My Cultural Journey; From Asia to North America (GEOG100 Final Project) (TIWDD2103)

Name: Dev Kaushal Tiwari

Date of Publishment: 11/08/2022

Course: GEOG100 (Introduction to Human Geography)

Assignment Name: Geography Final Project

Theme Chosen: Culture

3 Places chosen: International School of London Qatar (Doha, Qatar), Phuket (Thailand) and Vancouver (Canada)

Place 1- International School of London Qatar (Doha, Qatar) (September 2012 - February 2021)

Grade 3, International School of London Qatar (I'm the cool kid hugging my two friends, Matei and Bilal)

    Studying in an international school, I essentially grew up in a diversified environment surrounded by hundreds of different cultures and festivities. The experience is truly enthralling due to the feeling of constant security and freedom, there is so much to do in Doha, despite it still developing at drastically high rates. Being able to attend an international school while growing opened multiple opportunities for me, including accommodating personal growth, and promoting independence. I learned to not dependent on people, simply because of the sophistication of the curriculum I was placed into, which was the IB, International Baccalaureate. This curriculum is one considered to be extremely rigorous, simply due to the massive workload and heavy content being tested. Having to organize my time and gradually improve my critical thinking skills, my self confidence and ability were continually validated. Skills like time management and organization are constantly enforced, in a curriculum that encourages strict deadlines. My cognitive and social skills are not limited to my time in high school, rather they are skills that will continue to grow and prosper with further exposure to new environments and situations.

My classmates and I planning our trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for an academic competition known as the World Scholar's Cup program

    Due to my normalized exposure to diversity, I found great room for personal development and individual growth that allowed for open-mindedness. Through multiple cultural and lingual barriers, the predicaments you are placed into within an international environment strengthen your understanding of the importance regarding social interaction and challenges with communication. It is with these hardships that you experience personal growth. With these, come great benefits such as the ability to work collectively with new perspectives and approaches, often allowing for innovative thinking and expression to take place. With such collaboration, there is often discourse in ways of thinking, however these events promote productivity and integrate differing ways of thinking. 

Our friend group bidding our farewell to one of our closest friends, the man in the middle, Shafaqat Ahmed who was leaving to the United Kingdom

    As a result of constant exposure to individuals of different nationalities and ethnicities, one becomes accustomed to a diversified environment, often seeking engagements with people of foreign descent. At my time there, my friend group consisted of people who were all foreign and of differing ethnic backgrounds. By incorporating such cultural diversity, there was considerable room of personal development and growth. I was able to learn about Latin, Arab and African cultures, often finding similarities and learning about differences through traditions and festivities exclusively to those regions. Inspiration and enjoyment of Latin culture led to me taking basic Spanish courses in my early years of high school, an aspect of my life that truly allowed for me to learn about the complexity of language. Language isn’t just a cultural element; it is something that allows for one to truly connect to those foreign to them. I was able to order food, converse amateurly and comprehend with native Spanish speakers, allowing for me to tap into their culture and attain such knowledge.

Formal day photograph

    Another important of cultural significance in my high school was the acceptance of religious diversity. Although there were universal restrictions regarding Islam that were followed by all, my high school encouraged religious practices of all kinds. There was no limitation with regards to one’s ability to practice their religion, rather it was such learning that allowed for further individual education to take place, and it was done entirely out of personal incentive rather than one being forced. Religious diversity allows for acceptance of those different to us to take place, it encourages communication and the formation of relationships. To not pass judgement over others based on their beliefs, promotes greater appreciation of our faith in other values. Emphasis on religion is important in school, as we learn to use it to further connect with people and to not use as a tool to cause divide. Religion, more specifically Islam, has been pivotal in Qatar’s economic, societal, and cultural growth, hence learning about such a profoundly complex topic allows for followers of separate beliefs to collectively appreciate the opportunity and comfort it has given to us. In this sense, the unified sense of appreciation is what supports open-mindedness. There is strength in unity.

These are my high school best friends, from the same school. From left, there's Raed Asad, Youssef Barakat, Me in the middle :), Jason Taylor and Sergio Ortiz

    Schools shape culture by the interactions between individuals in the facility itself. Assimilation between culture allows for a diversified sense of unity, offering one identity that accepts the collective integration of multiple cultures. By encouraging such integrations, people tend to discriminate less and respect those who are of different ethnicities. In a region of the world where there is inherent racism to expats and immigrants, the Middle East, I was lucky to attend an environment where I felt accepted and as a part of the community. The International School of London Qatar was a home to me, one that was strongly intolerant of racism and bullying, an environment that disallowed for cultural differences to separate and divide its students, instead, used the differences to encourage growth and unification.

