Yes it is true…we are only one click away on our mouse from experience our world. Thanks to the use of the web it no longer takes hours to research about another country and or culture. We can view millions of beautiful sites from around the world in just one hour, or even in 60 seconds. We can find out about what is good to eat, what countries are great to visit and what to expect if we were to go visit there. No more big heavy lonely planet books to carry around! It’s amazing how much we can learn about another culture just from taking the time to browse the net and read about life in another culture.

Although the experience of learning about another culture over the net might not be as dramatic or as impacting as being there in person to experience the smells, the nature, the people, the food and the atmosphere, it can be just as exciting when it is all so unfamiliar to us. However, thanks to events like Mosaic, which takes place in Regina this weekend, we who are unable to travel around the world to experience these things are able to do so right here in our own backyard. If you have never experienced something like Mosaic in our own city or community I suggest you check it out or start something up like it in your own community! Events like Mosaic give us the opportunity to connect with our community and experience the diversity of cultures and peoples who live right next door to us! This type of event builds respect and an appreciation for anothers background and culture. I remember when I was younger we did an ice show called, around the world in 60 seconds. Now you have to understand I did several ice shows when I was younger, maybe close to 7, but the one that always sticks out in my mind was this particular ice show. I think the reason for this is because I was given the opportunity to learn more about India and the types of dance in India. We were taught off ice how to do East Indian dances and then did it on ice. It was a great experience and I still have my beautiful green saree.

I think experiences such as these and Mosaic are important for us teachers to take part in. They help us gain a better understanding of the culture and backgrounds of our students. These types of experiences can also help us gain insight into what it may be like for our immigrant students who come from a whole different world than ours. It can also assist in creating and planning engaging activities centered on diversity and the cultures in and around our city and our world!

Please share with me some unique events or experiences you have had in regards to experiencing another culture, whether it be from traveling or just taking part in a great cultural experience! I would love to hear all about it!

“As the soil, however rich it may be, cannot be productive without cultivation, so the mind without culture can never produce good fruit.”

Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD