Cultural Interviews and Assessment Essay Example for Free

Cultural Interviews and Assessment Essay I am interviewing a 32-year-old male (X) from the India who has been a resident of the San Jose in the US state of California since the last 10 years. He is employed as a Software engineer in one of the software MNCs in urban parts of California. Regarding, the Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) population in the US, they are one of the fastest growing population in the US. In the year 1999, the population was about 11 million and it is expected to grow to about 20 million by 2020. In 1999, 4 % of the US population was APIA, 12 % Hispanics and 11 % African-Americans. The APIA come from several parts of the world including India, China, Pakistan, Polynesia, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Korea, Vietnam, etc. One of the favorite locations in the US, the APIA population would like to settle is in the state of California. The APIA make up for about 12 % of the California population in 1999. They come from various cultural backgrounds and have diverse needs. They are one of the most diverse groups in the US, and it is difficult to fulfill their health problems due to diverse healthcare needs. Let us now go through the entire interview process: Socio-economic factors – Mr. X earns about 45, 000 US dollars every month. He is employed in a software-MNC. None of his other family members are working. He is married and has one child. Although he came to the US in 1997, he brought his family down to the US about a year back. Mr. X feels happy that he is able to earn a good income in the US and is more or less settled. He feels that many of the Indians in the US are earning far less and are belonging to the poverty groups. However, he also feels that the organization he is working in is a small organization and the income provided is less compared to other organizations. Lifestyle – MR. X is not leading a very healthy lifestyle. Earlier as his family was not with him, he used to eat his food in eat-outs and restaurants. Due to this, he is unable to lead a healthy life. However, once his family has come home, he is able to eat a traditional Indian meal and due to this, his nutritional status has improved. He is now able to consume a balanced diet. Mr. X and his family members consume a vegetarian diet. Mr. X smokes about 5 cigarettes a day and consumes about 2 servings of alcohol (especially whisky and rum) on Saturdays and Sundays. He is able to sleep only for about 6 to 7 hours a day. This is due to excessive workload. Although his duty timings are only 8 hours, he puts in an extra 5 hours work at home. During the weekend, he has to work from home at least for 5 hours on Saturdays and Sundays. He usually gets together in family meeting and religious ceremonies on Saturdays and Sundays. Family Values – Mr. X has not had much of a family life in the US. This is because his wife and child were staying back in India, as they were unable to come to the US earlier. However, in the last one-year his wife and child have come down to California and are staying with him. His son is an 8-year-old kid, who has just joined a US Elementary school. The child goes to school for about 4 hours in a day, from Monday to Friday. Prior to this one-year, the only members of his family in the US were his cousins, uncles and aunts, who reside about 20 miles from his home. Mr. X feels that in India, family values are given a great amount of importance. Down in India, people stay in a common house with the family members. This is especially seen in villages and small towns. Family meetings are conducted every day and usually food is consumed and prayers are said in a family. During the earlier days when he had just come to the US, Mr. X had stayed with one of his maternal aunt in California. However, as his condition began to improve and his job was settled, he shifted to a separate residence. However, he continues to meet his family members during weekends. Mr. X also makes important decisions after taking the advice of the elders in the family. This is also the case in India, where elders are given a lot of respect and value. In case of any personal problem, he would first call up his uncle, a man of 67 years, and explain his problem to him. Religious preferences – Mr. X belong to a high caste Hindu family in India, and actively practice his religion. During the weekends, he attends for prayers in a temple in California. He usually makes a trip along with family members. He does follow intricate religious practices at home and at his workplace. He consumes a vegetarian diet and would take care especially whilst eating out. During the morning and before starting work, Mr. X chants a few short prayers. This he also does after he finishes work and before going to bed. His wife and child are also religious like him. He accompanies his family members during the weekends for a trip to their local temple. The local temple is about 25 miles away from their home. They also consume a vegetarian diet. In California, the number of vegetarian restaurants and eat-outs are less, due to which he has experienced problems. Health and practices – Mr. X enjoys a good state of health compared to the other APIA’s in the US. It is also important to note that the APIA’s enjoy a much better health status compared to the Whites, African-Americans and the Hispanics. In the year 1999, Mr. X suffered a bout of malaria. He suffered from the illness for about 15 days, and required admission in the Hospital. During his earlier days in the US, Mr. X did not have health insurance. Hence, he had to pay for his hospital bills. In the year 2000, the organization he was working with provided him with health insurance, which helps him to meet with his health expenditure. As Mr. X smokes excessively and due to his work-related habits, he suffers from asthmatic attacks frequently. He uses a small pump that provides Broncho-dilators. He has to consume two puffs twice a day as suggested by the physician. He also follows the advice on food and exercises suggested by the physician. Sometimes during winter months, Mr. X requires hospitalization for difficulty in breathing. This has occurred frequently in the last 4 years. His hospital bill is now covered by health insurance. The physician has repeatedly suggested to give up smoking and to follow better work-related practices, which Mr. X has ignored. The access to health is good, as Mr. X resides in an urban area. He has a hospital providing ultra-modern facilities located about 1 mile from his residence. The hospital also has physicians, specialists and nurses who are from an Indian background. This makes him a special patient at the hospital. He does feel that his physician is able to communicate with him appropriately and understand his health problem. As Mr. X has his family come in newly into the US, they do not have health insurance. However, he plans to subscribe to health insurance for them within the next six months. So far his wife and child did not require hospitalization. However, MR. X frequently takes his son for health checkups and immunizations to the pediatrician. His wife visits a female gynecologist frequently, to ensure that problems with her periods are addressed properly. She does prefer going to an Indian female gynecologist, but is unable to do so as there is a shortage of medical staff from other cultures in the US. Due to problems with financing (uninsured), she is unable to afford seeing an Indian gynecologist from another hospital. MR. X’s physician and pediatrician both belong to the Indian community. Child-bearing/parenting practices – Mr. X has just one son, and he plan to have one more child in the near future. However, he says that during the pregnancy period, he plans to send his wife and son back home to India, as he may be unable to take appropriate care of his wife. As family values are give great importance in India, Mr. X wishes that his son stays with him even after crossing the age of 16 or 18. He wants his soon to mix about with other children in the US, but at the same time follow Indian traditions regarding religion, diet and customs. Other issues – Mr. X and is family members do understand English and do not have any problem communicating with the people in the US. Mr. X may not consider preventive medical care. However, he does visit the local physician frequently to take medical advice and go in for routine checkups. Mr. X feels that more physicians, nurses and specialists from the Indian communities should be available to fulfill the need of the Indians in California. Mr. X also feels that the local government and the Federal government have not addressed several of the problems faced by the APIA communities in the US. This is with regards to health insurance, health access, education, working conditions, immigration status, etc. References: Ro, M. â€Å"Overview of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States and California. † Center for Alternative Policies. 1999. 9 Nov 2007. http://www. communityvoices. org/Uploads/om3gfk55hhzyvrn00n4nerbf_20020828090003. pdf Srinivasa, S. â€Å"Toward Improved Health: Disaggregating Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Data. † American Journal of Public Health 90. 11 (2000): 1731-1734. http://www. ajph. org/cgi/reprint/90/11/1731. pdf

