Noelia Ruiz
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Español
  • DOs & DON'Ts FOR TOURISTS
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Capítulo 1
  • Capítulo 2
  • Capítulo 3
  • Capítulo 4
  • End of Year Vacation
  • Vacaciones de Fin de año
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Español
  • DOs & DON'Ts FOR TOURISTS
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Capítulo 1
  • Capítulo 2
  • Capítulo 3
  • Capítulo 4
  • End of Year Vacation
  • Vacaciones de Fin de año
Noelia Ruiz

Chapter 1

10/28/2015

10 Comments

 

Yangon-Myanmar, Cultural perceptions from a world traveled Bolivian
Skills for Working in Development  ​

There are so many things I would like to share with everyone about the first week of my placement. Because there is so much to tell, I’ve decided to divide the first chapter into two parts. The first part of this chapter will focus on some of the Skills I acquired in Ottawa before traveling, for working in development. This part is very important for me to explain as it will make it easier for you to understand the challenges volunteers face. The second part of this chapter will be about the cultural perceptions I have developed since arriving in this beautiful country.

Before starting a placement in a developing country, all CUSO volunteers are supposed to take a training course called “Skills for Working in Development (SKWID)” in Ottawa. At SKWID, volunteers learn methods of coping with new cultures, risks, and incidents. In addition, volunteers learn about many situations that could affect their placements in a negative way and how to overcome them. For example, one of the many things we learn is the different stages of cultural adaptation a person can experience while in placement.

The first stage is known as “The Honeymoon Stage.” Your enthusiasm is at its peak. The point where you simply love everything and you have lots of energy and a positive attitude. Your excitement is at an all-time high about your new surroundings and the amazing adventure you find yourself on. The culture, the food, the language and the people all make you happy and eager to absorb as much as you can.

The second stage is the “Culture Shock.” In this stage you may feel discouraged, tired, frustrated, scared, homesick or simply bored. This can happen when you have difficulty adapting to your new surroundings, the culture, the food, the language or the people. This is when your new environment can make you unhappy, angry, stressed or just lonely.

The third stage is the “Adjustment.” This usually happens when you are able to establish a routine and you start having a sense of normality again. Your sense of humour and energy return as you start to become more familiar and more comfortable with your new surroundings.
Finally, the fourth stage is “Adaptation.” This happens when you open your mind and completely accept this new way of being. You feel motivated, you stop being sad and feeling isolated and you start to appreciate the good things about this new country you find yourself living in. You become more adventurous and you accept all these changes and adapt to a new way of living.

​The SKWID also has a session called “Expectations vs. Reality.” This session helps you keep your feet on the ground. You may think everything will be perfect once you get to your placement country; however, there may be situations which are out of your control. Situations such as communications and having difficulty understanding the local language or getting sick from the local food. Things we take for granted in North America such as not having access to Internet or utilities such as electricity or warm water. These amongst many other things, can easily lead you to feel the impact of culture shock.  
Picture
​Even though I was very excited to move to Southeast Asia, I tried to keep my expectations very low so I wouldn’t get caught in the culture shock stage. This is my first week in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) and I can happily say that I’m in the “Honeymoon Stage.” Everything is wonderful.

​
Now that you know the stages I may experience in the next six months, you will hopefully understand if I have fluctuations in my moods as it may be a difficult period of adjustment :). 

Let me now tell you a little about what I saw this past week.

​In Canada most people usually take their shoes off when entering a house. In Myanmar, ALL people MUST remove their shoes when entering a house, a hotel, an office or when visiting Pagodas or religious sites. Failure to do so can prevent you from entering anywhere.


The traditional Burmese clothing is very interesting! Men wear long skirts called “Longyi” and women wear long skirts called “Sarong.” Even though the weather is very warm, the culture is very conservative; therefore, women are not supposed to show shoulders or knees and are expected to be modest. Having your knees or shoulders exposed can cause bad impression. People may look down on you.

​Many Myanmar people wear “thanakhar” on their faces. “Thanakhar” is a yellow paste made from wood which is used as sunblock and/or makeup. You can find it in supermarkets now; however, Burmese people prefer to make their own as it is more natural. 
Ladies are very sweet and warm. They hold your hand to walk around places. This would seem very strange had I not learned about it at SKWID, so I was not surprised and expected such friendly behaviour.

I’m still trying to get used to seeing drivers on the right side of the car is a new experience for me. Most of the drivers are crazy and do as they please, so it’s always an adventure to cross the street, even crazier than in Bolivia.

Let me now focus on a few things you cannot do here. It is inappropriate to leave tips at a restaurant or hotel as people will feel diminished, even insulted. You cannot take pictures of military or police installations, if you do you can be imprisoned! You should never point at people as it is considered very rude. You can never touch the head of another person because they see it as offensive. You cannot throw things to people as it is also considered very rude and when you pass something to another person you should always do it with both hands.

​You may be wondering about the country, the language and the traditional food. I will dedicate a whole chapter about it. So, stay tuned!
10 Comments
Patricia
10/28/2015 08:21:04 am

I WILL STAY TUNED! Love the details! Hope you STAY in the honey moon stage.