This was in the physics lab, hours before our Grade 10 graduation

This photo was after our Grade 12 graduation, my friend Putu Narayanan is on my right

    My attachment to Doha is one based on constant safety and devotion to individuality. This place allowed me to be myself and find my purpose through opportunities easily accessible to me. Being of foreign decent in Qatar, I like many others, diversify the population, further improving cultural diversity within Qatar. By doing so, the chances of homogenization by Arabas further decreases, allowing for better integration and lowering levels of discrimination.

    Qatar has been affected by multiculturalism. In response to multiculturalism and a diversified population, activities within the countries and access to certain channels have been promoted, to limit westernized influence from taking place. There has been an increased sense of nationalism in response to alarming rates of diversity, which in the long term supports homogenization of Arabs. By doing so, there has been increased rates of discrimination holistically, however, still minimal. This form of discrimination is primarily towards laborers of South Asian decent, more specifically India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. While these workers are in Qatar for opportunity, they face harassment by nationals and are often mistreated out of fear of the large Indian population residing within Qatar. 

Place 2- Phuket, Thailand (July 01, 2019)

 

    Phuket is a phenomenal location, filled with cultural beauty and indescribable landscapes. What I was profoundly surprised with, is the impact of Buddhism on the local residence and general etiquette throughout the country. Making up the majority of the population, Buddhism is a religion that encourages differing practices and festivities with utmost respect. There is no sense of entitlement or coercion regarding expression of religion and the freedom to follow what you believe in, hence Thailand’s openness to foreign religions and tolerance to differing beliefs is what constitutes them as a such a peaceful location to visit/reside.

My family and I at the Golden Buddha Statue in Phuket, Thailand

    After visiting the Golden Buddha Statue, I learned about Buddhism and its teachings, with extra emphasis on the 4 noble truths: Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirhodha and Magga.  These four truths are the basis of Buddhism, often guiding people through life with openness and enlightenment. It also enforces the concept of karma, and how we should not moralize things to categorize the good from the wrong, rather accept that they are interconnected and co-exist everywhere (O'Brien, 2019). Another interesting aspect of Buddhism that correlated to mannerism of Thai people was the amount of respect and compassion citizens have for one another. Upon arrival, I was greeted with constant hospitality and friendliness. After researching for the reasoning of this occurrence while in Phuket, I learned that Buddhist values promote respect to those around you, as everyone suffers from similar problems and to overcome them, we need to treat each other with unconditional positive regard. Intertwined with compassion, one must learn to be selfless, rather work for the collective happiness. By placing such focus on others, Buddhism allows for barriers such as egocentricity and selfishness to be overcome from clouding judgement, rather we should assist others and be content with the appreciation of the latter.

25% Zoomed out of our location in Phuket

50% Zoomed out of our location in Phuket (showing entire city)

    75% Zoomed out of our location in Phuket (Thailand and neighboring countries visible) (Satellite Shot)

    75% Zoomed out of our location in Phuket (Thailand and neighboring countries visible)

    100% Zoomed out of our location in Phuket (African continent visible along with Asian countries and Australia) (Satellite Shot)

    100% Zoomed out of our location in Phuket (African continent visible along with Asian countries and Australia)

    An important example of how Buddhist values affect Thai people can be seen on a day-to-day basis, such as feeding stray dogs. There is a concept of Buddhism associated with the idea of merit, the idea that completion of positive deeds leads to a stronger and longer life span. This not only extends the span of your life, but it also accumulates positive forces that ensure your constant well-being and health. In this mannerism, we can see the effect of religion on a culture, rather it supports good deeds and maintains a welcoming environment to foreigners.

    Another example of Thai culture is etiquette regarding hygiene. Before entering a place of sacred value, such as a temple, one is expected to remove their shoes or any footwear as the feet are seen as the dirtiest part of the human body. On the other hand, the head is of utmost sacrality. Within my family, my parents often pat me on the head, it is a gesture they do when I say something controversial or conduct a good deed. Before we entered the temple, my father patted me on the head, to which a monk frowned upon him greatly. It was after this incident that my father asked the monk for his disgusted look, to which he responded saying “In Buddhism, the head is the center of life energy and knowledge, tapping on it symbolizes disrespect towards one’s wisdom”. It was through this conversation that I learned why the head is so important in Buddhism, as it is the hub of wisdom and accumulated experiences in a person’s life.

