres are still American.

So, this week I learned more about in the cultural exchange with the US rather than with Russia which was interesting. And in general it was a good exchange of different view points and mindsets by clarifying stereotypes without generalizing.

Here is a list of movies that are shown in German theaters right now. You can see the majority are American (the titles are often changed, but you can see on the pictures which movie it is): http://www.cinestar.de/de/kino/berlin-cinestar-cubix-am-alexanderplatz/kinoprogramm

Dubbed German Lincoln Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_FdBUL_YrY

Ulli Heinicke

Hannah Coatney, Video Link #4

This week’s classroom with Russia focused on films. What was slightly surprising to learn was that both the U.S. and Russia have expensive ticket prices.  What I found interesting, but not surprising, was when they mentioned that a lot of the films they have there are American films. I think it is another reminder about the influence that the United States’ culture and media can and does have around the world. The article below this explains how Russian film was closely monitored for 60 years after Stalin took power, and had to show an approved image of Socialist regime, which may be why very few of their films are known to Americans. However, it also mentions that a new genre of film is appearing in Russia: Parallel Cinema, which is supposed to be a symbol to the fall of the Soviet system. America has gone through different phases of film genres throughout the past hundred years to also symbolize political occurrences, such as the increased comedy films released during and after World War II, and even anti-War films.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/04/13/vbs.russian.parallel.cinema/index.html?iref=allsearch

Evan Hummel: Russian Video-link March 25

I thought the video-link this week was very interesting.  Our discussion about American aspirations and Russian aspirations was quite informative.  The discussion about how American's are perceived around the world is a different perspective.  It seems that we did agree that our culture is focused too much on material things, however I think they realized not all American's have those same values.  I hope to continue this discussion in next weeks video-link.  Below I've put a link to a video that shows, what the American dream could be, since it applies to our discussion

-Evan Hummel

Wanna Go To The Movies?

In today's discussion, we talked a lot about movies. The question was raised by Russia if movie theatres were still popular in the United States. I believe that they still are. It is nice to watch movies at home, but sometimes it is great to make a night of it and go out to a theatre. It is also nice that movie theatres have the best popcorn, and any other snack or bevereage imaginable! It makes going to the movies fun. Where I live, going to a movie is around seven dollars. I will pay that much to see a movie because after all, its about the same price as dinner at McDonalds and I always get so much enjoyment out of it-- especially with friends. Even if i can see a movie for free elsewhere, its worth the price to get out of the house and spend time in a different environment.

I found it interesting that when we were discussing movies, both the U.S. and Russia had the movie Lincoln. I included a link to one of the previews because I haven't seen the move yet, but it looks really good and hopefully it tells a little bit about our American history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJVuqYkI2jQ

Thanks!

Sarah

Russian introductions-- Ann Magnuson

      I really enjoyed learning about the two Russian students that showed their presentations Monday! I noticed they were a bit nervous which is how I felt the first day and will probably feel when I give my presentation. For some reason, it's really uncomfortable for us to present ourselves in a powerpoint to other people. I mean, we are constantly "presenting" ourselves to the world, but to actually say, "Well, this is my name.. on the screen... and that there is a picture of me with my family.... at Olive Garden." is just a really unfamiliar way for us to introduce ourselves. But it's okay that it's awkward because we all feel awkward :)

Ann Magnuson

Russian vs. American Education?

I loved seeing some of Russia's introductions on Monday! I expected them to be interested in totally different things than we are interested in, but I found we have many similarities. I thought it was so funny when a Russian student commented on how lively Miss. Utah was and how tired the rest of us looked! Ironically, I was probably the one about to pass out-- and I was in the front row! The Russians also seemed very interested, practically in awe of Miss. Utah's academic acheivements. I wonder how many Russian students go beyond getting thier bachelor's degree, and go on to get a master's, or even a doctorate. While a doctorate may be pretty impressive in America, many people that attend a 4-year university go on to earn thier master's degree-- and for many it is practically a requirement for thier major. It seems like today in America, one must have a master's degree in order to be noticed by a possible employer. I wonder if it is like that for Russia, or if they have different standards when it comes to education. Hopefully I can ask this question next time we meet with them after Spring Break!

-Sarah

Below is a link that I found to be interesting. On this website there is a chart of the education system in Russia!

http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/worldtvetdatabase1.php?ct=RUS

Social media-Lauren Andrews

Hello!

So I could not find how to blog and I was thinking that the date of the prompt on Blackboard was from the week earlier. Although that is not an excuse, that is my reasoning for posting my blog right now.