Reply
Noe
11/3/2015 07:33:37 pm

Thank you Patricia! I hope so too!

Reply
Shirley Staal
10/30/2015 04:51:21 am

I have so enjoyed reading on your website. I too always had a passion for travel. What you are doing is wonderful and very selfless . I will stay with you on this journey. Enjoy your honeymoon stage and may the Good Lord keep you safe now and always. I look forward to getting to know you along the way. 💗

Reply
Noelia
11/3/2015 07:37:31 pm

Dear Shirley,

Thank you very much for your lovely comment. I look forward to meeting you :).

Have a wonderful day,

Noelia

Reply
Omar Jimenez
11/1/2015 08:01:40 am

Hey:
A blog is a good idea.
I think your experience in other places that don't always have warm water or other first world "must haves" will help you stay in the honeymoon phase longer.
If you have a chance to, please tell us about the food, how spicy do they have their food? Can you beat them in this field?
Cuidate mucho!
OJ

Reply
Noe
11/3/2015 07:46:14 pm

Primito,

Thank you for your comment! I travelled to Bagan last weekend and I was sick, just a cold though. The hotel I stayed in had warm water! It felt WONDERFUL!!

The food is soooo spicy that could give you a headache. I'll learn how to cook it and I'll cook for you next time I'm in NYC. Anyway, I'll talk more about it next week :). You have to read the next chapter! I hope to have it ready by Friday.

Thank you for following me,

Besitos,

Noe

Reply
Omar Jimenez
11/22/2015 11:20:57 am

Hola:
I heard about the big landslide in the north, Kachin. They say it was mostly miners that were hurt so I hope you weren't anywhere near that.
Food so spicy, it makes your head hurt? I have to try that.
Cuidate mucho,
Omar

R
7/30/2016 05:56:04 pm

Hi Noelia,

I have passion to contribute my services towards 'fight against hunger and poverty'. I want to make this my mission and my career. I am interested in volunteering with CUSO, and after gaining some practical experience I want to look for paid job-with CUSO or other NGO. I love travelling and experience new cultures and I understand there are always challenges when u r away from home, however, for hobby it is short term but for the job it is different. I have a question for you and I hope you can help me answer from your experience. My question is specific. I have a health condition where in my immune system is not that strong, as I have undergone a kidney transplant last year. Excessive exposure to UV can even cause cancer and I am more vulnerable to catch a viral or communicable disease than a normal person. I am healthy and active otherwise
What is your idea, Are these conditions/ going to limit my ability to work with the marginalized communities who live at the places with all kinds of problems like lack of utilities and sanitation per say and live with many health problems because of poverty????
I will check this blog but I will appreciate if you can also send me the reply on my email please. Thanks.

Reply
R
7/30/2016 05:56:19 pm

Hi Noelia,

I have passion to contribute my services towards 'fight against hunger and poverty'. I want to make this my mission and my career. I am interested in volunteering with CUSO, and after gaining some practical experience I want to look for paid job-with CUSO or other NGO. I love travelling and experience new cultures and I understand there are always challenges when u r away from home, however, for hobby it is short term but for the job it is different. I have a question for you and I hope you can help me answer from your experience. My question is specific. I have a health condition where in my immune system is not that strong, as I have undergone a kidney transplant last year. Excessive exposure to UV can even cause cancer and I am more vulnerable to catch a viral or communicable disease than a normal person. I am healthy and active otherwise
What is your idea, Are these conditions/ going to limit my ability to work with the marginalized communities who live at the places with all kinds of problems like lack of utilities and sanitation per say and live with many health problems because of poverty????
I will check this blog but I will appreciate if you can also send me the reply on my email please. Thanks.

Reply
R
7/30/2016 05:56:51 pm

Hi Noelia,

I have passion to contribute my services towards 'fight against hunger and poverty'. I want to make this my mission and my career. I am interested in volunteering with CUSO, and after gaining some practical experience I want to look for paid job-with CUSO or other NGO. I love travelling and experience new cultures and I understand there are always challenges when u r away from home, however, for hobby it is short term but for the job it is different. I have a question for you and I hope you can help me answer from your experience. My question is specific. I have a health condition where in my immune system is not that strong, as I have undergone a kidney transplant last year. Excessive exposure to UV can even cause cancer and I am more vulnerable to catch a viral or communicable disease than a normal person. I am healthy and active otherwise
What is your idea, Are these conditions/ going to limit my ability to work with the marginalized communities who live at the places with all kinds of problems like lack of utilities and sanitation per say and live with many health problems because of poverty????
I will check this blog but I will appreciate if you can also send me the reply on my email please. Thanks.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I grew up in La Paz, Bolivia and I developed a passion for traveling since I was 15. I had the fortune of living and working in four different capitals: La Paz, Guatemala City, Washington, D.C., and Ottawa.
    ​
    I have a passion for development and one of my ambitions is to help the poor live better lives. I just moved to Yangon, Myanmar where I am working as a gender consultant to empower women and prevent violence against them. 

    Archives

    October 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed