World Views
World views have been shaped by intercultural experiences both at home and abroad. To learn more about the colors of our world, please join our Executive Director on a virtual vacation to the places, people, and experiences that have shaped the development and perspective of Co-Culture Solutions, LLC.
United States As a child growing up in an African American neighborhood, taking Chinese lessons, and attending a Japanese weekly church service, I learned early on what it was like and what it could be like to live in a multicultural society.
Costa Rica Life in Costa Rica taught me the importance of community. After I had developed solid relationships and trust with the community, I was only then able to collaboratively build programs that the local community wanted, needed, and respected.
Nicaragua What is more important-starting the meeting on time or waiting for everyone to arrive? In Nicaragua my meetings started 30-45 minutes late, when all were present. How are time and punctuality viewed and valued in your country?
Mexico As an independent woman getting off the bus, I could not understand why my male Mexican colleague insisted on helping me off. As a result of my protests, he stopped, only to be chastised by his countrymen for his lack of chivalry. This experience helped me to realize that similar actions do not necessarily represent similar values in different cultural contexts.
Guatemala Guatemala was one of the first places I went internationally. I was impressed by the ruins of course, but even more caught by the richness of the Mayan culture. Did you know that much of the food and clothing is still made in the traditional Mayan fashion?
Puerto Rico Visiting the island of Culebra (along the coast of Puerto Rico), I soaked in the sun of a classic tropical paradise. Walking along the island, however, I came upon an abandoned American tank dotting the countryside. This got me thinking about the mix of cultures this U.S. territory has brought together, including: Spanish, Indian, African, French, German, Lebanese, Chinese, and more. What can we learn from the peaceful Puerto Rico?
Dominican Republic My experience in the Dominican Republic reminded me that time is fluid. The concept of "mañana" or tomorrow focuses on seizing the moment and eliminates the need to put a time or date on an activity. This is a big change for U.S. Americans used to fast food and service. Enjoying the birds and the people in one of Santo Domingo's lovely plazas, reminded me that time need not always be spent or accounted for.
El Salvador Some years back I had the opportunity to welcome in the new year with Salvadorian friends in their nation's capital. For the occasion, their custom was to build a paper maché figure and fill it with firecrackers. Everyone present would then write down (on small strips of paper) all of the things that they wished to leave behind. Then the slips were attached to the figure and the figure was ceremoniously burned. The oldest woman present was still alarmed by the sounds of the firecrackers-too strong a reminder of the war sounds she had heard in earlier years.
Honduras Volunteering as a hurricane relief worker, I had the opportunity to work alongside people who had lost everything in the floods. Shoveling mud together, I learned about the sense of community these families had. Together we shoveled mud and then developed cheap and nutritious recipes for sustaining families in challenging times. I am remembering these lessons, especially during our current recession.
Bolivia Crossing the Atacama desert, I was awestruck by the sea of salt, the lakes of many colors, the rock and cacti forests, and more. Although freezing at high altitude, the people and the country were warm, resourceful, and inviting.
Chile In the language of Chile's indigenous peoples, the word Chile comes from Chilli and literally means "where the world ends." Although far enough south to travel to Antarctica, Chile is a rich blend of cultures, geography, and folklore and by no means a place where the world actually ends.
Argentina While doing research in South America, I had a chance to visit an old friend and Argentine, who is also a contemporary artist in Buenos Aires. Through her eyes and experiences in Cuba, South America, and Europe, I experienced the convergent cultural influences that make Buenos Aires a thriving cultural epicenter of South America. Where else can you learn to tango on a street corner?
Uruguay I enjoyed staying with a family in Montevideo, where I was asked to help prepare the children's costumes for their first ever Halloween celebration. This came along with many questions about the origin of Halloween and North American Halloween traditions (like bobbing for apples). What, if anything, can we learn about a culture through its holidays and festivals? What is the origin of the "Día de los Muertos" celebration that occurs in Uruguay in November?
Paraguay In Paraguay I learned to drink loose tea (maté) from a container made out of a cow's hoof. The tea is drunk from a stainless steel straw that filters the tea leaves and is passed from person to person. What I didn't know then was that when I had had enough rounds of tea, I simply needed to say "gracias," or thank you to end my turn in the circle. Not knowing this, I drank enough tea to last me a month in just one sitting!
South Africa During my time in South Africa, I saw remnants of a long history of apartheid. However, hope abounds for the future. Young people (black and white) are talking openly about their futures. And Soweto, historically the heart of much of the apartheid struggle, is now home to community gardens, a vibrant youth culture, and one of the most prominent music and theatre scenes in the country.
Taiwan While, unfortunately, a negative experience can color our world view, a positive one can too. Lost in Taiwan, I was met by an elderly woman at the train station who helped me purchase a train ticket and then returned with a gift for me - a sack lunch. With little language in common, she was trying to tell me that I was about to get on a train with no stops for several hours. How can you and I welcome visitors to the United States so that they too have a similar story to tell?
