The American Dream and the Real Dream

By Suhail Alzuhairi 

     Jay Gatsby represents the American Dream in the way that he started very poor, then worked hard and became rich. I think this is the dream that most Americans think about, but Fitzgerald has a different perspective of the American Dream which is being happy with wealth in addition to achieving the American Dream. 

     Gatsby was born in a very poor family with a farmer as a father. When he saw the yacht of Cody, who was a rich man, he worked hard with him. He then worked as a bootlegger. After all his hard work, he became very wealthy and bought a big house on West Egg that he had parties in every weekend. However, Gatsby achieved the American Dream, but he didn't achieve happiness by being with Daisy. 

     I agree with F.Scott Fitzgerald that being rich is not enough to completely achieve a dream. There's a final step which is to be happy indeed. 

     To conclude, the American Dream is to start from the beginning and work hard and then become rich, but this dream is not enough for Fitzgerald. He thinks happiness is more than being rich. 

American Dream: A Perfect Connection to The Great Gatsby

By Khac Vinh Nguyen (06/26/2017)

Jay Gatsby represents for the ideal of material wealth that every American wants to achieve and pursue. However, to get those things they must work so hard and try to put a lot of efforts to get things done. Gatsby started so poor and due to work hard, he finally got successful and had so many valuable properties. Gatsby demonstrates for the ideal of American dream that everyone could be rich and got what they want if they were willing to be industrious and hard working. However, the ideal of American dream that the author Fitzgerald depicts in the story is conflicted with the reality. Many Americans and Immigrants have come to United States with the hope and dream of being rich and successful in America, they have spent a lot of working hours to save money and make their dreams come true. whereas, they have not achieved their goals or even their income is much lower than before in order to nurture for their daily lives. The author wanted to prove that American dream is not true like people would desire. 

As a results, Gatsby went from rags to riches, he achieved what others wanted to be. However, he finally did not reach out the higher social class that he would expect. The phase of "old money and new money" is a very obvious example demonstrating for the imbalance of equality of opportunity between ideal and reality. As a deeper meaning, money is not the king of universe. It is only a way to measure success or society.

The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

Sr. Vocata

Green Light, a symbol of America Dream

 F. Scott Fitzgerald wanted to talk about American Dream in reality through Jay Gatsby who represents the American Dream in the Great Gatsby, I think.
  First, in reality, material wealth does not always mean happiness. In the 1900s, according to American Way, a lot of immigrants came to America for the American Dream. Every people in America believed that through hard work, they become rich. The phrase "going from rags to riches" became a slogan for the "American Dream." Gatsby also started from a poor young boy and tried to build wealth in the war as a soldier and in America as a bootlegger. Finally he accomplished American Dream as a great rich. However, he wasn't happy because he could't get Daisy, who was the only motivation to Gatsby's success. Even though his beautiful mansion, gorgeous parties and new yellow car, he couldn't approach to his hope, Daisy.

Gatsby's gorgeous party

  Second, everybody have equality of opportunity, but it has kind of discrimination in social classes. American Way's author said that in reality, some people have a better chance for success than others like Tom Buchanan, born into rich family as old money. On the other hand, Gatsby wasn't old money which is main stream of society in America. Gatsby was limited to move up to upper class even his wealth. In the same way, in American society, people try to get the new life as rich people, but it is hard to belong to the high class.

  In some, material wealth and equality of opportunity is important values in America which are still believed by American. Between ideal and reality of these values, there are difficulties to achieve their American Dream: Happiness and discrimination in social classes

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Culture Shock: A Great Way to Comprehend a New Culture

By Khac Vinh Nguyen (06/19/2017)

 

