Course:
EDUC – 6164-2
Week
2 Blog Assignment
My
Family Culture
Joanne
Lynch
Date:
Saturday 14th September, 2013.
A major catastrophe has devastated the
infrastructure of my country, and I was in the position as a surviving citizen.
I was told by the emergency government that I have to evacuate to another
country to seek refuge permanently, but I have to take only three small items
that I hold dear, as well as, representing my family’s culture. Indeed, I would
have taken my passport, debit card, and family will.
Undoubtedly, these three small items are
of great significance. For that reason, being a patriot, my passport will be
one of the most important forms of identification, and an official document that
is issued by the government which I have possessed as a national, permitting me
to travel abroad. On the other hand, the debit card (also known as bank card or
check card) is a ductile payment card which is more or less rectangular in shape,
and endows me to electronic access to my bank account(s) at a financial institution.
Moreover, the will which is my legal instrument that sanctions me, the testate,
to clearly set out my wishes for the distribution of my assets after death.
Certainly, each of these items is
fundamental to me in various ways. For instance, travel security measures have
increased, and it is almost impossible to travel without a passport, since it
is connected with the right of legal protection abroad, and the right to enter
one’s country of nationality. Likewise, it is a symbol of travel, and a basic requirement
for me to make the trip outside of my country. In addition to that, is my debit
card which is used as a more convenient way of spending money, than simply
carrying cash around at all times. By using the debit card, instant cash can be
withdrawn at the Automatic Teller Machines (ATM), as well as, it can be used
anywhere that credit cards are accepted. Most importantly is the will, which
assists in dictating the smooth transaction of the family assets, and
minimizing tensions among survivors.
Admittedly, if I were told upon arrival
that I can only keep one of these personal items, for sure, I will give first
preference to the debit card. For that reason, the passport would have already
allowed me to physically enter the country, giving proof of my identity. The will
would have been a fixed legal document, since it possesses certain required
elements that are clear, legally valid, and up to date. Besides, it would have
been prepared by an expert, ensuring that all assets are protected and
distributed according to my wishes.
Undoubtedly, when one has to integrate
into a new society, it could be difficult to live and function according to a
different and sometimes mysterious set of norms, likewise, to be dependent on
people you are not familiar with. Hence, the reasons why I have decided to give
my debit card the first choice. Due to not being employed at the moment, I will
need enough money to be comfortable in my standard of living; for example, to
buy food, for travelling purposes, in the case of illness, or during an
emergency.
Obviously, having the debit card will
enable me to live to the fullest, and not being dependent on anyone. Indeed,
the debit card is linked directly to my bank account, and immediately deducts
the amount of the purchase or withdrawal from the account. In fact, there is a
growing abundance of Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) around the world, which
makes it easier to access the local currency.
However, the insight I have attained, is
that when an individual lives in a new culture, he or she has to remain open to
become aware of similarities and differences, to learn rather than to judge. It
can be exhilarating, personally rewarding, intellectually stimulating, and
above all very frustrating. More importantly, it can be difficult to adapt to
the behavior to the customs and expectations of the host country.
References
Laureate
Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Family cultures: Dynamic
Passport- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(n.d.). Retrieved from
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passport.
What is a debit card? (2013, May28).
Retrieved from
What
is a will and why do I need one? Retrieved from