Tolerance

1. What tools can we use to stay tolerant and be empathic and open-minded? 

To be tolerant is to be respectful of the belief systems or practices of others, either as an individual or as a culture. The term tolerance is often applied in religion or in society as an understanding that others may have different belief systems, or look different.

When we put ourselves in another person’s shoes, we are often more sensitive to what that person is experiencing and are less likely to tease or bully them. By explicitly teaching students to be more conscious of other people’s feelings, we can create a more accepting and respectful school community.

Understanding the culture or practices of others can help a person who feels he or she is not tolerant enough.

Being more tolerant ultimately comes down to deciding to let other people make their own mistakes, as you define them, and live their own lives. It also implies respect for people of all religions and races. Tolerance is promoted by understanding similarities and differences, and inhibited by refusing to express empathy.

There are different tools we can use to stay tolerance and be empathic and open-minded, for example you can start by invite someone of a different background to join your family for a meal or holiday, or affirm the children's curiosity about race and ethnicity. Point out that people come in many shades, for example, you can teach the students about the slave trade in the Americas happening because of one group's intolerance for another group's different skin color or wars that have happened because of one group's intolerance of another group's religion. Or you could discuss with the class why having a tolerant attitude is important, how it can help them become better persons and how it benefits society as a whole.

There are many ways to stay tolerance and open-minded, but tolerance is needed in life so we can live in this society with kindness towards people's backgrounds, cultures, and religions.


2. What kind of questions can you ask in order to reach understanding of a known – unknown situation? Just prepared, asking question to the situation – self evident, keep on asking questions 


Living in a new culture requires you to learn a new set of cultural patterns and behaviors. This process can be very challenging and sometimes uncomfortable. The most important thing to remember is that culture shock is a normal part of the adjustment process.

* ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS = BETTER UNDERSTANDING*

There are many questions you can ask in order to reach understanding of a know - unknown situation:

•    What is the best/most important thing your culture has given to the world?

•    What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language

•    What do you think is interesting about your own culture?

•    When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they usually think of?

These are just some of the questions I would ask to get a better understanding of the known - unknown situation. I don't think that you have to be afraid to share your feelings with others. Talk to other international students about what you are feeling and experiencing. You will probably find that others can relate to how you are