Before studying oversea, students should not only prepare themselves with a required language background to keep up with a new life in new country, but we also should have an obvious study plan during the period of studying abroad. The study plan should be started with the questions like what we are going to study, how we are going to study, or why we decide to study overseas.  Admittedly, studying abroad is one of the most effective approach to perceive a deep understanding a new culture, and to enrich your life experiences. Therefore, being well prepared for your study with an obvious goal is a wise step for success. Additionally, being open mind and keeping a respectful attitude to the host country are a great factor to downplay the state of shock. As mentioned in the first paragraph of the article, “Culture Shock” by The Study Abroad Center in 2007 at University of California, “Another, even more subtle, responsibility you have is to remain open in order to become aware of similarities and differences, to learn rather than to judge. This can be the most rewarding experience in your education.” Indeed, living in a new country with completely different culture from your home country that means you certainly have to deal with many issues. It might be exhilarating, rewarding or even frustrating experiences. Some persons could have a view of culture shock when they travel or study abroad just because they are not willing to be open minded and not trying to take efforts to understand the new culture. Whereas, others may be shocked for the first time they come in, and then they can gradually get familiar with new culture and never in state of shock as a result of learning rather than judge. Indeed, if you accept to learn and adapt with new culture, you might benefit in some ways. In other words, if you do not try to follow new customs in a new nation, the percentage of difficulty in new life is certainly inevitable. Withdrawn from my real experience for the first time I traveled to Japan, when I was in Vietnam, being noisy in restaurant is considered normal in my country, however, I kept it as normal as I thought when I entered a restaurant in Japan and was loud with my friend during our dining time. 

As a result, people who was having a dinner at the restaurant looked at me with an unsatisfied attitude. According to the Culture Shock article: “It is important to be open toward the culture into which you are going, to try to discard stereotypes, and to read as much as you can about the culture before your departure.”

Generally, living in a new country is not as easy as we thought. Keeping a positive and willing attitude will help to overcome the challenges in life. To learn rather than to judge is the primary step for the following success. It is really significant to prepare an obvious plan before studying overseas. The more we take efforts, the better we are. Keep looking, do not settle.

Experiencing Culture Shock

by Suhail Alzuhairi

According to the article, Culture Shock by the Study Abroad Center of the University of California at Irvine, people enter a new culture enthusiastically but then they face differences that cause difficulties. I went through this process when I came to attend school in the United States. Culture shock, as it is called, does not happen in one single action, it is an ongoing process. For example, the weather, language, and different constitutions are some factors that make life more difficult and make time consuming to adapt to a new culture. It can be difficult to go through at first; however, people will adapt and get used to living with these differences. When I came to the U.S., I was very excited and eager to know everything about the American culture. However, I quickly became shocked by the differences from my own country, especially the differences in religious practices. For examples, praying and going to religious buildings, such as a church and temple, are very different than my own. In my religion, we are supposed to go to mosques and pray five times a day, while in other religions, people don't have to go to their religions' buildings. Coming from a country that has one major religion to a country with hundreds was very surprising and interesting because although people believe differently, they still are one nation. Furthermore, I noticed many other differences, such as the language, climate, driving practices, and the social practices. It took time to adapt and become comfortable with all of these new and fascinating ideas of the American culture. For example, when I first came to the U.S., I couldn't go out without wearing heavy clothes although it was summer, but now, I usually wear light, short clothes whether in spring or fall. In the end, people, including myself, become a part of the new culture and the new culture will become a part of us, too. Then, when we return to our own culture we will realize just how much we have changed. 

Overall, the changes I experienced in moving to the United States were numerous. They were difficult to adapt to and caused me to look at how I could change to fit this culture without changing who I am personally. It took time to become comfortable in the new and different practices from the ones that I grew up with. Over time, I learned how to be immersed into a new culture while still embracing my own and being my own original self.

A Dynamic Adventure with Culture Shock: Adaptation and Re-entry

Sr. Vocata

  In my own journey of studying abroad and in my international congregation, I can relate to the stages called 'Adaptation' and 'Re-entry' which are explained in the article about 'Culture Shock' by the Study Abroad Center of the University California at Irvine.  However, we can reduce and change the effect of Culture Shock with an open-mind and an humility.

Jon Kabat-Zinn said, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” I would paraphrase this quote by saying, “We can’t avoid Culture Shock, but we can learn to surf and to enjoy a new  world.” In the article, the author said that Culture Shock is an inevitable reaction and we face it when we live in another country. If we don’t adapt to the dynamic process of adjustment between our own culture and the new one, like surfing, we can’t learn how to enjoy the new culture as an adventure.

