Classroom Observation Paper

The misconception of culture is that it is usually connoted with races or ethnicities; however, there is culture everywhere. Universities have diverse cultures and within universities are subgroups that act differently as well. It is its own form of art, and can be thoroughly analyzed with patience and effort. When exploring the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, it is known as one of most diverse school in the United States. There are many students who come from different places, and all their cultures collide at this one institute. Students adapt to these differences, and are possibly influenced by their traditions. When I explored the gaming room in the student union (S.U.), it provided a clear example of having its own culture when I observed

There were more males than females for both the times I visited that section of the S.U., and each time I observed the area, there were probably 4-5 girls and 20 or more boys. It’s possible that those girls were only there for their boyfriends. Each girl I observed was there with a guy, and based on their interactions with each other I’m assuming that they’re intimate in some way. I noticed that most of the guys I saw had a peculiar look to them. What I mean by peculiar is by basically looking some what like a geek. In my perspective geeks wear glasses, have acne, and wear baggy clothes. However, my expectations on their type of behavior changed. I assumed that they would be extremely shy, or antisocial, but I was completely wrong. When I observed each group, they were socializing with each other and not isolating themselves. During my time in the gaming room, I did get to interview some of the students, and none of them appeared shy or hesitant when answer my question. At times, sections of the room such as the T.V. lounge area, would get excessively loud, and some students would use vulgar language. When I observed this kind of behavior, I came to a conclusion that most of the students in this room wouldn’t exercise this type of attitude at home. I do not think students would yell at their parents with excessive language since that would be disrespectful, and parents would not

In the story “Mother Tongue,” by Amy Tan she talks about the different English she uses with her mother compared with her colleagues. Tan said she used “the kind of English [she] have never used with her” (Tan, 489) mother. For most students in the gaming room who have immigrant parents, they most likely have to speak with their parents with a different behavior and form of language. I can relate since my parents are immigrants from Vietnam, and my form of English with them is completely different than the way I talk to my friends. Before evaluating the gaming room, my first assumption was that everything was going to be crazy, loud, and chaotic, but it was the exact opposite. During my time in there, everyone wasn’t too loud. They looked relaxed, and like they were doing their own thing. Some were even on their laptops doing homework. The reason why I thought it would be loud, was because every time I passed by there were many people making facial expressions as if they were shouting, and excessive movement. For example, when I was walking by the area, I saw these two guys chasing their friends