Culture2Culture: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Culture2Culture (C2C)?
Originally conceived as an intercultural bridge between African-American and Caribbean students, Culture2Culture is being offered as a simple cultural diversity process to teachers, students, and school administrators.
It aims to serve as a conduit for students to discuss similarities and differences in an atmosphere of respect, understanding and acceptance. The program takes into consideration our students’ need for a safe environment, an environment in which they are comfortable expressing who they are and what their cultural heritage means to them.
How do I recruit for this program?
We suggest that you use the same strategies you used to form your HRC. Morning announcements and flier postings provide good opportunities to bring C2C to the attention of students.
What kind of activities can we plan?
We invite you and the students to be as creative as you can be! Any project that fosters collaboration and opportunities for students to know one another is welcome.
How many students should I recruit?
You decide on the number of students. Depending on the makeup of your school, it may be easier for you to find students from diverse ethnic groups.
How may events should we organize for the year?
As many as your schedule and other constraints (FCAT Prep, for example) will allow.
Are there any Web resources you can share with us as advisors?
In the C2C program, we will constantly share resources with you to make your group more efficient and more focused. You may use some of those resources to implement a portion, or portions, of your action plan. For example, we will provide information on how to prepare multimedia presentations. If you need any assistance, we will put you in contact with an expert to guide you and inspire you to undertake more difficult tasks in the future. We ask that you encourage your students to use their technology skills to enhance the C2C program at your school.
How often will we meet?
It is up to advisors and C2C participants (members) to determine the frequency of meetings. You may want to align the C2C meetings with HRC meetings (back-to-back) or decide on having general meetings on a regular basis (every other Thursday, for example). Take the time to schedule your meetings carefully so that the dates are maintained and students take their meeting dates seriously.
Do I have to compile the speakers’ list?
Florence Bastien, the C2C program facilitator, will gather the names of potential speakers to present at your school. She will share the list with all advisors. Your role is to indicate to her when you would like a speaker to address your group.
How do I invite a speaker to our school?
Once you have made all necessary arrangements with school administration about welcoming a speaker at your school, you need to contact Florence Bastien to inform her of the date and specific location at your school. She will contact a speaker for you and will follow-up before the scheduled school visit. We suggest that you notify front office personnel of the guest speaker’s visit to ensure a smooth process. If you still have questions about bringing a speaker to your school for the Common Grounds series, you can email Ms. Bastien at Florence.bastien@browardschools.com or call her at 754-321-2090.
Are my students supposed to interact with students from other schools?
One of the goals of the C2C program is to build bridges between students. We suggest that students share information with each other, support each other, and work collaboratively to achieve a final project as a testament to their ongoing intercultural communication.
May I include C2C activities in my HRC Action Plan?
Yes! Since the HRC and C2C programs aim to create a climate of safety and respect in our schools, you will find that a lot of the activities overlap. We strongly suggest that you add your C2C activities to your Action Plan. As always, we encourage that you contact us if you need assistance. Please keep in mind that questions regarding your Human Relations Council (HRC) should be directed to Mercedes Hardisson, at 754-321-2090.
For students
Is Culture2Culture a club?
C2C is basically a program aiming to create a space for students of diverse cultures to interact safely. More than a club, there is a philosophy behind the program in terms of helping to foster more understanding and respect among all ethnic groups.
Is Culture2Culture a one-time program?
No, C2C is an ongoing program.
Are activities open to African-American and Caribbean students only?
No, all students may participate in C2C. The focus is on these two groups of students because the program seeks to provide a neutral space for them to interact with respect and civility. Students from these two groups have had problems communicating in the past; C2C invites them to take a new look at each other’s cultural traditions and particular sensitivities.
Will students be allowed to remain as C2C members year after year?
Yes, they will be. The longer students stay with the program, the greater the impact. They will better understand the philosophy behind the concept as they put it in practice.
Do I have to be in advanced classes to participate in the program?
No, you don’t. As long as you are committed to learning, you are allowed to become a C2C member.
What if I want to withdraw as a member?
You can do so anytime you want. This is a voluntary program.
Are there any club dues?
No, there aren’t. It is a free membership club.
What if I want to invite some of my friends to join?
We would be happy to welcome them. The more, the merrier.
Note: If your question was not answered here, please contact Florence Bastien, the Culture2Culture program coordinator, at 754-321-2090.