A few weeks ago we watched a video
on Immigration and Integration to follow up our mini project discussion on it.
We watched a video titled “Une Double Identite” that featured a man who had
moved from Cambodia to France. Throughout the video he commented on his
experience integrating into a new culture. He said when he originally came to
France, it would have been easier for him to identify with his Cambodian
culture, but he did try to break away from that and identify with the French. Without
letting go of what is comfortable, it would have been more difficult for him to
integrate into this new culture and share experiences with the French people.
Naturally, he did run into stereotypes as he was integrating into this new
culture. He said you have to realize the stereotypes and make an effort to
break away from them. For example, intelligence doesn’t depend on the color of
your skin, it comes from inside. Even though there were a few stereotypes to
overcome, integrating into France was relatively easy. He says France is a very
diverse society and if he accepted their culture, then they accepted his for
the most part.
Overall
I think it is an amazing thing when someone moves to another country and
immerges themselves into a new culture. At first I’m sure it is very exciting,
but after awhile I can see it getting difficult and frustrating. Personally, I
do not think I could integrate myself into a new culture if I did not have any
of my friends or family with me. Like I stated earlier, it is probably very
exciting at fist but I think it would get tiring after a few weeks. It takes a
very strong person to throw themselves out completely vulnerable to a new
culture; anyone who has done this or plans to do this is very brave and earns
my respect.
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