Cross Cultural Experience In America

Cross-cultural is an experience where we learn, understand and appreciate another person’s culture, values, and beliefs. For my cross-cultural experience, I interviewed Besarta Kume. She is a fellow student from my class, who is from a Muslim background, and she immigrated to Canada from Kosovo two years ago. Moving to a new country she encountered many obstacles, but mostly experienced language/communication barrier and culture shock.
Uprooting your life and moving to a new country can be scary and lonely notion. However, for Besarta moving to Canada from Kosovo was because of her husband who resides there. She met her husband through her sister’s husband. But if given a choice she would prefer to be back in Kosovo with her parents. So, upon …show more content…
On the other hand, coming to Canada she experienced cultural prejudice, as she did not expect people from various diverse backgrounds residing here. For example, she came across people from ethnic backgrounds such as: Hindu, Chinese, Philippine and Korean. Consequently, she found many cultural differences between her culture and that of main stream Canada. For instance, in her culture they respect the elders, but in Canada it is more laid back. Second is the different types of cuisines in Canada, whereas in Kosovo it is only limited to their traditional food. Third, in the Albanian culture dating is forbidden, but in Canada people are free to date whomever they want. Also, the men women are not treated equally in her culture, but in Canada they are treated equally. In Canada, there are no restrictions from one gender to another. Unlike, the Albanian culture where the boys and girls are treated differently. For example: young girls will have curfew, but none for the boys. Furthermore, moving to a new country some people find it hard in gaining employment because of language barrier and no experience. But for Besarta, she did not have a difficulty time finding a job. Due to her husband and other family members she was able to find a job in her career field which is working with children. Not to mention, her greatest challenge living here as an immigrant is that she is being supported by her husband as she going to school full-time. Unlike back home where she was independent, worked and supported herself. Another thing she finds challenging is that there is nothing familiar in Canada for her, with no one from her side of the family or friends it makes it harder and lonely to live