Exploring the Unspoken Cultural Norms of Learning: My Personal Journey
I always thought that academic performance and good grades were markers of success, but it wasn’t until I left my home country of India to pursue higher education in the United States that I realized how rigid and limiting this perspective could be. What I came to understand was that there are many unspoken cultural norms that define how we learn, and knowing these norms can be transformative.
As a child growing up in India, I was always told that academic excellence was the most important thing, and that success measured by good grades would lead to a successful career and a prosperous life. I soon found out that this mindset was not unique to my own family, but rather a culturally ingrained belief that permeates many aspects of Indian life.
My confidence in this belief was challenged when I moved to the U.S. to pursue higher education. In America, I realized that there was a stark contrast between India’s academic-centric approach – where grades define success – and America’s more experiential model, where hands-on learning and practical application are also highly valued.
While my initial reaction was to feel frustrated and out of place, I eventually learned to adapt and explore new ways of learning. I began to find value in being curious and asking questions, as well as in learning through experiences. The rigid line between grades and success that I had been taught no longer seemed as important.
What I learned from my journey is that there are different cultural norms surrounding learning that define what we believe to be successful learning. These norms are not necessarily right or wrong, but just simply different expressions of how we view and value knowledge. In fact, understanding and adapting to different norms can be an empowering way to approach learning.
Part of this change meant beginning to question the value system I had grown up with and the cultural norms that perpetuate it. I realized that grading-based measures of success were inherently limited, and that there are other important qualities, like curiosity, creativity, and empathy, that should be valued just as highly.
In the end, my journey of exploring unspoken cultural norms taught me to be more open-minded, adaptable, and curious when it comes to learning. I learned to value experiences, curiosity, and creativity as much as I valued good grades. And while I still believe in the value of academic excellence, what mattered most was that I developed a love of learning and a passion for knowledge.
In conclusion, exploring the unspoken cultural norms of learning has been an enriching journey for me, and I believe that more people can benefit from challenging what they believe to be true about learning. By broadening our understanding of what it means to learn, we can develop a more diverse and enriched set of skills that will serve us well throughout our lives.
