Immigrants’ children differ from children which born and live in their own country. They extremely need parent’s support, but they often have to support their parents. Sometimes they experience lack of confidence and worried about their parents’ helplessness.
Eva is a Jewish girl born in Poland who immigrated to Canada at age thirteen. Elizabeth is Chinese born in America. Both Eva and Elizabeth grow up in immigrant’s families, where parents don’t assimilate into the host cultures. Both of them are the oldest children in their families. Both Eva and Elizabeth have siblings who often are inadequate towards parents. Eva’s mother can’t accept to the norms of the new reality. Likewise, Elizabeth’s mother can’t get used to the conditions of the host country. Eva pities her mother when her sister challenges mother’s authority. Similarly, Elizabeth sympathizes with her mother when her brother rudely criticizes their mother’s English. Eva suffers because she feels distraction and uncertainty of her mother and Elizabeth does too. Eva is a mediator between her family and outside world, as Elizabeth.
Eva tries to adapt to the host country. She embraces norms of behaviour in Canada. Likewise, Elizabeth accepts the norms of American life. Eva feels her belonging to the
Canadian culture as Elizabeth feels her belonging to the American culture. Eva becomes Canadian, but she doesn’t release her roots. Similarly, Elizabeth thinks of herself as multicultural. She is American, but she can‘t ignore her Chinese background.
World views of both Eva and Elizabeth form from two different cultures. I think this experience will help them in their adult life.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Atissa Gerami: Military
Military service is mandatory in certain countries. The proponents state that it offers many benefits to young people; however, there are those who argue otherwise. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the mandatory military service? What is your personal position on this issue?
Military service has an important role in some countries. Although the proponent states that it has many benefits to young people many of people don’t accept this, so Mandatory Service has advantages and disadvantages.
Military service has an important role in some countries. Although the proponent states that it has many benefits to young people many of people don’t accept this, so Mandatory Service has advantages and disadvantages.
Military Services have some advantages. At first, military service teaches young people to be patriotic; moreover they learn how to love their countries and respect the national rules. In addition, they learn how to make great decisions, and be more responsible; therefore, they are sharper and they learn how to respect rules and the others; for example, sometimes in whole life people have to make great decisions that can be very important. Moreover, they teach them to be independent; as a matter of fact, by these abilities they can support their families in the feather.
However, there are some disadvantages of the mandatory military service; sometimes, they have to participate in war, and this is very hard and difficult both mentally and physically; as a matter of fact, being in war is horrible especially for young; in addition, their families are worried about their children which can affect on whole family. War can affect their personalities, so they can not behave in a right way. Moreover, the government would be charged. It is a big financial burden on society. For example, we can see the effects of the war between United State of America and Vietnam.
Consequently, in my opinion mandatory and obligation is not accepted and these services must be chosen by people, forcing and pushing them for every reason can make them angry, and they do not behave as well as they do .
Maryam Karami: Military Service
Any mandatory issues in human’s life look mostly unpleasant, but not necessarily all of them are useless. Even mandatory duties could bring us such delightful memories that no other time or situation could, but it could be reverse, too. Based on this idea, mandatory military service in some countries has both bright sides and dark sides.
Mandatory military service is beneficial in some ways. First of all, the military service has positive personal. Wordy, a soldier serving in the military learns to be more responsible and organized in his life. There are rules that teach every soldier to be disciplined in their lives. The other good point is the difficult trainings and staying far from comfortable home environment and close friends provides a tough situation that automatically gives them stronger personality and self-steam. Secondly, military has positive social effects. The positive social effects diverge to two main views; for example, in case of war a trained army would be needed in any society to protect the country and people. Also, in some emergencies a trained group of soldiers could help efficiently, like earth quakes, fire or any other disasters.
However, mandatory military service has negative effects in some points too. First, one of the personal disadvantages is that there is no little income for the person who serves in the military. The other one is the period of life time that is spent in this way could be used to be trained in a desirable profession. Secondly, the dark side of such duties can affect on the society. One of the major issues is that the young group of the society, who have to serve the military, sometimes gets a very negative and aggressive attitude toward government that puts social security in danger. The other one is that the government has to assign a noticeable budget to train and keep a large group of soldiers during their mandatory service period.
