After watching the documentary “Home Across Lands”, I have gained a better understanding of the hardships that refugees must go through and the obstacles they must overcome to get and live in America. This documentary shows Kunama refugee’s lives before traveling to American and after they’ve been approved to live in America. It is evident that throughout the film, their culture and physical environment have a major impact of their behavior in both before and after their relocation to the United States. This film gives us a variety of people to listen and learn about the refugee process, in which it shows us that this situation is a reality in that people are suffering in another country and just want to live in a safer environment and live a life full of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Out of all of the individuals that were shown throughout the film, I will just be focusing on Ibrahim Aray and how his culture and physical environment impacts his behavior. As discussed in our textbook, culture is a complex concept as it includes “multiple level of traditions, values, and beliefs, as well as social, biological, and natural acts” (Hutchison, p. 205, 2012). When Ibrahim Aray was at the job orientation, there was a discussion about the differences in values and beliefs among different cultures. Catherine Kelly provides examples of some cultural differences of manners such as maintaining eye contact and punctuality. Catherine Kelly, the job development coordinator at the International Institute of RI, works and help new arrivals find jobs and help them to ultimately be self-sufficient as soon as possible. One of her jobs in particular is to help refugees be aware of the different manners that are and are not accepted in American culture. She discusses that in their culture they might view direct eye contact as being disrespectful; however, in America, people may find averting their gaze as disrespectful or rude. She also discusses how in other
…show more content…
Natural environment is a part of the behavior settings theory where the natural environment can “affect our thinking, feeling, social interaction, and health” (Hutchinson, p. 224, 2012). As the film first starts, all we see is dirt and dust being blown in the wind as cars drive down the road. To me, this scenery would not benefit my health compared to looking at grass, trees, and flowers. According to the textbook, “three features of the natural environment have been found to be particularly influential on emotional states: water, trees, and sunlight” (Hutchinson, p. 225-226, 2012). Although the environment in Kunama has sunlight, it does not have the green trees and water that can benefit a person’s overall health. Without easy access to water, it makes it almost impossible to provide food by growing crops and the lack of water can cause dehydration. With this lack of resources available in the environment, it creates emotions of stress, fatigue, and depression. As seen in the film, the people in the refugee camp in Kunama seem depressed, bored, and miserable. Because of the environment, they have nothing to do within the camp besides to wait to be transported to the US. So for Ibrahim Aray to go from Kunama’s natural environment to America’s environment, we can see a remarkable change in his attitudes, feelings, and behavior. The environment appeals to the eye more and creates a happier environment than staring at dirt all day. Also, with the resources that he needs, he is able to do more within the community besides waiting around doing
Natural environment is a part of the behavior settings theory where the natural environment can “affect our thinking, feeling, social interaction, and health” (Hutchinson, p. 224, 2012). As the film first starts, all we see is dirt and dust being blown in the wind as cars drive down the road. To me, this scenery would not benefit my health compared to looking at grass, trees, and flowers. According to the textbook, “three features of the natural environment have been found to be particularly influential on emotional states: water, trees, and sunlight” (Hutchinson, p. 225-226, 2012). Although the environment in Kunama has sunlight, it does not have the green trees and water that can benefit a person’s overall health. Without easy access to water, it makes it almost impossible to provide food by growing crops and the lack of water can cause dehydration. With this lack of resources available in the environment, it creates emotions of stress, fatigue, and depression. As seen in the film, the people in the refugee camp in Kunama seem depressed, bored, and miserable. Because of the environment, they have nothing to do within the camp besides to wait to be transported to the US. So for Ibrahim Aray to go from Kunama’s natural environment to America’s environment, we can see a remarkable change in his attitudes, feelings, and behavior. The environment appeals to the eye more and creates a happier environment than staring at dirt all day. Also, with the resources that he needs, he is able to do more within the community besides waiting around doing