    An important cultural trait visible in Thailand is the respect for Monks. Due to high social status and influence, Monks are seen as highly educated figures in Buddhist countries (Williams, 2018). A cultural element greatly affected by the Cultural system is language, a product of cultural creation. Certain aspects of Thai are only applicable to referencing people of higher orders, such as Monks and cannot be used out of that context. While being in Thailand, I was expected to bow and greet them with a smile, symbols of friendliness and support. Along with cultural elements, the cultural system in Thailand is based on Buddhism and its teachings, as its influence can be seen over Thai customs and internal values.

    I have been impacted by Thai culture through their customs of constant respect and compassion for everyone, never discriminating. The beautiful and peaceful religion of Buddhism has also taught me to behave well, even when nobody is watching me, as ideals such as merit and eventual gratification are occurring. It is not out of fear of God watching me that I behave well and treat those around me with respect, rather it is inter-personal respect that develops through exposure to new cultures and different religious beliefs. Thai culture has also taught me to neither be blinded by my ego nor neglect individuality, rather it has opened my eyes to living a lifestyle that sustains everyone’s happiness along with mine.

Learning how to make Thai Red Curry by a professional chef

    I have affected the culture of Thailand. Rather, it is better to approach this holistically, tourism has greatly affected the Thai economy and perception regarding preservation of cultural beauty. Tourism encourages increased investment in preserving cultural and religious sites through Thailand, which turn betters the appreciation people have for their own culture. By doing so, there are more depictions of traditionality in Thai culture, such as heritage sites which could be lost to rapid urbanization rates. Tourism helps reduce stereotypes and stigmas about certain countries, as their firsthand experiences are often used to compel rumors or falsified information online. Thailand specifically, is a country open to understanding and incorporating foreign cultures to their own as mentioned previously, hence tourism allows for relationships between foreigners and locals to establish, based on acceptance and understanding.

Great White Buddha Statue in Phuket, Thailand

    Overall, my experience in Phuket and Thailand holistically has changed the way I perceive foreign cultures and religions. After my exposure to Buddhism, I’ve become more curious about other religions, while retaining my morals and accumulated beliefs. For this reason, I think Phuket is a place that has shaped my cultural identity along with my religious identity, allowing me to explore without fear of judgement. It has also encouraged me to maintain respect for people despite their cultural differences, as religion and culture should not be used to differentiate, rather to unite.

My dad and I celebrating learning how to somewhat cook a Thai dish 

Place 3 – Vancouver, Canada (August 18th, 2021 - Current)

 

    I grew up in a conservative Islamic country and now reside in a liberally democratic country. There was a drastic culture shock upon arrival, as I was surrounded by such a diverse and multicultural community. I felt out of place, like I didn’t belong to a country with such abstract values and belief systems. This initial feeling of not belonging was short lived, as it were my ethnocentric values that I based my expectations of Canada on. Living in a country like Qatar, where there are heavy restrictions on freedom of expression, emphasis on religion and free speech, I had gotten used to avoiding such topics. Qatari laws are governed by Islamic traditions and influence, often playing a role in how people live their day to day lives. An example would be restriction on skin exposure in public, in Qatar, one must always cover their knees and shoulders in public, a rule that would never exist in Canada. Canada places extra importance in centralizing people’s freedom and ability to exercise their rights under authority. Unlike Qatar, where freedom of speech and expression is somewhat repressed, Canada allows for people to behave and act however they want.  

