Harvard Class Day 2019 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

International student shares her experience and misconceptions about America based on media stereotypes.

Transcript

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Fellow classmates, friends, family, and faculty, My name is CATHERINE ZHANG. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] I AM A PROUD RESIDENT OF CABOT HOUSE, STUDYING PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, AND AS YOU MAY HAVE GUESSED, A GRADUATING SENIOR. IT IS MY GREATEST HONOR TO SERVE AS THE FIRST MARSHAL OF THE CLASS OF 2019, AND A HUGE ELCOME TO THE T... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Media stereotypes can shape individuals' perceptions of other cultures and countries, often leading to misconceptions.
• 💱 Cultural experiences and interactions with diverse communities can challenge and change these stereotypes.
• 🔉 The reality of a country or culture cannot be accurately captured by media portrayals.
• ❓ Individual experiences and personal relationships are crucial in understanding and appreciating cultural diversity.
• 😵 Stereotypes can hinder meaningful cross-cultural communication and understanding.
• 🍳 Education and exposure to different perspectives can help break down stereotypes and foster empathy.
• 🧑‍🎓 International students often bring unique perspectives and can contribute to challenging stereotypes within a multicultural environment.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did media stereotypes influence the speaker's perception of America?

The speaker relied on movies to form her initial understanding of America, believing that certain behaviors and experiences were representative of American culture.

Q: What misconceptions did the speaker have about American high schools?

The speaker believed that American high school students could skip class before the teacher dismissed them and that finding a prom date was a significant aspect of American teenage life.

Q: How did the speaker's perception of America change during her time at Harvard?

The speaker realized that stereotypes do not accurately represent the diverse reality of American society and that cultural differences exist even within American communities.

Q: How did the speaker's own experiences challenge her initial stereotypes?

Interacting with classmates from various backgrounds and witnessing different cultural practices at Harvard made the speaker question her preconceived notions and recognize the complexity of American society.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker grew up in Kenya and had limited knowledge about America, relying mostly on media portrayals.

• Movies about American high schools shaped her perception of the country.

• The speaker experienced cultural differences and realized that stereotypes can be misleading.