Ethnographic and Community Analysis - Essay Example

?Ethnographic/Community Analysis Research Essay INTRODUCTION People from different culture, background, ethnic and nationality together form a complete society. Nowadays, it has become an evident scenario where people move from one place to other in search of food or shelter. However, with the changing nature of the world, education has become a prime reason for which people move from one place to other. Owing to this aspect, cultural and ethnic diversity can be apparently observed to be prevailing in educational institutions (Parvis 120-130). In order to depict their specific identity and main cultural heritage, students in educational institutions form clubs based on culture or ethnicity. The Saudi Students Club (SSC) is one of amid those cultural clubs which exist in various educational institutions. It has been noted that the mission and the vision of the club in Boise State University (BSU) is to promote knowledge along with awareness of culture and historical significance of Saudi Arabia. The sole aim of the group is to remove cultural and ethnic barrier between students from Saudi and students belonging to other community within the university (3Boise State University, “Enjoy Saudi Culture at Sept. 27 Celebration”). THESIS STATEMENT The principle intent of the paper is to analyze SSC at Boise State University (BSU). Contextually, the paper would present the sameness and the differences that exist between the members of the groups. This would be performed through practical understanding and research. THE SAUDI STUDENTS CLUB (SSC) IN BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY (BSU) As mentioned earlier, almost every university has clubs based on diverse culture or nationality. The Saudi Students Club (SSC) is quite common in this regard in various universities. Usually, these groups aim at promoting the interest and the welfare of the richness of culture and history of Saudi Arabia. Other cultural groups also set similar kind of objectives for their existence. The SSC in various universities also seemed to be inclined towards ensuring formation of greater affiliation amid the students and the faculties. In this regard, the group strongly believes that by forming greater association between the students and the faculties, the students of Saudi and others belonging to diverse culture along with community can develop their overall performance and career by a considerable level. Apart from that, such cultural and ethnic groups also work towards maintaining understanding between two nations which further impacts beneficially on the welfare of overall community of the university. Correspondingly, the SSC of BSU also depicts their presence with similar kind of objectives. It has been noted that out of 579 international students in BSU, 262 of them are from Saudi Arabia. This aspect depicts the strong presence of Saudi students in the university. The SSC of BSU intends to develop an environment within the university wherein people from different cultures can recognize and respect each other’s culture and ethnicity. Contextually, the group celebrates Independence Day of Saudi Arabia, observe the festival of Eid within the institute and organize various other cultural events wherein each and every member of the university is heartily welcomed and their valuable ideas are greatly valued. Notably, the group also assists the newly joined Saudi students in the university every year by helping them to get acquainted with the prevailing atmosphere of the university and ensures a better future by forming greater association between them and BSU. In precise, it can be stated that the SSC in BSU intends to develop a strong affiliation between the Saudi students and students of other community in the same campus. The main principle of the club is to assist new and existing students of Saudi community so that they could be able to reap significant benefits both socially and academically. This aspect might permit the Saudi students to succeed in their academic career by a certain degree. Ahmad Almotairi, the President of the SSC states to all members and other students of the university that the group would be able to mitigate any sort of cultural and social barrier which prevail within the university through making deliberate efforts. In this regard, the quote which made by the President i.e. “Please be Patient with us” significantly depicts the same which has been discussed above (2Boise State University, “Turning it to the Needs of International Students”; 4Boise State University, “News for International Students”). SIMILARITY OR SAMENESS AMID THE MEMBERS OF THE SAUDI STUDENTS CLUB (SSC) IN BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY (BSU) AND THEIR ACTIVITIES The SSC mainly comprise the students who belong to various regions of Saudi Arabia. As depicted above, the group mainly deals with developing the performance of Saudi students within the university. The members of the group work together towards the accomplishment of set goals which is ensuring greater development of the career of the students. It has been noted that the group members possess good understanding and unity within themselves which binds them together in safeguarding the cultural uniqueness of their community in the university. On basic level, one of the similarities or sameness of the group members is that that they belong to same country and culture altogether. This aspect involuntarily develops a strong association between them and forms greater understanding. Furthermore, one more similarity between the group members can be apparently observed as their affection for preserving historical heritage of their culture, country and community. It is worth mentioning in this similar concern that all of them choose a common platform i.e. SSC group to assemble a cultural and form greater affiliation between the Saudi students along with other students of the university belonging to diverse community. This can be justified with reference to the fact that the group presents cultural programs in university events so that other students could be able to get familiar with the richness of their race. Another similarity among the members of the SSC is their helping nature. They work towards the betterment of their entire community without any personal interest. Each and every group member is dedicated towards moving in parallel with the objective of the group. All these similarities between the group members further ensure the prevalence of unity between themselves (3Boise State University, “Enjoy Saudi Culture at Sept. 27 Celebration”; 4Boise State University, “News for International Students”). DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF SAUDI STUDENT CLUB (SSC) From the above illustration, it is quite apparent that the members of the SSC possess several aspects in common between them which bind them together to form a complete team. Correspondingly, apart from the similarities, there are certain vital differences that exist between them which might not impact the overall integrity of the group. In this regard, the foremost among those is their perception regarding a particular aspect. Belonging from a similar culture and nationality does not guarantee a similarity in thinking among individuals. The members of the group have different perception with regard to present their culture within the university. They might not agree upon a common facet altogether but select an appropriate one through mutual understanding. Subsequently, there is a difference in values between the members of the group. Everyone in the group have their own set of beliefs that guide them to adopt effective decisions and present their preferred viewpoints and approaches. However, this aspect might act as a benefit for the group, as it might enable the emergence of diverse range of ideas and creative approaches within the group. Additionally, the members of the group also differ from each other with regard to their approach towards other community which is more or less related to their personal experience (2Boise State University, “Turning it to the Needs of International Students”; 4Boise State University, “News for International Students”). ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SAUDI STUDENT CLUB (SSC) WITHIN BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY (BSU) Ahmed Almotairi, the President of SSC in BSU stated to all the members of the group that through combine faith and hard-work, an impossible task can be made possible. The members of the group follow this principle of the President with utmost effectiveness as they determinedly believe that a day would come where there would be no cultural and ethnic barriers existing between countries and people. The group through their diverse range of activities will be able to form an appreciative position for themselves within the university. Their presence in the university further ensures the formation of an enhanced association between the students belonging to the Saudi community and the students of other community and culture (3Boise State University, “Boise State International Insider”). Hence, a balance along with an effective combination can be apparently observed amid the group members at BSU. CONCLUSION From the overall analysis of the study, it can be comprehended that in present day context, people especially the student’s travel from one place to other in search of better education for themselves. However, in order to maintain richness of one’s culture, students often form community based groups or clubs. The SSC within BSU is among such community groups. The group comprises mostly the students from Saudi having certain similarities and differences among them works towards the fulfillment of the common goal of the group i.e. to safeguard the cultural heritage of their nation. Hence, it can be concluded that the ultimate objective of the Saudi Students Club (SSC) in BSU is to enhance and develop the overall performance of the students through ensuring the formation of greater coordination amid them at large. Works Cited “Enjoy Saudi Culture at Sept. 27 Celebration.” 1Boise State University. 2013. Web. 04 Oct. 2013. “Turning it to the Needs of International Students.” 2Boise State University. 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2013. “Boise State International Insider.” 3Boise State University. 2013. Web. 04 Oct. 2013. “News for International Students.” 4Boise State University. 2010. Web. 04 Oct. 2013. Parvis, Leo F. Understanding Cultural Diversity in Today's Complex World. United States of America: Lulu.com, 2005. Print. Read More