Despite the advantages, in my opinion, mandatory military service is necessary. It is important to be ready in order to defend the country and also in any widespread or sever situation. It is going to be too late to gather and train groups if needs come, yet considering the importance of each person’s life, mandatory military service has to be short in time and paid for reasonably.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Marjan Kiany: Travel
“How travel changed my life” by Frommer is an article about the travel experiences of the author. Mr. Frommer achieved these experiences by traveling for more than forty years to hundred countries. He traveled to southern Africa, Amsterdam, Hong Kong and some other countries. He perceived people live after their own fashion, but these fashions are somehow similar to other countries. Also, the Village of idiots is a NFB film which exhibited a story about a man who was thirsty to be knowledgeable about the world. On the way he loses his way and returns to his city by mistake. He thinks that he had arrived in a new city .Therefore, when he sees the style of people’s life, he thinks everywhere in the world is the same. How travel changed my life and village of idiots have some similarities and contradictions.
These two stories are similar in two points. The lessons they learned from their travels can be the similarity of their experiences. We are all responsible for one another is one of the lessons. In Frommers’ story, people celebrate together without caring about the religious differences. In Village of idiots, people participate in a couple’s marriage ceremony to make them happy. We are all alike is another lesson. By reading the article and the film, we perceive that everybody has his or her own concern. In How travel changed my life, Frommer met two Japanese parents who were concerned about their kid’s teacher. In the movie, parent’s concern was their kid’s fighting.
On the other hand, there are two contradictions between “How travel changed my life” and “The village of idiots”. Their approaches are different. In How travel changed my life Frommer travelled around the world to have good understanding of other parts of the world. In Village of idiots, Schmendrik saw just his own city from another view point. In addition, in Frommers’ story, he faced with different people from different nationalities. In The village of idiots, Schmendrik met his own people. Moreover, their achievements are different. Frommer was more knowledgeable than Schmendrik. Schmendrik was not wise enough even to choose the right way; he could not realize that so many similarities are questionable.
Consequently, the point of view of Frommer is different from Schmendrik. He saw people with other nationalities whose actions are similar. He becomes mature by seeing the differences besides similarities. Schmendrik did not achieve maturity. He just realizes the similarities. Everybody can trust Frommer experiences, for he had real experiences. It is obvious when somebody travels a lot, he or she gains more experiences.
These two stories are similar in two points. The lessons they learned from their travels can be the similarity of their experiences. We are all responsible for one another is one of the lessons. In Frommers’ story, people celebrate together without caring about the religious differences. In Village of idiots, people participate in a couple’s marriage ceremony to make them happy. We are all alike is another lesson. By reading the article and the film, we perceive that everybody has his or her own concern. In How travel changed my life, Frommer met two Japanese parents who were concerned about their kid’s teacher. In the movie, parent’s concern was their kid’s fighting.
On the other hand, there are two contradictions between “How travel changed my life” and “The village of idiots”. Their approaches are different. In How travel changed my life Frommer travelled around the world to have good understanding of other parts of the world. In Village of idiots, Schmendrik saw just his own city from another view point. In addition, in Frommers’ story, he faced with different people from different nationalities. In The village of idiots, Schmendrik met his own people. Moreover, their achievements are different. Frommer was more knowledgeable than Schmendrik. Schmendrik was not wise enough even to choose the right way; he could not realize that so many similarities are questionable.
Consequently, the point of view of Frommer is different from Schmendrik. He saw people with other nationalities whose actions are similar. He becomes mature by seeing the differences besides similarities. Schmendrik did not achieve maturity. He just realizes the similarities. Everybody can trust Frommer experiences, for he had real experiences. It is obvious when somebody travels a lot, he or she gains more experiences.
