Culture in the Phillipines
Prior to the trip, the nursing students study the cultural domains of the Philippines based on the Cultural Assessment Model by Giger and Davidhizar. They perform a cultural self-assessment on themselves, which includes an interview of an elder in each student's family. Presentations are made to the group about the cultural information they have learned about the Philippines.
In Manila, they encounter a very urban and somewhat westernized
culture. But the students discover distinct differences in many
social values and practices. During the first days, they tour
Nayong Pilipino, a mini-representation of the multiple island
cultures of the Philippines. Additional experiences include
demonstrations of national dances, meals in Filipino cuisine, shopping
in indoor malls and the street market, and tours of scenic places.
When the students arrive at Iloilo City, they experience a more provincial culture of the Philippines. Special classes are designed to expose the students to the local culture. Clinical experiences involve interviews with persons from many walks of life in the Philippine culture. Museo de Iloilo offers many displays of the art, the lifestyles, and the history of Filipinos living in the Province of Iloilo. The students tour different health care facilities in the region. Sightseeing includes a boat ride around the beaches of Guimaras Island with native guides. The last sightseeing event is a trip to Boracay Island, a tropical paradise with pristine beaches and water. The students may arrange opportunities for scuba diving, boating, total body massage, swimming, and interacting with local people in the marketplace.
Postconferences to every cultural experience address cultural impressions of the students, signs of cultural shock, and developmental stages of cultural relativism. In group dynamics, the students identify ethnocentric impressions and stereotypes that they recognize in themselves and their peers. They discuss how their experiences validate their perspectives and the cultural perspectives in the Philippines.