Mark Twain not Racist the Adventures of Huckleberry Fin :: essays research papers

There is many racial elements in, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a story that has caused much controversy over the years. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, was published two decades after the civil war was over, yet it is set in a time period before the civil war began so there is many examples of racism and slavery. Mark Twain believed that slavery, and owning slaves was acceptable, but he was not a racist. Mark Twain was for slavery because he grew up in a time period where it was okay to have slaves and it even boosted your social status, to own slaves. â€Å"He cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n. It don’t seem natural...†(155). Mark Twain thought that black people were on a lower level of social status than white people, and that they did not care for their families as much as white people did. â€Å"And then think of me! It would get all around that Huck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom, and if I was ever to seen anybody from that town again I’d be ready to get down and lick his boots for shame†(212). In the 1860's it was considered immoral and a sin to help a slave into freedom. Mark Twain’s character, Huckleberry Finn, is ashamed that he helped the slave Jim to escape, yet he is good to Jim, so there is a bit of conflicting interests in Huck’s and Jim’s relationship. Mark Twain was not a racist because he did not portray Huckleberry Finn as one in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. â€Å"People would call me a low-down abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum, but that don’t make no difference†(43). Huck new it was wrong to help Jim escape, but that was his friend and he did not care was the other people thought. â€Å"All right, then, I’ll go to hell†(214). Huck decides that he doesn’t want to give up Jim’s locations so he decides to rip up the letter that he was going to send to Jim’s owner Miss Watson, even if it meant that he would go to hell for committing what he believed was a sin. â€Å"I saved him by telling the men we had smallpox aboard, and he was so grateful, and said I was the best friend old Jim ever had in the world, and the only one he’s got now†(214).