Lynn Son: Stereotypes
We live in a global village and could be friends without conditions with an open mind. However, we sometimes tend to hesitate because of an article from internet, or magazine, and etc. Even though what we learn may not be true, there is nothing that says that it isn’t. This is what makes us eventually inflexible, and we keep what we call a “Stereotype.”. But what really causes stereotypes? There are many causes of stereotypes, but the main and important ones are the standardization of images and the mass media.
First of all, standardized images are big causes of stereotypes. They are very inflexible. Inflexibility is not a good for understanding of uniqueness. Stereotypes make us ignore uniqueness. They also create dogmatism in us. Prejudice causes stereotypes in us. We have prejudice about ethnic, sexual, religious groups. We sometimes lack diversity among us, so we tend to refuse experience and acceptance. Standardized images blind us.
Mass media is another cause of stereotypes. Often, parodies are based on multiculturalism. Comedians tell jokes, not the truth. In movies like “Remember the Titans” the people in the same town live dividedly depending on their skin colour. Also, in the movie “I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry”, there are people who tend to discriminate homosexuality. These movies teach us not to have stereotypes. Cynicisms make us take bias. What we learn from cynicism becomes the base of our thinking. The mass media is only so big. We usually take in everything we read or learn in the mass media, unless we know it is false. Mass media is probably the biggest and strongest provider of information, however, that is why it is so dangerous.
In my opinion, stereotypes are bad. It is so easy to become stereotypical, but it so hard to become not stereotypical. That is because when we meet new people, we start off with stereotypes, not fresh. Stereotypes are inflexible. The mass media supports stereotypes. The mass media is big, and carries stereotypical information. Do you feel different about your neighbors? It is good if you do.
First of all, standardized images are big causes of stereotypes. They are very inflexible. Inflexibility is not a good for understanding of uniqueness. Stereotypes make us ignore uniqueness. They also create dogmatism in us. Prejudice causes stereotypes in us. We have prejudice about ethnic, sexual, religious groups. We sometimes lack diversity among us, so we tend to refuse experience and acceptance. Standardized images blind us.
Mass media is another cause of stereotypes. Often, parodies are based on multiculturalism. Comedians tell jokes, not the truth. In movies like “Remember the Titans” the people in the same town live dividedly depending on their skin colour. Also, in the movie “I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry”, there are people who tend to discriminate homosexuality. These movies teach us not to have stereotypes. Cynicisms make us take bias. What we learn from cynicism becomes the base of our thinking. The mass media is only so big. We usually take in everything we read or learn in the mass media, unless we know it is false. Mass media is probably the biggest and strongest provider of information, however, that is why it is so dangerous.
In my opinion, stereotypes are bad. It is so easy to become stereotypical, but it so hard to become not stereotypical. That is because when we meet new people, we start off with stereotypes, not fresh. Stereotypes are inflexible. The mass media supports stereotypes. The mass media is big, and carries stereotypical information. Do you feel different about your neighbors? It is good if you do.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Lynn Son: The Internet
There is now something called INTERNET. The internet is as bad as it is good. It has been one of the biggest modern technologies in our life. When it came out several decades ago, people were enthusiastic about the potential of internet and it has been regarded as a magic. Most of the people living in the present use it, because it is fast and it carries a lot of information. It has brought positive changes in our lives; however, there are these who believe it has changed our lives for the worse. Nowadays people who are attracted to the internet confront harmful environment. They would accept any information without judgment.
These are ways of the Internet has improved our life. First of all, it gives us information. We can get and share new knowledge from web sites such as GOOGLE and YAHOO. It brings us up to date with not only the latest news but also our needs. Another advantage of the internet is convenience. It is the greatest access to information. It is also very portable. You could access internet with cell phone, palm and net book whenever and wherever. It has another advantage of speed and saving the time. You do not have to go outside to do your shopping. Instead you can go the internet and look for your favorite products. However, the internet, like everything else has its own flaw on the pearl.
There may be some advantages in the internet. The Internet causes people to be isolated from the society and cuts off relationship. It makes people hermits and loses humanity. Another problem is Internet addiction. Also they become addicted it. They feel like they need to use the Internet everyday to survive. Our lives could be center around the Internet just like our daily meals and rests. It has another downside. Even without proven information, it could spread as quickly as fire; the internet users accept the information without a second thought. It influences people to believe nonsense rumors as if it really exists.
