http://lavidaidealist.org/2010/02/03/seeing-the-world-in-new-ways/ Stories and Resources from Idealists in Latin America Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:25:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://lavidaidealist.org/2010/02/03/seeing-the-world-in-new-ways/comment-page-1/#comment-766 Every nation seems to have a bias against another. Why? | La Vida Idealist Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:22:26 +0000 http://lavidaidealist.org/?p=3654#comment-766 [...] Kent most recently left his post as an English teacher in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica and is currently traveling. To see what he’s up to, check out his blog or follow him on Twitter. For more on confronting bias, check out Tom Hemingway’s post, “Seeing the World in New Ways.” [...] [...] Kent most recently left his post as an English teacher in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica and is currently traveling. To see what he’s up to, check out his blog or follow him on Twitter. For more on confronting bias, check out Tom Hemingway’s post, “Seeing the World in New Ways.” [...]

]]> http://lavidaidealist.org/2010/02/03/seeing-the-world-in-new-ways/comment-page-1/#comment-513 Endless Latin America | La Vida Idealist Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:46:48 +0000 http://lavidaidealist.org/?p=3654#comment-513 [...] more from Tom, check out his other post, Seeing the World in New Ways. For more about Guatemala, check out posts by La Vida Idealist bloggers Lisa Hetzel and Miranda [...] [...] more from Tom, check out his other post, Seeing the World in New Ways. For more about Guatemala, check out posts by La Vida Idealist bloggers Lisa Hetzel and Miranda [...]

]]> http://lavidaidealist.org/2010/02/03/seeing-the-world-in-new-ways/comment-page-1/#comment-360 Scorpions and Tarantulas and Rats, Oh My! | La Vida Idealist Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:28:57 +0000 http://lavidaidealist.org/?p=3654#comment-360 [...] La Vida Idealist posts: “The Experience: Enjoying Your Time As a Volunteer,” “Seeing the World in New Ways,” “Living in Two Worlds at Once,” and “Talk to [...] [...] La Vida Idealist posts: “The Experience: Enjoying Your Time As a Volunteer,” “Seeing the World in New Ways,” “Living in Two Worlds at Once,” and “Talk to [...]

]]> http://lavidaidealist.org/2010/02/03/seeing-the-world-in-new-ways/comment-page-1/#comment-328 Lauren Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:35:45 +0000 http://lavidaidealist.org/?p=3654#comment-328 Hey Tom - thanks for the interesting post. I find that I definitely suffer from "Need for Closure" bias. The slow and open-ended way of life in South America was really hard for me to handle at first (and still). I always want an answer, the task to be complete - can we finish this now?? I'm learning that it just doesn't happen like that. Knowing the bias is helpful....might take a little longer to overcome. Hey Tom – thanks for the interesting post. I find that I definitely suffer from “Need for Closure” bias. The slow and open-ended way of life in South America was really hard for me to handle at first (and still). I always want an answer, the task to be complete – can we finish this now?? I’m learning that it just doesn’t happen like that. Knowing the bias is helpful….might take a little longer to overcome.

]]> http://lavidaidealist.org/2010/02/03/seeing-the-world-in-new-ways/comment-page-1/#comment-327 Brett Veerhusen Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:26:24 +0000 http://lavidaidealist.org/?p=3654#comment-327 Well written Tom! I agree that we all have blind spots, and it is very tough to spot them within ourselves. I know one of mine in Nicaragua is the community member's way of not saying "no", rather, finding a way around it. For a while, I just couldn't understand why they wouldn't just say no, until I took my position as a white guy into their perspective. Years and years of land being taken away and cultures vanishing now means sometimes saying no is too abrasive for their culture. Its now more ingrained to stay somewhat hidden, and best not to disturb the newcomer. There are many other reasons for this as well, but this is one that I've learned through our community teams and must keep it in mind when I am speaking to community members. Thanks for the post! Well written Tom! I agree that we all have blind spots, and it is very tough to spot them within ourselves. I know one of mine in Nicaragua is the community member’s way of not saying “no”, rather, finding a way around it. For a while, I just couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t just say no, until I took my position as a white guy into their perspective. Years and years of land being taken away and cultures vanishing now means sometimes saying no is too abrasive for their culture. Its now more ingrained to stay somewhat hidden, and best not to disturb the newcomer. There are many other reasons for this as well, but this is one that I’ve learned through our community teams and must keep it in mind when I am speaking to community members. Thanks for the post!

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