One example of adaptation I have experienced concerned LGBTQ, which means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer. Before I entered the United States, LGBTQ was like a word from another planets to me. In Korea, we have also a lot of people who are LGBTQ, but they are remain a part by themselves because they are still rejected by the main populace. Furthermore, even though Pope Francis said, "If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?"(2013), the Catholic church to which I belong as a sister still doesn’t approve by canon law of homo sexuality. That’s all I knew. However, after I arrived in Spokane, I have seen LGBTQ in a new light. As a sister of the Church, I follow canon law, but I also am one who believes in a God who loves every person with mercy which hasn't conditions. Therefore I meet every person without exception with an open-mind. For example, I know a woman who has very warm heart, and who has been focusing on social well-fair. I had a special opportunity to serve breakfast to the homeless with her. The reason that she is special is not her sexual orientation, but her heart and the value she places on life. From this special experience, I have learned to be open-minded.

When we go back to our country from the host country, we will go through a Re-entry phase, which needs careful attention because we have changed within the new culture. "One set of values has long been instilled in you, another you have acquired in the host country," the article explains. In addition, when we live in another country, our country has also changed, and its degree depends on the lent of time we have been away, I think. Our congregation, the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is an international community, so a lot of sisters have been living in other countries, not their homeland. For at least for 3 to 5 years, we have to stay in a foreign land. I remember a sister who had a painful re-collaboration of her perspective when she returned to Korea. She said, “I couldn’t understand why the other sisters didn’t understand my opinion, although my foreign sisters had understood me and I also couldn't understand why I felt desolate inside that community. When I realized that I had to restart adapting to my new culture.” To her, this Re-entry shock was perplexing, but she acquired a new perspective when she approached the problem with humility.

In summary, we can’t avoid ‘Culture Shock’ in another country, and in our own culture when we have 'Re-entry' phase. However, if we face these challenges and recognize them, then, it will be easier to choose adaptation. If we choose to adapt, we will enjoy a dynamic adventure in the whole world.

Cite: 
http://www.hrc.org/resources/seven-quotes-that-make-pope-francis-complicated-for-lgbt-people

Interpersonal skills - a way to achieve success

by Khac Vinh NguyenLevel 5A

Honestly there are so many important skills that a person needs to accumulate in order to be successful in the competitive world today. One of the highest priorities skills that we should learn is interpersonal skills. They are the tools people use to interact and communicate with individuals in an organizational environment. They include:

• Verbal communication
• Non-verbal communication
• Listening skills
• Negotiation
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making

Why is it a very important factor for success? There are variety of reasons for this. Firstly, a person can not perceive everything equally well in life. He or she may be good at this point, but they might be bad at perceiving another point. According to the Huffington Post updated on March 16, 2017 it stated: " The ability to influence an individual effectively starts with being able to understand that individual. Being able to influence people is more than just mastering a set of tricks, because each individual is different; realising that will make you more effective and hopefully you will come to appreciate why these differences are crucial assets when working together". Indeed, I have witnessed so many people who have such high self-esteem and arrogant, they just like to work alone and never share or discuss opinions with others. Therefore,  most of them usually fail as a result. More obviously when engineers want to fix a problem with a plane, they have to cooperate with many different departments, and each of them specializes in different areas of the plane, so it will be easier to find the best solution with everyone's help. Therefore it is really essential to have the interpersonal skills to get things done.

Moreover, having strong interpersonal skills can contribute to the creation of outstanding ideas. For instance, when people work and interact together with an open mind and a willing attitude, all of the ideas from every person will be analyzed and then the best ones will be selected to achieve the goal. In other words, a person who usually works alone, on a group project often tends to be passive and less productive than a person who is willing to work in a team. Hence, it is almost beneficial to have interpersonal skills in life. We sometimes do need a private space to come up with our ideas. However, I believe that communicating with others, sharing our experiences, and studying together will ensure that everything is more creative, smooth and sustainable. As my grandfather said: “Solidarity is our power, let it be”. His statement is still true for many situations.

In summary, one person is never good at everything. Knowledge may be unlimited if we make more efforts to communicate with each other. Everything will get easier as people connect with one another to deal with the problem.

Communication in our Daily Life

by Suhail Alzuhairi

One of the most important skills in today's life is communication. Communication plays an important role in every part of our daily lives. We use speaking and nonverbal actions to exchange information with each other every day. Moreover, we communicate at many areas such as home, work, school, or even on the internet. There are many different important ways that contact helps us to improve relationships with those around us.

One area of our lives in which communication is used every day is with our families. Our parents taught us our first communication skills. Siblings helped us to learn to speak with our peers. Whether we are living with family members, or are simply keeping in touch with them, we make an effort to relay ideas to them. For example, we sit with our families during having lunch or dinner, we talk with each other without paying attention to that we are learning how to communicate.

