In Filipino psychology(Sikolohiyang Filipino) developed by Dr. Virgilio Enriquez of UP, cultural integration occurs in several stages.
These stages are:
pakikitungo (civility)
pakikisalamuha (act of mixing)
pakikilahok (act of joining)
pakikibagay (conformity)
pakikisama (being united with the group)
for ibang tao (other people or outsiders). The goal of course is for the person to be able to unite with the group in its endeavors.
pakikitungo (civility)
pakikisalamuha (act of mixing)
pakikilahok (act of joining)
pakikibagay (conformity)
pakikisama (being united with the group)
for ibang tao (other people or outsiders). The goal of course is for the person to be able to unite with the group in its endeavors.
But it doesn't end there. When the person felt that he belongs with the group already, there are three more stages in which one person can claim that he's "one with the group" already.
These stages are
pakikipagpalagayang-loob (act of mutual trust)
pakikisangkot (act of joining others)
pakikipagkaisa (being one with others)
pakikipagpalagayang-loob (act of mutual trust)
pakikisangkot (act of joining others)
pakikipagkaisa (being one with others)
The reason I'm bringing this up is because I think it holds a universal value. There are of course cultural nuances such as in the cultural conception of "self", "others", "social distance", "norms" and "customs", but given that the exchange offers a kind of cultural integration merits that he steps mentioned above might somehow describe the process of how a person is able to work with people of different background altogether.
In the true essence of a discourse paper, let me take myself as a "case" to further explain the theory and elucidate the practical application of it to the exchange program. Let me discuss it by stage and see what stage of integration I'm in. Later on, people reading this might try it as well.
Pakikitungo (civility)
This is the awkward stage for me. It's the observation stage. The moment I entered the premises of my host organization's office, I started observing things, people and their actions. The after a while, I offered a smile, trying to ease the tension of my alienating presence. Then, a smile was given in return. Basic questions like "how was your trip" "have you eaten your breakfast" where then asked and in all politeness, I answered as I was asked. Then, I started to get to know them, asked them their names, their work and other things that are crucial since I'm going to work with them for the next 10 months.
This is the awkward stage for me. It's the observation stage. The moment I entered the premises of my host organization's office, I started observing things, people and their actions. The after a while, I offered a smile, trying to ease the tension of my alienating presence. Then, a smile was given in return. Basic questions like "how was your trip" "have you eaten your breakfast" where then asked and in all politeness, I answered as I was asked. Then, I started to get to know them, asked them their names, their work and other things that are crucial since I'm going to work with them for the next 10 months.
first day in office
Pakikisalamuha (act of mixing)
This is the extension of the observation stage. For me, it was when I was asked to go with the Board of Directors for study visit to attend the organizations' area general meeting. I was part of the group, I was acknowledged as an "exchanged staff" meaning that in the general organizational structure, I'm identified as one of the persons working for the achievement of their goals. However, it's merely a label: "Research and Documentation Specialist of CUPC". It was when I was listening to them spoke in the meetings and I too spoke in front of them.
This is the extension of the observation stage. For me, it was when I was asked to go with the Board of Directors for study visit to attend the organizations' area general meeting. I was part of the group, I was acknowledged as an "exchanged staff" meaning that in the general organizational structure, I'm identified as one of the persons working for the achievement of their goals. However, it's merely a label: "Research and Documentation Specialist of CUPC". It was when I was listening to them spoke in the meetings and I too spoke in front of them.
attending area general meeting
Pakikilahok (act of joining)
It's when I started doing the "formal" things that the organization required of me. It's the weekly meetings, the punching of cards, the lunch a 1 (instead of 12) and other things that were required of me as a staff. The rules were set for me to participate in the kind of organizational frameworks they work on.
It's when I started doing the "formal" things that the organization required of me. It's the weekly meetings, the punching of cards, the lunch a 1 (instead of 12) and other things that were required of me as a staff. The rules were set for me to participate in the kind of organizational frameworks they work on.
Sometimes, this can also mean joining them in their celebrations and traditions like Ponggal festival and Thaipusam festival, wedding invitations, birthday parties and others.
invited fro a wedding dinner of an officemate
Pakikibagay (conformity)
This stage characterize the learning of their habits especially the informal ones like:
- Where to eat and what to eat during lunch (Chinese for Monday, Indian for Tuesday, Malay for Wednesday and so on and vice versa until I was able to figure out myself the kind of patterns that exist)
- What to drink during tea time - I've always been a coffee person but since it's their habit to drink tea, I had to conform
- What to give out during birthdays - for Indians, they usually give out candies or chocolates to the staff for their birthdays. I was thinking of doing the same actually, but I thought it wouldn't be a party so I bought pizza instead. So when I called them up for the pizza party, they were all asking, "where are the sweets?" Then only then I thought, you can't break traditions easily. Good thing they liked the pizza still.