Japan Staring at the ruins of ground zero in Hiroshima, I watched the sun go down, while sharing a smile and a moment of hope with an elderly Japanese gentleman. I wondered if he was there when it all happened and what his hopes for the future might be.
South Korea In South Korea as a Rotary ambassador, I learned that my father would need an emergency quadruple bypass in my absence. When I went to visit a program for youth at a small town convent, the nuns greeted me with a prayer for my father. My host family did too-I still have the message in a bottle they gave to me with "open arms" (or a bow).
France France is famous for its museums, its fashion, and its food. However, did you know that it was also the French who gave the United States its famous statue of liberty in a gesture of friendship? Have you ever thought about how we went from that to "freedom fries?"
United Kingdom Did you know that the United Kingdom extends to include England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (not just England). The flag represent their union and is made up of the flags of three countries in the union: England, Scotland, and Ireland. (Great Britain, a part of the United Kingdom, includes England, Scotland, and Wales.)
India Visiting India for the wedding of a childhood friend, we had many opportunities to practice co-cultural solution-building. The white wedding dress, a long-standing U.S. Christian wedding tradition, is the color of mourning in India. Hindu wedding rituals include a red sari (a long piece of material traditionally worn by Indian women), the color of sin to some U.S. Americans.
Lesotho Admittedly, I had trouble with the altitude, the stark winds, and the harsh climate in Lesotho. I was impressed by the resourcefulness of local people. They built mud huts and fires for warmth and raised goats for food. What would I do-starve, probably!
Belize Beautiful beaches, great seafood, and.. 2 miles of plastic TRASH! Unfortunately, the people of the local islands have no way to recycle the amount of plastic trash that washes up on the beach from water and soda bottles used by tourists. The trash washes up on the beach during heavy rains and has no where to go. What impact does this have on intercultural relations?
Czech Republic Prague is well known as one of the most beautiful historic cities in Europe. Did you know that the acclaimed Prague Castle and the city of Prague were founded around 880?
Germany Visiting Germany, I soon realized the importance of punctuality. Unfortunately, I had my watch set an hour off so was quite late for my morning appointment with a local university. This oversight made a very poor impression on my German counterparts. I will not make that mistake again!
Netherlands Is it rude to be direct? It depends-I found that a concise and to the point approach may indicate that you have nothing to hide when working with Dutch colleagues.
Belgium Most people have heard of Belgian chocolates. When I was in Belgium, I noticed that many chocolates were formed into sea shell shapes. When looking into why, I learned that sea shells can be considered treasures from the sea and a symbol for many positive things. Some associations for the symbol include: rebirth, beauty, and uniqueness. 
Canada As a result of its colonial past, Canada has historically heavily influenced by British and French cultural values. Today, the country shares large-scale migration of people and ideas with the United States and is now heavily influenced by U.S. American culture. After the second world war, laws were established to protect Canadian cultural identity, which got me thinking about what it means to be Canadian today?
Ecuador When traveling in Ecuador, many tourists want to take photographs of the colorful traditional clothing worn by it people. However, I am told that many of the locals do not like to have their picture taken, as it is said to steal the soul of the person captured on film.
Colombia Colombia is, unfortunately, known by many for guerilla warfare and drug trafficking. However, my favorite memory of Colombia includes the beauty of the "zona cafeteria," the coffee region and the warm welcome I received there. Lost again,(my sense of direction has made me many friends J), I asked for directions and was accompanied for ten blocks to the location I was seeking. My new Colombian friend wanted to be sure that I found what I was looking for and felt welcome in her country.
Brazil Brazil is known around the world for its expertise and style in the sport of soccer and produces many world renowned players. The sport is also an important part of the country's national identity. Throughout the country, children are seen playing soccer every weekend. Some say that soccer is the first thing children learn after they learn to walk. While I was not previously a soccer fan, the enthusiasm I soaked in while attending a soccer tournament in Rio, is extremely contagious!
Panama Many lost their lives in the construction of the Panama Canal. And, its history has certainly been a tumultuous one for many nations. However, just before the turn of this century, after nearly a century of foreign rule, the United States officially ceded ownership rights to Panama. Having last visited Panama in 1999, I look forward to returning to the country to experience this transition first-hand.
Italy Italy I have enjoyed getting to know a variety of Italians through my work. Often, they have been expressive with their speech, gestures, and welcome. However, building relationships and trust is generally an important part of doing business in Italy. Despite an overtly warm welcome, I have found that real trust and respect often requires face to face contact, time, food, and wine.
Peru Using Spanish to communicate in the mountains of Peru, I learned some basic Quichua, enough to learn that the woman I was talking to thought that her husband was cheap, but "don't say anything." Apparently, financial difference can occur in marriages around the world.