Service Learning - Alanna Barnett

Event: Pakistan Culture Talk

Organizer: Emily Schifferling

Email: emily.schifferling@edcc.edu

Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm, March 1st

This event was sponsored by the Edmonds Community College International Student Services. The goal of this event was to educate on Pakistani culture, and was presented by a student who is a Pakistani immigrant. She came to the US with her family when she was very young, and shared her experiences of living simultaneously with both Eastern and Western cultures.

This service learning did not entail any duties, per se. It was was an event focused on learning and listening, and lasted an hour. I do not, unfortunately, have a photo of the event.

I think this event highlighted the importance of cultural intersection in all parts of society, including the sciences. The student panelist is a medical student, for example, and she emphasized the importance of cultural perspective. While the event’s purpose was less related to biology and more about cultural education, I don’t think that diminishes the value of the event in its relevance.

I believe it’s important to remember that ultimately, the biological sciences would not be possible without people from many different backgrounds. It’s easy to forget, given the strong historical bias in this country and many others, that science is not just done by white men in Western countries. Unfortunately, this bias means that we are less likely to take individuals who don’t fit this stereotype less seriously. It’s particularly bad in relation to people and establishments from Eastern cultures, as much of the Western world tends to view Eastern countries as backwards and less civilized. The first step to fighting such biases is knowledge and understanding, and is particularly important for areas like Western Washington where we have a large immigrant population due to the science and tech industries in the area.

Science, particularly biological science, shows us that everything is fundamentally interconnected. This is an important thing to remember. Much like species evolve to fit their respective niches, so does human society adapt. And, as no species is less evolved than any other, no culture is less advanced than any other. There is beauty in diversity. In Pakistani society, there is a much greater importance and validity placed on the value of family in a person’s life than one would see in American society. In American society, there is more value placed on personal identity and independence. Neither is better than the other, they are just different.

One thing that the panelist emphasized that stood out to me was the experience of being caught between two cultures. She was raised in America, but her family holds very strongly to Pakistani culture. While she said that she’s sometimes struggled with a sense of identity, she also said she feels as though she’s gained a lot from being a part of two very different cultures.

Questions:

• What is it like to pursue sciences in a traditionally religious country, given that science and religion have often historically been at odds?
• What are some struggles that could be overcome by introducing different cultural perspectives in the science fields?
• What are educational science programs like in other non-Western cultures?
• Can we ever achieve a truly inclusive society that respects everyone equally?