As a result the internet has its positives and negatives. It depends on how you use it. It could make us social hermits or it could be an unreliable library. As well, we cannot imagine our lives without modern technology such as the internet with a capacity of information. What kind of user would you prefer to be? How about we have a right judgment and try to filter harmful information when we use it.
These are ways of the Internet has improved our life. First of all, it gives us information. We can get and share new knowledge from web sites such as GOOGLE and YAHOO. It brings us up to date with not only the latest news but also our needs. Another advantage of the internet is convenience. It is the greatest access to information. It is also very portable. You could access internet with cell phone, palm and net book whenever and wherever. It has another advantage of speed and saving the time. You do not have to go outside to do your shopping. Instead you can go the internet and look for your favorite products. However, the internet, like everything else has its own flaw on the pearl.
There may be some advantages in the internet. The Internet causes people to be isolated from the society and cuts off relationship. It makes people hermits and loses humanity. Another problem is Internet addiction. Also they become addicted it. They feel like they need to use the Internet everyday to survive. Our lives could be center around the Internet just like our daily meals and rests. It has another downside. Even without proven information, it could spread as quickly as fire; the internet users accept the information without a second thought. It influences people to believe nonsense rumors as if it really exists.
As a result the internet has its positives and negatives. It depends on how you use it. It could make us social hermits or it could be an unreliable library. As well, we cannot imagine our lives without modern technology such as the internet with a capacity of information. What kind of user would you prefer to be? How about we have a right judgment and try to filter harmful information when we use it.
Lynn Son: Private Schools
The private schools have been desired by not only students who are curious about new and diversified contents, but also parents who want their children to have academic challenges and varieties. There are some attractive reasons which make people willing to attend the private school. The private schools have both advantages and disadvantages.
This is advantage of the private schools. For one thing, its philosophy of education is noticeable. It respects each and every student’s uniqueness as individuals. The private school students can choose freely their interests and develop individually. They also have more chance to know as much as they need because of its method of teaching. They learn one by one and step by step depending on their ability, although non private schools students learn in groups all at once. Other advantages of the private schools are academic challenges. It has diverse curriculums. It teaches academic skills as well entertainments, such as art, music and more experiment with science. The students in the private schools have more opportunities of playing musical instrument and experiences.
However, it has disadvantages. The numbers of students in private schools are limited. Students in average families could hardly get opportunities, because of its tuition. This is exceedingly high for average families. Furthermore, it has other disadvantages of the lack of real life and social environment. The students in the private schools do not have enough chance to get along with the less fortunate. They could be less aware of social environment and what is happing around world.
In my opinion, the private schools have advantages and disadvantages. I could not say it is ideal for your children and my children. Also I am neither passionate nor dissatisfied about it. Are you interested applying for these educational advantages even if it has these risks? These benefits might encourage you accept to it or disadvantages discourge you not to accept it.
This is advantage of the private schools. For one thing, its philosophy of education is noticeable. It respects each and every student’s uniqueness as individuals. The private school students can choose freely their interests and develop individually. They also have more chance to know as much as they need because of its method of teaching. They learn one by one and step by step depending on their ability, although non private schools students learn in groups all at once. Other advantages of the private schools are academic challenges. It has diverse curriculums. It teaches academic skills as well entertainments, such as art, music and more experiment with science. The students in the private schools have more opportunities of playing musical instrument and experiences.
However, it has disadvantages. The numbers of students in private schools are limited. Students in average families could hardly get opportunities, because of its tuition. This is exceedingly high for average families. Furthermore, it has other disadvantages of the lack of real life and social environment. The students in the private schools do not have enough chance to get along with the less fortunate. They could be less aware of social environment and what is happing around world.
In my opinion, the private schools have advantages and disadvantages. I could not say it is ideal for your children and my children. Also I am neither passionate nor dissatisfied about it. Are you interested applying for these educational advantages even if it has these risks? These benefits might encourage you accept to it or disadvantages discourge you not to accept it.
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