A second environment where communication is essential is in schools. This is where communication is taught formally by teachers so that students know how to speak later in life with future employers and coworkers. This is a time when learning to communicate correctly is very important. In the classroom is where we will practice formally because we may not receive the same practice at home. The dialogue with teachers and students teaches us new forms of verbal and nonverbal communication that is necessary later in the work field. Working in a group project is a great example. Our roles when working in a group help us understand how companies are organized. 

One of the most important areas in need of good communication skills is the work environment. The workplace is based around contact, so without functional interpersonal skills, the workplace may fail. Each worker must have the ability to speak with coworkers, managers, and sometimes even present speeches to other companies or organizations. To successfully work in these professional environments, we must understand the art of communication. Presenting new ideas, for instance, in meetings to managers and higher-ups requires the ability to formally address them using proper dialogue and gestures.

Lastly, a very common area in which communication is used is on the internet. We dialogue through social apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others for many different reasons. We may use the internet to contact our bosses, online businesses, family, friends, and even strangers. The vast opportunities provided by the internet to communicate makes it even more important to become a great communicator.

Overall, communication is one of the most important skills to have because we use it extensively in our daily lives. Practicing our interpersonal skills in school and at home will prepare us to be ready for the workplace where we will be expected to have effective communication skills.

One Significant Method for Success: Communication

Sr. Vocata

I think the most important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today is communication. Because we live in a world which is filled with people and other creatures that have a relationship with us, we need to communicate well each other because “No one is an island.” Success is built on diversity relationships and communication is the most basic foundation to live as a human and one of God's creatures.

Every day people meet other people and creatures from the time we wake up until we fall asleep, and even when someone is sleeping, he or she is together with his or her partner, and maybe with their kids, even their pets. In these various relationships, we can’t live without communication.  Through the communication, we learn everything, not only how to speak but also how to behave. A baby learns to use a spoon from her parents. Parents show their baby how to use a spoon, for example, with gestures and words. In this case, we can see that communication takes place not only through words but also through actions, with a lot of practice, the baby will successfully be able to use the spoon. In the same way, people can learn everything from society. In a workplace, a university, or a church group, efficient communication is very important to achieve their goals. People can share new concepts through communication like meeting, emailing and calling, or text messaging and Face Time. When they face a problem, they might be a conflict between different perspectives, but they may be able to solve the problem through conversation, patience, and compromise, all of which are important parts of communication. With communication, people consolidate ideas to reach their common goal.

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)

In the world, we see the crucial events such as the Manchester terror attack because some people believe that when they want to achieve their goals, they must force other people with violence, especially vulnerable people like women, children. However, In the history of the world, violent force has not been the solution. It has only resulted suffering and grief over and over. One historical example of someone who has used violence to try to reach his ends is Adolf Hitler, who didn’t succeed on the blood path. 

Mohandas K. Gandhi(1869-1948)

Conversely, in the same era, there was a great person called Mohandas K. Gandhi, who communicated with every people as the leader of the nonviolent civil disobedience movement in India. He convinced people that nonviolence is the only communication way to build a better world. And now, even though he has passed away, his spirit is still in existence; therefore, he has succeeded. Violence brings violence, but communication brings understanding, adaptation, and finally peace. The process of communication is not fast, I think, but it is valuable to help us concentrate and to try constantly for the next generation.

In addition, in my life, communication has been an important tool for success. When I decided to join the religious life as a Catholic sister, I had had some special conversations with people and with God. When I was looking for a congregation which had been prepared for me by God, someone told me this: stop seeking and start listening. This means that I shouldn't follow my own thoughts and feelings, but use God's will as I hear, see, and encounter it as my guide. Before that conversation, I was confused about which of several congregations I choose, but after the conversation which was guided by the Holy Spirit, I think, I found our congregation, Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. That experience has helped me to make significant decision. Now, I’m so happy as a daughter of the holy church, so I would say, that communication of important advise has helped me to succeed in the world, too.

In brief, we can't live without communication with others. In other words, without communication we can't share, give, even essential things for living such as foods, clothes and shelter. Thus, communication is one significant method for the success of the world in which we live together.

Welcome to our writing blog!

Welcome to the Class Blog for Academic Seminar 2016. You will write journal entries here and share them with your class, your friends, and anyone! You can even share the link on Facebook! I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say.