Madyson Minnich

Hinduism and Buddhism are the third and fourth largest world religions, respectively. Many might reason that the two are one in the same, but they are not. These two religions are both unlike and alike, but let's visit what is different and similar about them. They both originated in the ancient Indian subcontinent. An advanced civilization, known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was the root of Dravidian Culture. Later this area was invaded by the people known as Aryans. The Dravidians had a very developed spiritual culture while the Aryans were nature worshipers. In contrast, these two religions are very different from each other. Hinduism and Buddhism religions drew beliefs from these two combined cultures. They mutually believe in reincarnation named samsara which means the cycle of life, death, and reincarnation. Even though they both believe in reincarnation, their theories on the process differ from each other. Buddhists believe that you want to avoid reincarnation and enter Nirvana. Nirvana is where your soul is at perfect peace. They must have a perfect soul and be cleansed to meet Braham, the source and creator of all life according to the Buddhist religion. Hindus believe that you want to be reincarnated into something better than you were in your previous life. Reincarnation in Hinduism depends on how much karma one has. Karma is the reward or punishment for the person's actions and reactions. For instance, if you do good deeds throughout your life, you would be reincarnated into something or someone better. If you steal or commit crimes in your life, you would be reincarnated into someone or something worse than you previously were. Like Hinduism, Buddhism believes in karma in that you take it with you into your next life, but reasons it is just a small part of one's life and that a person can change the result. Religions of the world worship multiple gods, but some religions do not believe in any gods. Hinduism and Buddhism both believe in gods. Buddhism has multiple gods, also known as polytheism. Hindus believe in one supreme god, Brahman, but can believe in whatever gods they want. They can be polytheistic, monotheistic, or not believe in any. The fact that Hindus can worship many gods like Buddhists, that makes them similar. There are different people who established the two religions. Buddhism was formed from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, or better known as Buddha. Buddha was a regular person who wanted to find the meaning of life. Hinduism was based on the Aryan culture and not attributed to a single founder. Both religions believe in following a path or reaching certain goals, but their goals and paths are still very different. Hindus, people who practice Hinduism, believe in the four stages of life. Buddhists, people who practice Buddhism, believe in the eightfold path. The four stages of life include kama, artha, dharma, and moksha. These steps are also known as Student Stage, Householder Stage, Hermit Stage, and Wandering Ascetic Stage. Buddhism's eightfold path has many steps or stepping-stones to reach true nature. The eight steps are a perfect vision, perfected emotions, perfect speech, integral action, proper livelihood, complete energy, complete awareness, and full meditation and one-pointedness of mind. That is one of the ways that help Buddhists in reaching a better spiritual life or nirvana. Another similarity between the two religions is their belief in dharma. Dharma refers to the natural order of the Universe, moral behavior, and appropriate actions. But, dharma has different meanings to each religion. In Hinduism, dharma is the ethical and spiritual law governing individual behavior. In Buddhism, dharma is the dogma, the common truth mutual to all persons always. There are books that hold holy writings or how to practice a certain religion. Mutually, Hinduism and Buddhism have a holy book, but each is different. Hindus have the Vedas and Buddhists have the Tripitaka. The Vedas has hymns, rituals, and poems. It also has the Buddhists duties for their different social classes. The Tripitaka has the teachings of Buddha and rules for Buddhist monks. As you can see, there are many differences between Buddhism and Hinduism than there are similarities. They both have holy books and gods. Though they are both different with their beliefs on how to reach their Nirvana or gods. They might also believe in reincarnation, but both have different opinions on it. Even with their differences, they are both great religions and were interesting to learn about.Kumar, M. (2018, January 09). Difference Between. Retrieved October 9, 2018, from http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-buddhism-and-hinduism/Allen, J. (1996). A Basic Buddhism Guide: The Eightfold Path. Retrieved October 9, 2018, from https://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/8foldpath.htmStclair, A. (2012). Buddhism vs. Hinduism ( Compare & Contrast Diagram). Retrieved October 9, 2018, from https://creately.com/diagram/example/ha2lr9kv2/Buddhism vs. HinduismDas, S. (2018, August 10). What Are the 4 Stages of Life in Hinduism? Retrieved October 9, 2018, from https ://www.thoughtco.com/stages-of-life-in-hinduism-1770068Requirements:‘1' Margins  Times New Roman12 pt FontDoubled SpaceAPA FormatTwo Pages of Information