My friends and I when we went for the fireworks at English Bay beach

    Identity formation in Canada is what is so drastically different compared to Qatar, as people here can freely express themselves whereas in Qatar, such freedom is restricted. Gendered roles are traditionalized in Qatar, as laws are strictly religious, men are seen as the breadwinners and women the caretakers of the home and children. I love Canada because they don’t have these forced gendered preconceptions, rather people can do whatever they want in life and are not forced into religious superstitions and ideologies. Although the social difference between men and women exists everywhere, in Qatar, it is radical, often limiting women’s ability to prosper. Another key element of identity is one’s sexuality, an idea that is taboo to speak of in Qatar and all Middle Eastern countries. More specifically, homosexuality is seen as forbidden and a violation of the Quran, the holy text followed by Islamic states and Muslims globally. On the other hand, this is a direct contrast to how sexuality is perceived Canada. Canadians are open to freedom of expression, often supporting citizens expression of their sexuality. This demonstrates the difference in cultural views and perceptions, often describing its interconnectedness to political standings (Qatar being conservative and Canada being Liberal). Lastly, ethnicity is key to one’s construction of identity. In the Middle East, there are a lot of stigmas and stereotypes regarding certain ethnicities such as Indians and Bangladeshis, as the majority of these two ethnic groups are expats working as laborers in Qatar. Hence, a minority of Qatari’s treat them with disrespect and resentment, often undermining their influence towards the development of Qatar holistically. So far in Canada, I have not experienced any form of discrimination and racism. I feel accepted for my ethnic group, adding onto why Canada is a country that views cultural diversity as a good thing and ensures that foreigners gain a sense of belonging upon arrival.

    I was granted the right to learn about other religions upon arriving in Canada. I interacted with many people who were followers of different beliefs, some of which I had never heard of before such as Confucianism, Taoism and Maoism. Opportunities to learn and be educated regarding different philosophies of life describes the beauty of opportunity in a foreign country, as I am allowed to explore my religious identity with complete freedom while educating myself.

My two best friends, Emi and Jacob (left to right)

    An observation I made whilst studying in Canada is a person’s tendency to acculturate or enculturate into Canadian culture, often rejecting their own culture or succumbing to the local one. Southeast Asians tend to form groups of people with similarities in regional and geographical situation as their own, often enculturating with their original culture instead of assimilating. I have many friends from China who prefer to maintain a group of solely Chinese friends, instead of mixing with others, however this is just a personal observation that should not be used to generalize all Chinese students. On the other hand, I have some friends from China who are extremely eager to conjoin groups of multiethnic friends, hence it may simply be a personal choice or one regarding preservation of cultural identity. I find this concept very intriguing, as it demonstrates the effects of external cultures on one’s cultural identity, implying the significance of an international and diverse educational environment.

My friend Sam and I ice skating in Downtown

    I found that the easiest way to assimilate and truly get to know people of different cultural identities was to participate in drop-in sports and attempt socializing whenever possible. An enthralling example of such an occurrence happened when I decided to try and learn ping pong. I joined the drop-in ping pong group and was originally extremely anxious, however the players and staff were extremely hospitable and accommodating. Since then, 3 semesters later, I have learned so much about the sport through observation and conversing with players daily, allowing me to not only overcome the cultural and lingual barrier, but to take on a new hobby that I now love.

I met two of my closest friends in Vancouver at the ping pong tables during drop-in sports throughout the first semester (this was us building a snowman :))

    There is an increase anxiety among the Canadian population regarding fear of loss of culture, a by-product of disturbingly fast rates of immigration from international students. With rapid rates of immigration, multiculturalism expands, often causing a loss of the local culture present in Canada. Influence of foreign influence can already be seen, often causing transformations in patterns regarding urban ecology. The social demographic of certain cities such as Richmond and Surrey are key examples of how foreign culture affects demographics and overall structures of neighborhoods in Canada. In response to increasing foreign influence, Canada has taken steps towards promoting Cultural Nationalism. A concept describing the promotion of national culture over foreign influence, a response to homogenizing effects produced by globalization and immigration.

 

100% Zoomed out of our location in Vancouver, Canada (United States, partial bits of South America and some parts of Africa are visible)

50% Zoomed out of our location in Vancouver, Canada (United States is visible)

25% Zoomed out of our location in Vancouver

    To end this blog post, I want to say how appreciative I am for these experiences as they have broadened my perception of cultural impact over people's lives. At all three locations, I have experienced the depths of diversity and its significance with regards to a country's dynamics, often being interconnected towards multiple factors. I have learned about different religions and belief systems, which have made me a more open-minded and accepting individual to ideologies foreign to me. These experiences have instigated a personal thirst for curiosity and hunger for knowledge.

Works Cited

 

O'Brien, Barbara. “What Are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?” Learn Religions, Learn Religions, 23 Apr. 2019, https://www.learnreligions.com/the-four-noble-truths-450095.

Rasmussen, Lars, and Jens Rasmussen. Google Maps, Google, Sept. 2008, https://maps.google.com/.

Williams, Sarah. “How Men in Thailand Become Monks.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 23 Apr. 2018, https://theculturetrip.com/asia/thailand/articles/how-men-in-thailand-become-monks/.