Part 1 Own video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCev6UqRbo0

Part 2 - Analysis of an interview Shanty from Jakarta (Indonesia),

international student in Ghent, interviewed by Natalia Rachiteleva and
Angelika Lys

The cultural image that is projected of each settingconsidering which

phenomena, traits, rules, norms and values are cited;

When asked what aspects of life here she likes/dislikes the most, she mentioned
paperwork and bureaucracy as her least pleasant part of experience here. For a
foreign student, who does not speak the local language and is not familiar with the
way paperwork is handled in Belgium, arranging all the papers can be
overwhelming and stressful. It also takes much more time in Belgium than in The
Nederlands to receive an ID card, register at ones address and even arrange a
library membership.

Getting used to the way study program as organised and to the way Belgian
students work was rather difficult for the interviewee. Studies in Indonesia are more
theoretical, dont include any group work and little self study. At first, Shanty did not
know how to take proper notes and what to expect from the exams. The group
projects served as additional stress, because she had to work with people from
different nationalities and ways of thinking.

The attitude the interviewee holds towards each setting;

The interviewee comes from a very warm country, so during her stay in Belgium she
really missed the sun and warm weather. But it was never a real issue for her as the
overall experience in the host country was a pleasant one.

What message the interviewee is sending about his or her cultural

identity, and about the cultural identity of his/her hosts;
Shanty finds Belgian culture in some way similar to her home culture. Belgians are
more open and family-oriented, compared to the Hollanders, who are mostly on
their own and like to be independent, individualistic. Being able to relate to the host
culture made Shanty feel more at home while living on the other side of the
globe.

Ways in which the interviewers or interviewees may have questioned or

made explicit the way these cultural identities were constructed;

The interviewee mentioned that Belgians have a stereotypical view on all people
with Asian traits. They suppose that they all come from China and are thus very
hard working and excellent students. Shanty believes that this perception of all
Asian people as just one nation is wrong and does not represent the diversity of
Asian countries and cultures.

What is indicative of a (non-)essentialist viewpoint on the part of both the

interviewers and the interviewees

Shanty keeps an open mind and even in a culture so distant from her home culture,
she finds similarities. Using that as a starting point, one can start building a trustful
relationship with the host culture.

How interviewees construct Erasmus students communities and people

they have met or tried to avoid meeting. What do these
stories/constructions tell us about their attitudes to diversity?
Normally exchange students communities form on their own, because minorities
tend to stick together. One wants to be closer and seek support from those in
similar situation. College group projects can be another good opportunity to talk to
people you would never dare to talk to otherwise and, eventually, make new
friends.
Shanty believes that whenever one lives abroad, it makes one grow and develop his
intercultural communication skills. Daily interactions with people of different
nationalities allow one to learn from them. It teaches one to avoid stereotyping,
being more open in social and future business life.
Analysis of an interview Thomas from Colombia (Bogota), exchange
student in Ghent, interviewed by Lars Libbrecht

The cultural image that is projected of each settingconsidering which

phenomena, traits, rules, norms and values are cited.

The first thing that Thomas noticed is that Belgian people are far more direct in their
communication style than the people from Colombia. Belgians want to be addressed
by their titles while in Colombia people are very informal and call each other by the
first name even if they speak to a person of a higher rank. Belgians find this type of
behaviour rather offensive.

People in Colombia seem to be also more family-oriented while Belgians are very
independent from the youngest years. They work more and dont live with their
parents as long as it happens in Thomas home country. Colombians are also more
open and spontaneous. They tend to dance on the street, hug and kiss each other in
public and Belgians are much more closed and distanced.

Thomas likes the way that the public transportation works in Belgium. The traffic is
much safer, people are polite and the policemen are helpful and respectful towards
other people on the road. Even though people are polite he had some situations
where he was discriminated during this stay in Belgium.

The attitude the interviewee holds towards each setting.

Thomas was taken by surprise of how indirect and formal are Belgian people and
from what I was able to deduct he prefers the Latin communication style which is
more open and informal. Its a better way to get to know other people in a more
personal way.

He was also impressed by the way that Belgian student try to stand on their own
during their studies which doesnt happen in Colombia.

Thomas likes the sense of security that is present in Belgium when it comes to
traffic or just the streets. In his home country, there is much more criminality and
dangers waiting on the streets. It will be the thing that he will miss the most when
hes back in Bogota.
What message the interviewee is sending about his or her cultural
identity, and about the cultural identity of his/her hosts.

Thomas came to Belgium as an exchange student. The main reason why he chose
this country is because his father is originally from Belgium. Specifically, from
Ghent. He came to Belgium to track his routes and to find something more about his
fathers land. He was born and raised in Bogota and it seems like he identifies
himself with this particular culture. Because of the fact that he spent his whole life
on the other part of the world the connection with Belgian culture is not strong yet.
Ways in which the interviewers or interviewees may have questioned or
made explicit the way these cultural identities were constructed.

There were no details considering this topic but in my opinion Thomas is very
connected to his culture and his country because even though his in Belgium now,
and he had a chance to discover local culture, his bond with Colombia is very strong
and he wants to go back after his studies.

What is indicative of a (non-)essentialist viewpoint on the part of both the

interviewers and the interviewees.

Both the interviewer and the interviewee had the non-essentialist point of view.
There were no signs of any restraints when it comes to diverse cultures coming to
Belgium or accepting any single individual. The only exception was the example of
discrimination when it came to renting an apartment to Thomas. He was denied
because of the fact that hes from another country.

How interviewees construct Erasmus students communities and people

they have met or tried to avoid meeting. What do these
stories/constructions tell us about their attitudes to diversity?

Thomas has made a lot of friends mostly via university and living in a dorm. In
Colombia students live at their parents houses so the biggest interaction happens
on the nights out.

He never had any troubles with negative attitude towards him by his fellow colleges.
It means that people are open and friendly to the foreigners living in Belgium.
Especially young people who seek interaction with the people with different
nationalities.