I think there are major pros and some cons of social media and communication. Social media provides for a strong sense of non-verbal communication and that sends stronger messages to receiver more than verbal communication. Social media is also a pro because it lets us keep in touch with friends and see what people are up to. It provides a great sense of interaction between social groups because it has made it easier to communicate through the means of facebook to coordinate meeting times, ideas, and prepare for when to meet up. It also works as a way of branding yourself, a product, and just all around meeting and understanding others. Relating social media to this class, it can bring cultures together by chatting, and the use of pictures/comments/likes to understand another culture. Social media is a means of learning and branding.

I am a huge social media junkie, so to me, there are not many cons about it. One thing that might not be the best thing is the lack of privacy for social media users. Now-a-days, people are often "googled" before job interviews, and "creeped" on with their social media sites before they might even get offered an interview. In Nebraska, they are trying to pass a law where that is not right to judge someone based off of their social media. Although I think that it gives people a one-up when applying if they have good social media.

For those of you with poor social media sites, (for example, bad pictures, underage drinking, bad words, etc.) here is a website to help you clean up your act :)

http://mashable.com/2013/03/10/simplewash/

Technology, media and social groups-- Ann Magnuson

     As types of media and technology have developed, a vast number of ways to successfully communicate between different social groups on a global scale has evolved. Technology and media have allowed productive communication because they have allowed communication. Before their development, there was little any communication besides letters or horse and buggy. Now, the world is a smaller place because it's more accessible. This is beneficial because it lessens the discrepancy between groups. Presidents, dictators, world leaders are able to communicate and understand one another rather than assume the other's intentions or next move. In some ways, technology and media have allowed negative interactions between groups such as threats or signs of disrespect which may lead to intergroup conflict.

Ann Magnuson

Blog #3 Chris Nelson

The way technology has advanced in the past few decades is truly astonishing. Just less than 50 years ago, emailing did not exist, social networking did not exist, and the internet was resting in the shadows, just waiting to spring into action. We have gone from land-line phones, to cell phones as big as a brick, to razor-thin cell phones, to phones that allow us to surf the internet while being able to talk to someone at the same time. Truly, technology is a fascinating part of life and it has changed the way communication is done nowadays. Today, it is much simpler to find a common interest group, especially on the web compared to the before times. It is easier to track what is more 'in' compared to what is not based on simple counters such as webpage hits. While it may be much more convenient to communicate behind the screen of a computer or phone, it is not the same as direct communication, as in sitting down in front of or next to someone and conversing with them that way. No matter the case, it is how most forms of communication take place, and the convenience that technology offers to us will not be going away anytime soon.

Fatimah Barnawi, Blog3

Media played a major role in interaction between cultures. It is the gage for people to know the world around their society. People take the impression about how other people talk, act, interact, and live their every day life through media. Taking the information about other societies from media has some benefits, as will consequences. Some of the benefits might be giving a bright thought about the world around them and what their politic and society look like, learning about other people values and culture, learn a new language, make the whole world as a one land. On the other hand, media make some generalization and stereotyping about other societies and that thought could be holed for generation and passed to the next one with out giving a chance for that society to defined them-selves with either accepting that idea or regret it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIiGJkCLQVE

LeRoy Ford

When we hear people say technology is taking over, I really believe it sometimes. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I am thankful for and embrace all of the advantages that come along with this ever changing technological world. With all of the new advancements that continue to come out this technology is a tremendous benefit when it comes to interaction with other social groups. The fact that we can community via cider chat with people from halfway across the world is phenomenal. This allows us to interact with people we would probably never have the opportunity to interact with. Technology and media has so many pros to helping us to interact with others. Some of the benefits are as follows; we can essentially be in the same place as someone who is thousands of miles away, it allows us to communicate with those in which we may never had the opportunity otherwise, and it lets us stay connected with global issues. The fact that we can get news from what's happening in countries that's oceans away makes technology a huge advantage. In my opinion there really aren't many cons to technology. About the only thing I can think of is that it last face to face interaction with others. But I feel like having video and being able to see others will talking with them thousands of miles away make up for it. Below is a video to explain a little more the pros and cons of technology, its a little long but I think it illustrates it well.

