Journal Entry 5

The varying nonverbal communication, gestures and patterns is something that is fall overlooked in different cultures languages. Nonverbal communication varies along different cultures and understanding the different patterns and meanings associated with silence and pauses can make for a successful study abroad experience. By successfully understanding and using nonverbal communication, a person may be able to thoroughly express what they really mean, connect better with others and build stronger overall relationships and networks while abroad. Many cultures have a higher regard for silence in communication encounters. For example, in many Asian and Chinese cultures, what is not said is regarded as important and lulls in conversations are considered restful, friendly, reflective and appropriate. In the United States, there is very little respect for lengthy periods of time during which not much is said. With that said, if there is a long pause in a conversation, it could be considered as awkward or uncomfortable and it won’t take much time for another person to continue or pickup the conversation. In the Maximizing Study Abroad book, there is an activity where you are to observe and make sense out of nonverbal communication. I chose to observe 3 different college students (two males, one female) talking at Kaufman Dining Hall about their upcoming exams. While observing, I was able to notice that they were all good friends and were making passive/casual eye contact throughout the conversation. Building off of the fact that they are good friends and comfortable with each other, I noticed that they were close to one another’s personal space. Another form of nonverbal communication I observed was the varying tone of voice to get louder when excited about something particular, or the fact that they would tend to interrupt each other often. Other typical patterns I noticed was the use of hand gesture and body language, which really amplified the emotions of each, and overall the tension of stress for exams in the conversation. Observing the college students here in the United States may be very different than the observations I would notice in another culture, such as the Asian or Chinese cultures. One can learn a lot about the situation from observing the verbal and nonverbal forms of communication together. I found it very interesting to learn about how many cultures communication primarily involve the interpretation of different gestures and lulls. A substantial portion of communication is nonverbal and these nonverbal gestures and patterns have a big impact on the message one is trying to convey.