In my previous entries, I’ve said I’m determined to learn from the MBA students I’m teaching while in Armenia. So far, I’ve garnered a few insights that might be of interest to you, too…
Acting collectively has its merits. – OK, collective answer-sharing during tests (which frequently happens) is not good. But you have to admire the principle behind the students’ actions. They share a sense of responsibility for helping out the weakest link. Whereas my U.S. students compete for grades, my class here readily shares notes, books and case studies …. even if it impinges on their own studying time.
Books and paper are precious. …. Most of my students cannot afford $150 textbooks. So, they share (see above), read in the library or make copies of key chapters. But even the copied chapters are costly, so these, too, are passed around. Frankly, my students are shocked by the way Americans mangle their expensive educational materials. The box of used texts I brought from my U.S. campus was received with a tinge of horror. “Who rips pages and writes in these expensive books?” they asked as they thumbed through the tattered texts that were less than a year old.
Skepticism can be healthy. …. I will admit that after having presented my class with scores of examples of smart, highly effective public relations campaigns, I am becoming a bit tired of comments like “that’s just propaganda.” Yet, these students …. born at the end of the Soviet era …. are understandably wary of most marketing and public relations claims. They challenge messaging that has even the slightest scent of insincerity or corporate greed.
Female empowerment is global and exciting. …. Most of my MBA class is female. Twenty years ago, this would not have been the case. Aware that they are part of a new generation of empowered women, my female students are eager to learn – and equally eager to earn. Watching them enter the workforce will be thrilling.
The whole world doesn’t want to be American. …. Americans abroad tend to think everyone wants to be like them. (Just look at all the blue jeans on the streets!) The truth is, while our culture is pervasive, we are not loved. And we are definitely not envied, especially during this time of economic melt-down. National pride runs very deep in most countries …. Americans need to learn and respect this simple fact.
Real connections are always best. …. With dial-up the most prevalent Internet connection, most of my students don’t spend their lives with their noses in their laptops. They connect via traditional media …. simple human conversations. As a result, their relationships are clearly stronger. Women …. and sometimes men — greet each other with kisses and hugs. They actually enjoy each others’ company.
On Monday, we are starting our social networking segment of class. While my students take notes, so will I. I’m eager to get their perspective on the topic.
In a day of pervasive social media (at least here in the States) we’d all be better off to remember that “real connections are always best”.
Susan, thanks for the post. You make some great points.
I do take exception to a couple of those points. The first being you statement that American’s abroad tend to think everyone wants to be them. While some do, I do not think most do. There are always people from every country that think they are the best. When you learn to except and enjoy the differences, you have a much better time. So please don’t put us all in one bucket.
The second point was the inference that because we have broadband we have somehow lost our ability to connect on a personal level. Because we have broadband we can use the Web more. Once other countries catch up people in those countries will also spend as much time as we do on the web. Just because we like social networks online doesn’t mean we don’t have personal relationships. There are plenty of hugs and kisses going on in the United States.
Susan, thanks for the post. You make some great points.
I do take exception to a couple of those points. The first being you statement that American’s abroad tend to think everyone wants to be them. While some do, I do not think most do. There are always people from every country that think they are the best. When you learn to except and enjoy the differences, you have a much better time. So please don’t put us all in one bucket.
The second point was the inference that because we have broadband we have somehow lost our ability to connect on a personal level. Because we have broadband we can use the Web more. Once other countries catch up people in those countries will also spend as much time as we do on the web. Just because we like social networks online doesn’t mean we don’t have personal relationships. There are plenty of hugs and kisses going on in the United States.
Definitely interesting insight coming from students overseas. I too have realized many things from my world travels too – especially the not wanting to be American part… that is a common sentiment among many other countries.
Susan,
Great insight in your post.
As a person living outside America sometimes I have sometimes felt that the world was a little too American centric.
Will be great to see how things play out over the next few years with a new government and the recovery from the current financial crisis
I love the way your students don’t just accept anything as gospel because sometimes we can all be a bit gullible when it comes to being marketed too, particularly if some one has touched an emotional trigger in us!!
Susan, at least AUA students can afford $150 books. The shock about writing in the book was not because it was expensive but because in Armenia people traditionally have had a great respect for all kinds of books as opposed to some of your American students.
Susan, you make some good points. I will take a bold to reflect on some of them:
1) Acting collectively has its merits – True. I am surprised you haven’t found it in the USA. North American universities have strong emphasis on team working. At least, the ones where I have studied and where I work. I am sure you know it from your own experience; it is a challenge here too. Btw, my observations show that American students value sharing more than competing. Well, the majority of them, at least.
2) Books and paper are precious. …. True, but for reasons other than you had mentioned. It is not a matter of “expensiveness”, but again, a cultural attitude. Armenians have respect to a book as a source of knowledge and wisdom.
3) Skepticism can be healthy. – True. As an educator I always encourage my students to question everything and not to take words spoken during the class as a universal truth. This is, in my humble opinion, one part of an educator’s job description. Of course, it is a challenge, but I am surprised that you find it tiring.
4) Female empowerment is global and exciting. …. True again. I just hope you don’t think this is a result of American Education only. Btw, FYI, Armenians always valued the education. Hence, the eagerness to learn. As about eagerness to earn …. Armenian women always were comrades to their men and always were equal contributors to the family budget. I am not even talking about the Soviet Era, that you criticize so much, when gender discrimination was not as profound as it was in the USA in the same period of time.
5) The whole world doesn’t want to be American …. True. I am surprised that a scholar like you is surprised by this simple fact. I am surprised even more because I would assume you went to Armenia to get exposed to something new, to be acquainted traditions and lifestyle that is different from American one. So, why are you so upset not to find Halloween celebration in a country that has different history and culture? I hope you are not too upset without Golden Arcs.
My final suggestion would be …. follow your own seemingly wise observations, please. Having a “pleasure” to read your other comments in other blogs of yours, that are blocked/withdrawn/changed/edited for some reason now (any idea why?) I would suggest, Do not present people outside the USA (no matter, Armenians or anyone else) as poor aborigines from miserable developing countries you came to enlighten about Batman and Halloween. Just a thought. Enjoy your stay in Yerevan. It is a wonderful city that embraces those who open their hearts for it.
Anahit,
As a member of the aboriginal community, I am highly offended by your intolerance.
Leroy,
I did not mean to offend anyone’s feelings. In this case I used the term “aboriginal community” to refer to Armenian citizens who live in Armenia. And I have seen many foreigners who come to Armenia and think that it is inferior only because some values and standards of their own countries are not found in my country. Believe me, I would be happy to find that I made a mistake by perceiving the author of the article as one of those people.