Problem:
The purpose of this exercise is for students to learn how to identify ethical, legal, and values conflicts in the practice setting.
Read Case Example: One Placement + Two Students = Cultural Insight , on p. 211 of the textbook, The Human Services Internship (Getting the Most from Your Experience) 4th Edition, Pamela Myers Kiser, Cengage, 2016
The Human Services Internship.
Using the text box entry, respond to each of the questions in Exercise 7.4 (Synthesis) in at least 4-6 sentences each. Please type the question first. The Human Services Internship (Getting the Most from Your Experience) 4th Edition, Pamela Myers Kiser, Cengage, 2016
Thinking about Gamal and Sherry's differing lenses of the same clients at their shared field placement, in what ways might your cultural lens have influenced your reactions to your field agency and/or the clients it serves?
Describe at least one experience or incident in your field placement in which you experienced an ethnocentric reaction. What thoughts and feelings did you have in that situation? As you describe the incident, explain the specific aspects of your own cultural experience that played into your reaction.
Adapted from: Kiser, P. M. (2016). The Human Services Internship -Getting the Most from Your Experience (4th ed.). Cengage
Please relate this to the question on the top.
Question 1: How might your cultural lens have influenced your reactions to your field agency and/or the clients it serves? Need Assignment Help?
When I first started my internship at IDAAY in North Philadelphia, I quickly realized that my personal background shaped how I reacted to the environment and the youth in the program.
To be honest, I did not like the neighborhood at first. There is no parking, the building is old and rundown, and the hallway is very dark because there is no proper lighting. The space did not feel welcoming or motivating to me. I am used to environments that are clean, bright, and organized. In my mind, I associate those types of spaces with professionalism and success. Because of that, I initially felt discouraged and questioned how effective the program could be in that setting.
IDAAY works with young men who have been involved in the juvenile justice system. Some have been incarcerated and some have histories connected to gun violence. Knowing that also made me nervous in the beginning. I did not say it out loud, but internally I felt uncomfortable. I realized that part of that reaction came from stereotypes and fear, not from actually knowing the youth as individuals.
I also noticed that many of the youth seemed unmotivated to attend programming. Some are often on their phones, and participation can be low. At first, I felt frustrated. I thought, "Why aren't they taking this seriously?" I come from a background where opportunities are supposed to be appreciated and respected. Being attentive and engaged is something I was taught shows responsibility.
But as I spent more time there, I started to reflect. These young men have experienced things I may never fully understand - incarceration, community violence, and instability. What I saw as "lack of motivation" might actually be emotional protection, trauma responses, or simply not trusting systems yet. Being on their phones might be their way of coping or staying connected to what feels safe to them.
This experience helped me see that my first reactions were shaped by my own lens. Instead of judging, I am learning to pause and ask myself what might be underneath the behavior. That shift has helped me grow, both personally and professionally.
Question 2: Describe an experience in which you experienced an ethnocentric reaction.
One clear moment stands out to me. During one of my early days at IDAAY, I was observing a session with several of the young men. Many of them were quiet, on their phones, or not fully participating. The room felt low energy. Combined with the dark hallway and the condition of the building, I felt discouraged.
Internally, I was thinking that if I had been given a second chance or a program like this, I would show more excitement and gratitude. I felt impatient and a little judgmental, even though I did not express it outwardly.
Looking back, that reaction was ethnocentric. I was comparing their behavior to how I was raised. In my family, you show respect by being attentive. You show appreciation by participating. I equated visible engagement with good character.
But I had to ask myself: Is that fair?
These young men have different life experiences than I do. Some may struggle with trust, especially toward authority figures or programs connected to systems. Some may be dealing with trauma, stress, or pressure from their communities. Their quietness or distance may not mean they do not care. It may mean they are protecting themselves.
I also had to confront my discomfort about working with youth who have been incarcerated or involved in gun-related offenses. I realized that I was allowing labels to influence how I felt before truly getting to know them. That was a difficult but important realization.
This experience has pushed me to grow. I am learning not to let my first reaction define my professional response. Instead of focusing on what they are not doing, I try to notice small moments - when someone makes eye contact, answers a question, or stays a little longer than usual.
This internship at IDAAY is challenging me in ways I did not expect. It is teaching me that cultural humility is not just a concept in a textbook. It means being honest with myself about my biases, especially when I feel uncomfortable. It means choosing empathy over judgment.
As a student at the Community College of Philadelphia, this experience is helping me understand what real community work looks like. It is not always polished or perfect. Sometimes it is messy, uncomfortable, and eye-opening. But it is also meaningful, and I can see how much I am growing from it.