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Show ARTS & CULTURE ON CAMPUS 8 U.S. culture, He would likely be on a stage shaking hands with the presenter, but in Cambodian culture he has to bow down, hold his palms together and avoid eye contact. Ben Pok code switches S Ben sat down with the Cambodian prince and crossed his legs. Each time the prince spoke, Ben responded back, sometimes with a question or counter statement. His friend, sitting in the next seat, leaned over and whispered, Dude, what the hell is going on? This is not okay. Though crossed legs and conversational responses are not considered inap- propriate behavior in the United States, different cultures have different standards for conduct presenting challenges for students who are part of multiple cultures. In this case, Westminster ASW President Ben Pok didnt switch back to the norms of his home culture while in Phnom Penh, Cambodia two summers ago a phenomenon known as code switching. Code switching is the alternating between two or more languages, said Dr. Tamara Stevenson, a communication professor at Westminster College. Other applications of code switching can apply to dress or presentation, depending on the environments or atmospheres that you are going between. Switching between two different languages and cultures isnt easy, said Pok, and. being an international student at a grounds, Stevenson said. Everyone is more exposed and informed to the differwrong. Pok said he holds fast to the culture ent ways people live and exist and learn. he grew up with, which often contradicts Stevenson said many people engage in code switching to ease into environments his responsibilities as president including representing the interests of the study different from their own, to avoid drawing attention to themselves or to build a sense body in meetings with college administraof belonging. tion. I had to get used to it, he said. In my Youre demonstrating that you can and do belong in that space, she said. culture, when you talk to a person who is older or higher in ranking than you, you Though code switching can be diffidont question them; you respect them. It cult for students from different cultures, isnt a back and forth debate. You sit there Vasquez said having a wide range of indiand avoid eye contact. viduals. from different backgrounds allows Pok said there are still times when he people on campus to learn more about wonders if he should say something or if other cultures. campus. he maybe went too far, but he said it helps Thats how w t create good relationWestminster can still work on increasing diversity, she said. I think thats him to think about the people who voted ships with people from around the world essential and its hard to get rid of your for him and how they would want him to is by better understanding who they are and where they come from, Vasquez said. prejudices if youve never interacted with speak up. So he does. If youve never interacted with somebody According to the National Survey of people who are different from yourself. from another country, then your assumpStudent Engagement (NSSE), creating Pok said he pictured his college experience as sitting in the grass with his mullearning environments that promote and tions and stereotypes are all you have. value Pok said he now works to share his tiracial friends, but said that description diversity and intentionally exposing comstudents to multiple, (sometimes doesnt match his time at Westminster. upbringing with the campus that elected that as him. The cultural barriers arent prompeting) perspectives challenge preis unexamined I wanted to make a difference, not for Pok would one inent as I thought they be, viously assumptions said. When I was running for ASW promising approach linked to preparing my sake but for the betterment of the student body, Pok said. I ran the first term culturally competent individuals. president last year, a lot of people quesWhen you build community in your because I truly believed there was nobody tioned my ability to serve especially beelse that would pour in the same amount cause I was 17 years old and I had only classroom, students are more open to difof effort I would. been in the states for two years. The only ferent perspectives, experiences and back private American college poses many other challenges. I think the one year of high school I spent in the U.S. really helped me acclimate to U.S. culture and it definitely makes it easier to lead, Pok said. Are there instances where people sometimes look down or say some slightly offensive things about me and my ability to lead? Yes. Because, you know, Im young and Im not white. Alison Vasquez, director of international student services and study abroad, said the college still has some work to do with promoting diversity and inclusion on STEPHANIE BROWN-RICHARDSTAFF REPORTER - for success thing I wanted to do then was prove them |