Developing A Healthy Organizational Culture Essay

Human Resources approach performs an extremely essential function in creating and maintaining competitive advantage; many organizations disregard the importance of HR in creating competitive advantage. The three priorities will require a major transformation in the organization. HR strategy should support the conversion, and help the workforces to acclimatize in a different environment. One major objective of the innovative HR strategy will be to create a healthy organizational culture that supports innovation, collaboration, and intercontinental operation. Leadership plays an enormously important role in developing a healthy organizational culture. (Dessler, 2013) Furthermore, the innovative HR strategy will provide the workforces a platform where they can express their opinion, thoughts, recommendations, and perspectives for the conception of a more productive workplace. The workforces can also share their views on how to create a supportive organizational culture. The personnel will likewise share their ideas and recommendations on improving processes, cutting expenditure, reducing waste etc. The Availability of such platform will improve employee satisfaction, create a sense of ownership, involve employees in decision making, and motivate employees to achieve their individual as well as organizational objectives. (Dessler, 2013) Additionally, the modernistic HR strategy will develop a workforce preparation procedure that can determine the critical abilities and skills ofShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Innovative Hr Strategy For Developing Healthy Organizational Culture1869 Words   |  8 Pagessupport the conversion, and help the workforces to acclimatize in different environment. One major objective of the innovative HR strategy will be to create a healthy organizational culture that supports innovation, collaboration, and intercontinental operation. Leadership plays enormously important role in developing healthy organizational culture. (Dessler, 2013) Furthermore, the innovative HR strategy will provide the workforces a platform where they can express their opinion, thoughts, recommendationsRead MoreOrganizational Culture and Its Effects on Team Development and Effectiveness1566 Words   |  6 PagesIndividual Assignment: Organizational Culture and Team Effect Paper Explore how organizational culture develops and how it affects team development and effectiveness Organizational cultures develop over time thus the need to adopt and integrate valuable components towards realization of effective and efficient development of the organizational cultures. Understanding of the organizational culture is an essential aspect towards the achievement of quality culture with the aim of enhancing the outputRead MoreOrganizational Culture Assesment1717 Words   |  7 PagesCase Analysis B: Organizational Culture Assessment Life is stressful and the value of the healthy organization is measured by the quality of the work-life balance of the employees. Even the best-managed organizations have stressors occurring on the regular and the irregular periods. Those regular stressors, such as quarterly reports or financial tides are expected. The unplanned and often unsuspected stressors occur within the organization. These unplanned stressors will create chaos and an unhealthyRead MoreThe Need for a Strong Safety Culture in the Workplace Essay1008 Words   |  5 PagesThe death of twenty-nine workers in an explosion at an underground mine site is a catastrophic example that demonstrates the critical need for a strong safety culture in the workplace. Ben Heineman, the author of the article â€Å"Valuing Safety is Good for Companies’ Bottom Line,† (2010) suggests that â€Å"culture consists of the shared principles and shared practices which influence how people in organizations feel, think, and behave.† Today, most industries view strong safety regulations as a crucialRead MoreAddressing Employee Stress Creates Sense1547 Words   |  7 PagesFinancially speaking, addressing employee stress makes sense. A PwC investment analysis report from 2014  found initiatives and programs that fostered a resilient and mentally healthy workplace returned $2.30 for every dollar spent. In addition to this financial capital finding, organizational research has demonstrated a positive relationship between employee resilience and performance (Luthans, Avolio, Walumbwa, Li, 2005). The results are clear: many Americans have little difficulty identifyingRead More Leadership vs. Management Essay979 Words   |  4 Pages  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The culture of an organization is embodied in its vision as well as the actions and attitude of its employees. Managers can sometimes sustain the skeleton of the company culture but it takes a leader to invigorate it and keep it healthy. A manager works hard at keeping the â€Å"old† culture and a leader works even harder at ensuring the culture is innovative and breathing in each of its employees. Both are concerned with the company culture, but only the leader will make sure the culture is evolvingRead MoreLeadership vs. Management1020 Words   |  5 Pages The culture of an organization is embodied in its vision as well as the actions and attitude of its employees. Managers can sometimes sustain the skeleton of the company culture but it takes a leader to invigorate it and keep it healthy. A manager works hard at keeping the old culture and a leader works even harder at ensuring the culture is innovative and breathing in each of its employees. Both are concerned with the company culture, but only the leader will make sure the culture is evolvingRead MoreThe Leadership Model : Inclusive Leadership And Organizational Culture Among A Diverse Global Group Of Employees1065 Words   |  5 Pagesof all subordinates regardless of race, creed, color or national origin play an equally important role in the strategic organizational plan. Such traits allow leaders to effectively engage with subordinates of a wide variety of cultural, demographic, and social constrictions. This assignment will address the role of inclusive leadership in stre ngthening the organizational culture among a diverse global group of employees. The organization is planting business operations in Greece, Singapore, GermanyRead MoreCitigroup : A Leading Multinational Investment Banking And Financial Services Corporation1653 Words   |  7 Pagesvirtual teams of five client service representatives and meeting the stated goals for the department. How well these teams perform will be a direct reflection of how effectively my leadership skills will influence our organizational culture. Empowering Leadership and Organizational Culture The expectations for today’s workforce are as diverse as the workforce itself. With changes in workplace trends driven by new technology and Millennials and Generation Z’ers becoming the largest share of the AmericanRead MoreEmployee Health And Wellness Definition Essay948 Words   |  4 PagesThe purpose of an employee wellness program is to promote healthier employees who because they are healthy are happier more productive employees (Danna Griffin, 1999). Wellness programs have positive outcomes for both the employer and the employee (Danna Griffin, 1999). According to Chenoweth (n. d.) â€Å"for wellness initiatives to succeed, they must be an intrinsic part of an organization’s culture† (p. 1). Additionally, in order to have a successful wellness program leadership must be supportive