Cultural experiences in progress (based on my observations in Slovak Republic)

Year, pages: 2012, 556 - 562

This article is a description of personal experiences to the differences between home (Pakistan) and host (Slovak) cultures that are observed being a participant of both cultures. Some stereotypes are stated that are held by both cultures for each other. It is expressed how these differences and stereotypes along with many other factors play a part in the process of adjustment into a new cultural setting. A person who starts living among people who have different standards to judge a behaviour, is not only judged by their individual characteristics but rather they get the labels of the cultural, religious, national or ethnic identities for their behaviour and vice versa they do the same for those people. At the end, it is expressed how some of the cultural and religious practices are intermingled. While living in Slovakia, interaction with people with the same religion but with different national backgrounds also brings this realization that the differences are not just between ‘Eastern’ and ‘Western’ cultures but they also exist within the same Muslim community. Nonetheless, the essence of life is to value and respect all kinds of differences and diversity.

Azam, S. 2012. Cultural experiences in progress (based on my observations in Slovak Republic). In Slovenský národopis / Slovak Ethnology, vol. 60, no.5, pp. 556-562. 1339-9357.

Azam, S. (2012). Cultural experiences in progress (based on my observations in Slovak Republic). Slovenský národopis / Slovak Ethnology, 60(5), 556-562. 1339-9357.