Belgium
participants
The goal of the activity "Talk Club: Wear Your Stereotypes," organized by ESN ULiège, was multifaceted and focused on fostering cultural understanding and inclusivity among students:
Challenging Stereotypes: The primary aim was to encourage participants to confront and discuss common stereotypes associated with various countries and cultures. By identifying false stereotypes and discussing the truths behind others, the activity aimed to debunk misconceptions and promote a more accurate understanding of different cultures.
Promoting Cultural Exchange: Through interactive and engaging dialogue, the activity aimed to facilitate cultural exchange among Erasmus students. It provided a platform for students from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and perspectives, thus enhancing cross-cultural communication.
Encouraging Inclusivity and Empathy: The activity aimed to create an inclusive environment where participants felt comfortable sharing and reflecting on their experiences with stereotypes. It sought to foster empathy among students, helping them understand the impact of stereotypes on individuals and communities.
Building Community: By bringing together Erasmus students, local students, and volunteers, the activity aimed to strengthen the sense of community and mutual understanding within the university setting, creating lasting connections among students from various backgrounds.
Educational Engagement: Beyond just a social gathering, the activity aimed to provide an educational experience where participants could learn about the complexities of cultural perceptions and the importance of challenging stereotypes in a globalized world.
In essence, "Talk Club: Wear Your Stereotypes" was designed to be more than just an event; it was an initiative aimed at creating a lasting impact on participants' perspectives regarding cultural diversity and inclusivity.
Initial Setup: Each participant receives a paper divided into two columns. Before mingling, they are asked to think of three stereotypes about their own country – two of them true and one invented or false.
Interactive Game: Participants then engage with others, ideally from different countries. In each interaction, they share their list of three stereotypes and the other person has to guess which one is the false stereotype.
Recording and Discussion: Upon successfully identifying the false stereotype, participants write down the country's name and the two true stereotypes in their paper's columns. This process is repeated until they have interacted with individuals from eight different countries.
Deeper Dialogue: After the guessing game, there's an invitation to discuss the stereotypes further. Participants talk about the two true stereotypes, exploring their origins and why they might be hurtful or misleading. This discussion phase is crucial as it opens up a platform for participants to delve into why certain stereotypes exist, how they impact perceptions, and ways to avoid perpetuating them.
Learning and Reflection: The activity not only provides a fun and engaging way to learn about different cultures but also encourages participants to reflect on the stereotypes they may have unconsciously accepted. It’s an opportunity to debunk myths and understand the diversity and complexity of different cultures.
Conclusion and Prize Draw: After collecting a list of eight countries and their respective true stereotypes, participants submit their papers for a chance to win in a prize draw. This element adds a fun and competitive edge to the educational experience.
"Talk Club: Wear Your Stereotypes" effectively combines entertainment with education, creating a unique platform for Erasmus students, local students, and volunteers to come together, share experiences, and challenge their preconceptions in a safe and welcoming environment.
