Culture Circles: A Cultural Self-Awareness Exercise

Abstract

The authors designed an experiential exercise to initiate a dialogue about cultural diversity that encourages students to begin discussing their own cultural background as a source of identity and pride. Students are also asked to imagine themselves with a different cultural identity and to talk about their newly adopted identity as a source of pride. This exercise encourages discussion about diversity from all individuals in a positive atmosphere. The exercise fits the call for students to understand their own cultural roots as a necessary preparatory step to learning about others' cultures. Guidelines for classroom administration and discussion questions are provided.