This stage characterize the learning of their habits especially the informal ones like:
- Where to eat and what to eat during lunch (Chinese for Monday, Indian for Tuesday, Malay for Wednesday and so on and vice versa until I was able to figure out myself the kind of patterns that exist)
- What to drink during tea time - I've always been a coffee person but since it's their habit to drink tea, I had to conform
- What to give out during birthdays - for Indians, they usually give out candies or chocolates to the staff for their birthdays. I was thinking of doing the same actually, but I thought it wouldn't be a party so I bought pizza instead. So when I called them up for the pizza party, they were all asking, "where are the sweets?" Then only then I thought, you can't break traditions easily. Good thing they liked the pizza still.
my birthday celeb
-What to wear for Friday - In the Philippines, Friday is wash day, meaning you are allowed to go to work with just a polo shirt and jeans. But in Malaysia, Friday is the power dressing day. It's the day when everyone is expected to dress to kill. So when I came to the office in my jeans and polo shirt and my officemates where all in their colorful saris and long sleeves, I was like, "is there a celebration today I'm not aware of?" Good thing I'm always prompt at asking questions. So the next Fridays, I reserved the best long sleeves I have and since they even coordinate colors for Friday, I sometimes do as they please, which was kinda nice actually.
Being one with the group
I f I was able to reach the level of conformity, does it mean that I'm already one with the group? I don't think I have with the whole group but I think I have with some members of the group, the ones I consider close friends among the staff. The reasons for them becoming my friends are varied. Pakia, an FK participant prior to my batch was assigned in my home organization so I was able to develop friendship with her more than anyone else in the organization. Nirmala, sits at a desk beside me so the proximity allowed us to be able to talk more often than with others which later on developed our friendship, Uncle Raj (notice how I address him as uncle and not Mr.) accompanied and assisted me during the time I was settling in my apartment. He invited me to sleep over at their house and I was able to meet his family. He also went with me to most of my pre-independent stage so I learned to trust him and consider him a friend.
I f I was able to reach the level of conformity, does it mean that I'm already one with the group? I don't think I have with the whole group but I think I have with some members of the group, the ones I consider close friends among the staff. The reasons for them becoming my friends are varied. Pakia, an FK participant prior to my batch was assigned in my home organization so I was able to develop friendship with her more than anyone else in the organization. Nirmala, sits at a desk beside me so the proximity allowed us to be able to talk more often than with others which later on developed our friendship, Uncle Raj (notice how I address him as uncle and not Mr.) accompanied and assisted me during the time I was settling in my apartment. He invited me to sleep over at their house and I was able to meet his family. He also went with me to most of my pre-independent stage so I learned to trust him and consider him a friend.
from left (with Uncle Raj and his granddaughter, Pakia, and Nirmala)
I'm not sure what stage in the "being one with the group" I'm in right now. As far as I'm concerned there are times when I feel like part of them especially when I'm doing my tasks and they're seeing that it's one with the organization's goals. There are also times when I feel left out especially when they start talking in their local language and do their own work which even orientations cannot ensure my being able to know the details fully.
These kinds of nuances I attribute to the fact that my stay here is temporary. In their long history of working together, I took part in a time almost forgettable unless you leave a lasting impression. What is 10 months in 35 years? But this thought also made me even more willing to work and achieve my objectives so that even if it's just been 10 months, I am still able to somehow affect the direction of the organization.
Now what?
Everyone has different ways of integrating with people. Some easily does it, some finds it hard. Some can gain people's trust in just one seating, some requires time. Time and circumstance are its variables but so is the willingness of the person to integrate. Integration does not mean losing your individuality. Integration means that a person is accepted by an organization with consideration of his uniqueness and identity. Conformity should not be the only way by which a person can integrate. Concessions are to be made but not absolute ones.
Everyone has different ways of integrating with people. Some easily does it, some finds it hard. Some can gain people's trust in just one seating, some requires time. Time and circumstance are its variables but so is the willingness of the person to integrate. Integration does not mean losing your individuality. Integration means that a person is accepted by an organization with consideration of his uniqueness and identity. Conformity should not be the only way by which a person can integrate. Concessions are to be made but not absolute ones.
So this is what I say to myself:
The reason why you are in the exchange is because there is something in you that the organization is yet to have and conforming does not and will not create the opportunity for that change to occur. Letting your individuality shine while considering other people's individualities is the way by which you can gain the best position to create the change. And this takes one step at a time. Whether I reach the last stage of theis cultural integration thing, I still have 3 months to see.
The reason why you are in the exchange is because there is something in you that the organization is yet to have and conforming does not and will not create the opportunity for that change to occur. Letting your individuality shine while considering other people's individualities is the way by which you can gain the best position to create the change. And this takes one step at a time. Whether I reach the last stage of theis cultural integration thing, I still have 3 months to see.
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