Date-a-world

Are our perceptions of other countries and their ways of life accurate? Let’s hope so: The interaction between members of different cultures has become an increasingly relevant dialogue in our globalized times.

Next Thursday there will be a chance for a cross-cultural conversation to start at the Multicultural Center’s “Dating Around the World,” an event designed to help Portland State students interact with students from different cultures.

Dating is different for everyone, especially across cultures, and “Dating Around the World” attempts to bridge the gaps between those with disparate cultural backgrounds.

“Even when you think you have a good grasp on somebody’s culture, if you come to this event you’ll realize that there’s still a lot more that you have to learn,” said International Student Life Advisor Sarah Kenney, who is from just outside London.

Students from the International Cultural Service Program (a scholarship program for international students) are volunteering as participants for this event. The program coordinates cultural events and presentations to help facilitate understanding of and appreciation for other cultures.

Students who are part of the program are required to fulfill 90 hours of cultural community service throughout the academic year. “Dating Around the World” has been a long-standing part of their programming.

The evening will be organized around a format called the World Cafe model, where the volunteers will sit at a table and attendees will have a chance to speak with them concerning their respective cultural and dating practices.

Then students each share their unique perspective. After approximately 10–15 minutes, the enquirers then rotate to another table. The model is designed to make for an interactive and engaging experience.

“The focus is on talking to our international students about what it’s like to come here and [get] involved in dating with people from different cultures,” Kenney said. “That’s a really important part of students coming here, and their understanding of what it’s like to be away from home.”

“Dating Around the World” will take place immediately before the Take Back the Night event as part of the April Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Representatives from the Women’s Resource Center, Queer Resource Center, Student Legal Services and Campus Public Safety Office will also be available to answer questions.

Bridging the gap between cultures requires understanding. This event is an opportunity for experiences to be shared, knowledge to be gained and an underlying understanding of other cultures to be established.

Many of those involved in the event reiterate a common theme—the need for open, clear discussion that will shine a light on the varied and often misunderstood courtship rituals of different cultures across the globe.

“In African culture we do lobola [bride price],” said Jeffret Madondo, a PSU student from Zimbabwe who will be participating in his first “Dating Around the World” event. “Some people may look at it like you’re paying money: They don’t understand that there’s more depth to it than just paying money. I’m hoping people reach that level…where they appreciate different dynamics of relationships and cultures.”

ICSP Advisor Anna Gindlesperger stressed the importance of providing an open forum for frank discussion and shared understanding.

“It’s a safe place where they can talk about dating in their home country: controversial topics, taboo topics and also just the general aspect of dating across cultures,” she said.

The program is sponsored through a collaboration between the PSU Cultural Centers, International Student and Scholar Services and the Organization of International Students. This is the first time that “Dating Around the World” will be included as part of the April Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“People have lots of perceptions about the culture and about what people are supposed to do,” said Lola Aminova, a PSU student from Uzbekistan who has previously been on a question-and-answer panel for the program. “This is an opportunity to show that not all of the perceptions are right: Some of the cultures might have traditions that people think are out of date, but there’s a meaning under every tradition. There’s something different than just what you see.

“Students had a chance to ask the questions [of we] who were on the panel,” Aminova said. “We, at the same time, had the chance to ask questions [of] the people. We also have our own perceptions of the U.S., so this is…the place to share the knowledge.”

Ultimately, “Dating Around the World” is a place for people to share knowledge and understanding and to change the perceptions people might have.

“I think students can learn from this event, respecting other cultures’ dating patterns,” said Keisuke Matsushima, a PSU student from Japan. “We live in a time of diverse [societies] now.”