Kelsey Robinson

I think social media has bridged the gap between different social groups immensely. It sounds bad, but people find it easier to communicate behind a computer screen. Most people feel like they can say anything which can be a good or bad thing. I think most people are willing to say things that are one their mind through social media than they would in person. Twitter is one of those devices that allows people to speak their mind. You can post videos or blogs or anything you want and people can comment or respond to you. I think it allows people to see what other people belonging to different social groups are doing. They can see how those people are similar to them in some way and allows people to get along over something they probably didn't realize they had in common. The problem with twitter is again people can say what they want and get away with it for the most part because they are behind a screen. This allows for conflict to happen between social groups as well. I think instagram is another version of this only with pictures. You can follow someone and see what they are doing or what they are like. It helps to connect people and their social groups. I think by "liking" someone's photo that is a way to bridge the gap. It just shows different people that they have common ground.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRBoPveyETc

The youtube video is perfect for showing the pros and cons of social media; mainly twitter.

Blog 3 Abi Sanders

Technology and media have created this really fascinating little nook for productive interaction between social groups in that groups, who have never and would otherwise never meet each other can interact and learn from the other in a more intimate setting than a textbook. Certain pros to this being better social tolerance, immediate or nearly immediate contact and communication, and a certain clarity and clarification that would be otherwise impossible. Cons do however exist in the form of awkward pauses in conversation due to a lack of understanding, cultural tension from historical events in the far past, or near past, also the possibility of faulty communications networks due to some sort of hole in the line.

Examples of these sorts of media or technology are as simply as news stories, botched news stories, or teleconferences between small groups. Another example is social networking websites, the internet itself and how quickly news spreads throughout the world.
http://news.yahoo.com/russian-scientists-may-found-life-under-antarctic-ice-181834535.html;_ylt=AhyrTq3EfiUPpZn_vhkmHZ4PLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTNybzEzdTFxBG1pdANNZWdhdHJvbiBTY2llbmNlU0YEcGtnAzJkNWE4ZWJhLTE5YzUtMzdiNC1iNjBiLTEwMGUxMzcyZTBlYgRwb3MDMQRzZWMDbWVnYXRyb24EdmVyA2VlODIyYzgxLTg3NTMtMTFlMi05N2ZmLTkwY2FhODY4Yzc1Nw--;_ylg=X3oDMTIzcjdyNGhvBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANzY2llbmNlBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QDVGVzdF9BRkM-;_ylv=3

Aaron Svoboda - Post #3

The advancements in media and technology have greatly increased the rate at which other social groups can interact by making it much more convenient and accessible thing to do in one’s daily life. Thanks to the internet we now can meet new people from around the world every day and talk with and learn from them about their day to day life and culture. Before in the past you would literally have to travel to other parts of the globe to learn from the people in a specific culture or social group directly, or read about it in a book. I myself meet people daily on the internet from the many different video games I play. There are some cons to this ease of access though. One con for technology in communication is it eliminates the need to meet people face to face, and all though you can learn much over the phone, or computer, there is no substation for meeting a person in real life, and seeing their world in person.

Hannah Coatney, Blog Post #3

This class is a great example for how media is creating productive interaction. Although we have only had two video links, I think we all could agree that we have found some definite similarities and differences that none of us would have found on our own. It’s a great way to reach out to not only different social groups but different cultures, and very quickly find a common ground from which even greater interaction is possible. On a smaller scale, websites such as Facebook can also open us up to interaction to different social groups we may never have the chance to encounter in person. However, there is a large possibility of negative bias that can be seen in the media. Take for example FOX News, and their bias during the Iraq War. While such widely viewed news site should maintain a fairly impartial stance, many people complained about their blatant pro-war stance. Such a negative stance on different cultures can lead to increased stereotypes, and not only lead to unproductive interaction, but little to no interaction at all.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2003/jun/19/iraq.iraqandthemedia

Technology and Communication - Blog 3

As talked about with our video interaction with Russia technology is becoming a bigger contributor to education. Beginning able to interact with professors online has created more of a convenience for students but also a setback to getting to know your professors. Online classes are becoming more common since it creates such a flexible schedule. Our videos with Russia provide a great way to communicate that allows for instant answers and a more personal level of interaction since we have face to face interaction via the web. In high school there are some classes that you can do this with other towns for taking a course so it’s not only effecting colleges but high schools as well, allowing students to further their education. Besides education, technology has majorly affected how social groups interact and even more so individuals of social groups greatly. I am providing an article that talks about the pros and cons of technology and relationships. I find this very interesting since it correlates to a series on Mtv called Catfish about relationships created online. I also provided a trailer to Catfish as an example. I think this is becoming more of a norm between social groups and shows just how much technology effects interaction these days between friends, family, and now finding relationships.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201006/the-effect-technology-relationships

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMA4x7aXJT0

Elizabeth Brugman