The impact of culture in the education

  

    The definition of culture is the sum of attitudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguishes one group of people from another. The culture can be transmitted and carried through our language, visual media, written books, schools, and art, from one generation to another. The US is considered as one of the most diverse countries because it consists of many diverse cultures. There are some popular cultures that affect the educational system in schools.  Here I'm going to talk about some cultural tendencies that impact way we participate in education. Also, I'll give some examples of my own and my kids' experiences and expectations when we first came to the US. 
    

          As a student, I was expecting that I should work independently during the class as I used to, but when I came here I was asked to work with peers and have group projects. Here, providing assistance when needed is expected from me, while in my country, helping others is considered cheating. Also, the participation style is different here in US schools, where students are usually active in classroom discussion and have to be engaged with the teacher and with classmates as well. In contrast, Saudi students tend to be quiet, good listeners and only answer the questions when the teacher asks. Seriously, I don't remember any class discussion that happened during my study in Saudi Arabia.   

       
      Regarding the role of parents in education, in our culture we rely on the teacher's expertise in providing academic guidance to our kids. As students' parents our job is assisting them doing their homework, helping them in memorizing the new lessons for the day after in order to ensure their participation, and lastly, reviewing for the exams. In comparison, American parents are involved in their kids' academic progress. Moreover, they are more actively involved in their children's classroom and you see them always visible as a volunteer, assisting the teacher in any school events.   

        
          In conclusion, we shouldn't deny the big impact of culture on our lifestyles and education. The stories we watch in movies, TV shows, the songs we hear, the art we see and the stories we read all reflect the educational system in our schools. Not only do they tell us about the environment of the school, but also they describe the teachers and students images and roles on our schools. Thus, all teachers should understand these cultural differences so they don't make unfair judgments regarding the others' cultural values and behaviors.

education in Saudi Arabia

                                                  The high school in Saudi Arabia   

         The high school in my country takes 3 years to graduate. This phase comes after 9 years of educational levels. The first academic year of high school consists of almost all science subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry and literary/social subjects such as psychology, philosophy and history. While in the second academic year, student has to choose between two tracks; scientific track and literary track. Finally, the third academic year, the student has to complete the track he/she chose in the second year.    

  

        During the first year of high school, students will test their ability and progress in variety of subjects. They are expected to think carefully about the track they are going to select based on their goal and based on the career they want. When student finishes the first year exams, he/she begins to think with their parents about the which track is most suitable to him/her. Unfortunately, parents often preferred scientific track, which qualifies their children to enter the summit colleges such as medicine, engineering, and pharmacy, regardless of their children's potential and their abilities with this track. The third year is the last year of high school, it is considered as the most important phase in student's education life where they have to work hard and do their best in order to get high GPA that qualify them to enter the college they want.   

       

       In conclusion, I would say that the second year is as important as the third year where the student has to take the right decision that meets his ambition as well as compatibility. I would strongly suggest before choosing the track, that the student has to set goals he/she wants to achieve in short and long term. He/she has to know which areas he/she can be creative in. Then decide that those areas belongs to which track and which track will help you achieving your goals, and therefore you can choose between the two tracks. 

My classmates

 
the last class we had to interview each other. I interviewed one of my classmates his name is Amjad Alghamdi. He is 24 years old. He has been student at Cedar Crest College since 2013. He lives with his friends. He likes to cook Arabic food, relax at the beach, and play soccer. He said their soccer is his favorite and best game. He plays everyday with his friend after he is done with his classes. Actually we had a good conversation in class. I asked him about his education. He told me  that he Graduated from high school in 2009. He Deeside  to  study English program in the United State, Philadelphia in 2010. When he went to Philadelphia the first time, it was amazing and great. their wear  more activities in Philadelphia. He went  downtown to see the people around ,and he was  exited by  what he saw. He was happy in Philadelphia for 6 month ago, he decided to go back to Saudi Arabia to visit his family. He was staying there for a couple weeks. In addition he wanted to get married, so he wanted to have his wedding in Baris he shared his desire for the wedding location opinion with his parents, and they said okay.