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Insights on Culture and Geography

In a recent lesson on 'Locations and Connections, Cultures and Identities', Nguyen Viet Anh learned about the profound impact of geography on culture, particularly through Professor Shannon Gramse's insights on Alaska. The discussion highlighted the concept of deep culture, emphasizing the invisible values and beliefs that shape behavior and perspectives. The lesson underscored the importance of empathy and respect for diverse ways of life, encouraging a deeper understanding of global citizenship.

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Việt Anh Nguyễn
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6 views2 pages

Insights on Culture and Geography

In a recent lesson on 'Locations and Connections, Cultures and Identities', Nguyen Viet Anh learned about the profound impact of geography on culture, particularly through Professor Shannon Gramse's insights on Alaska. The discussion highlighted the concept of deep culture, emphasizing the invisible values and beliefs that shape behavior and perspectives. The lesson underscored the importance of empathy and respect for diverse ways of life, encouraging a deeper understanding of global citizenship.

Uploaded by

Việt Anh Nguyễn
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Reflection module 1

Student name: Nguyen Viet Anh

Last Sunday, we had an opportunity to join in a fruitful lesson concerning


“Locations and Connections, Cultures and Identities”. Our teacher, Professor Shannon
Gramse, shared with us some great knowledge about his Alaskan origin, geography, and
the rich, diverse culture of his homeland. I was completely surprised by how geography
shapes our culture and influences our ways of living in nearly all aspects.

In the first part of the lesson, what stood out to me most was the discussion about
what culture truly means. I had always thought of culture in terms of visible things like
traditional clothing, food, or celebrations. But this lesson introduced me to the idea of
deep culture, depicted as the lower half of the iceberg in the lesson, the invisible values,
beliefs, and assumptions that shape how people behave and view the world. I found it
fascinating that culture is not something we are always conscious of, but it affects us in
powerful ways; the way we perceive life, our attitudes towards every aspect of life, and
even small little things that we do act as an implicit, yet powerful message that speaks up
for our own culture.

What I found especially interesting was learning about Alaska’s geography and
cultural diversity. Even though Alaska is more than five times the size of Vietnam, its
population is much smaller. However, that small population includes a wide variety of
racial and ethnic groups, especially in cities like Anchorage. I was surprised to see how
diverse it is despite its remote and rugged environment. This reminded me that diversity
doesn’t only exist in big, global cities but it can also thrive in quieter, less populated
places. We also looked at small Alaskan communities like Noatak and Brevig Mission.
Life in these areas is shaped by nature, climate, and strong community ties. It made me
realize how geography directly influences people’s daily routines, values, and even how
they connect with each other. Comparing this with life in Vietnam helped me appreciate
the variety of ways people adapt to their environments.

This lesson taught me that being a global citizen is more than traveling or learning
a new language, it’s about developing empathy, curiosity, and respect for different ways
of life. It reminded me to look deeper, listen more, and always be open to learning from
others.

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