Master of Education: Social Identity, Location, and Education

This assignment is a reflective analysis of the student's social identity and social location and how these factors have influenced their educational experiences. The paper is divided into several parts, including a critical analysis of the student's social identity and location, an exploration of how these factors have shaped their identity as a student, educator, and citizen. The student, originally from China, discusses the impact of their cultural background and the transition to a new culture in Canada, highlighting how their social identity has evolved. The assignment draws upon various sources, including the work of Henri Tajfel and Geert Hofstede, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the influence of social and cultural factors on personal and professional development. The student reflects on their experiences, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, communication, and embracing diverse perspectives in educational and professional settings.

Running head: MASTER OF EDUCATION
Master Of Education
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Part 1: Critical analysis of my social identity and social location
As per the opinion of Hutchison (2018), social identity helps in shaping the future of an
individual. However, I feel that this view is contradictory as I feel that social identity is variable.
It gets changed with locations and with a change in surroundings. As I am from China, I have
always been exposed to an agro-based culture. In other words, I have been brought up by
learning about differ agricultural tools and implements the majority of people in China are
predominantly farmers. However, Gerard et al. (2018) have also stated that China is scientifically
advanced as well. Thus I have developed a dynamic and flexible view about inventions.
However, after coming to Canada I realized that people are more inclined towards sports and
technology rather than agriculture. Thus I took up business studies and then education as I
realized in order to develop in the future, I will have to have a dynamic and management
oriented mindset.

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Part 2: social identity
Figure 1: social identity
Source: (Hewstone, Stroebe & Jonas, 2016 )
Henri Tajfel's greatest contribution to psychology was the social identity theory. He
is of the opinion that social identity was largely influenced by the culture and the social system
of my geographic location (Hewstone, Stroebe & Jonas, 2016). As I was born and brought up in
China, I imbibed the Chinese culture within my personality. As evident from the picture, I

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followed the Chinese social system. This was reflected in my business etiquettes. I used to bow
down in my group rather than exchanging a friendly hug. However, with time, I realized that to
live and work in Canada, I have to adapt to the Canadian cultural and social ways.
Thus I realized that while socializing in friends or colleague groups in Canada I have to
be much more friendly and informal. As per the opinion of Rhoads and Valadez (2016), while
working in a multicultural group one will be facing many criticisms. I agree with this point as I
have faced several criticisms when I first came to study in Canada in the year 2014. As I often
had to work in group-based activities I saw that some of the students did not like me and were
just trying to point out my negativities. However, I do not blame them as I was really a strangest
to them. Thus they did not like some of my ways in terms of communication, team management,
and others.
I remember that during semester projects, I was working under a senior who was from
Canada. She was sportive towards me. However, she did not like whenever I suggested any long
term plan. She was always after getting g quick and instant result. This often resulted in many
fights. However, as per Hofstede cultural analysis of long term orientation, Canada has a
normative society (score 36), and like quick results. They do not like to think about the
future. In contrary to this China is a pragmatic ( score 87) society. Thus they believe in long
term thinking. I went for some cross-cultural competency sessions that taught me how to adapt to
the changing situations while moving to a new place.

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Social location
Figure 2: Social Location
Source: (Cooley, 2017)
As per the opinion of Cooley (2017), the habits and behavior of a person depend largely
on the surroundings of the place where they are born. I agree with this as I have faced the same.
As I have been of a Chinese origin I had this mindset that supremacy is justified and acceptable.
As per the Hofstede analysis between China and Canada, China has a score of 80 in power
distance, whereas Canada has only a low score of 39. Chinese people believe that inequality,
partiality, and biases to some extent are alright. Thus I had this same mindset when I came to
Canada for my studies.
I was appointed as a team leader in college and I thought that I can give more advantage
to those members whom I like more, as this was prevalent in China. However, I saw that there
were many problems arising in my team. The Canadian students did not like my way of treating
them. They were of the opinion that I must treat everyone equally. I learned that culture varies
from one location to another. In Canada, equality matters the most. Thus it was from then, that I

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started adapting to the social culture of Canada. As per the opinion of Hewstone, Stroebe, and
Jonas (2016), geographic location plays a major role in shaping the mindset of people. I realized
that Canada was a very open-minded country in comparison to China. I learned from my Chinese
culture about eating with chopsticks, bowing down in front of colleagues rather than
handshaking and always abiding by a strict sense of punctuality. However, after coming to
Canada I learned that they are much more modernized and friendly.

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Part 4: my self-as-student
Figure 3: student
Source: (Austin & Pinkleton, 2015)
I did my kindergarten and my high school in China. Being born and brought up in China,
I have inculcated within myself all the Chinese cultures and traditions. As far as the opinion of
Liu (2016) is concerned, social identity and behavior of individuals undergo changes with the
situation. However, initially I disagreed to this because I was of a very conservative mind.
During my early school days, the only language that was available in most of the schools was
Chinese. As a result of which, I have developed a very good proficiency in the Chinese language
and did not know about the importance multilingual aspect. I felt that I will not face any problem
in Canada. However, after coming to Canada, I realized that I was having issues in

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communication. As per the opinion of Austin and Pinkleton (2015), effective communication is
the key to attain success in business organizations. I realized that while I was pursuing my
Bachelor of Business in Canada that I have to work over my communications skill. I realized that
in order to survive in any foreign culture one needs to be of a free and open mind. Thus I started
undergoing many communication classes. I realized that English speaking and writing fluency is
of utmost importance to survive in any International business set up. I learned the art of being
responsible and independent. I realized that to survive in a Global culture I have to interact with
people and in order to do that I need to learn a Global language. Thus I started learning English
At the same time, my social identity has helped me to become successful in my career.
While my stay in China from my birth, I have learned the importance of punctuality and
flexibility. This has helped me to adapt to the culture of Canada. Thus I can say that the social
identity and social culture of every individual play both a positive and a negative role in shaping
their future. In my college, I was always on time and my teachers were very impressed. I also
received awards because of my discipline and hardworking nature. Learning these attributes
from my original culture that is Chinese culture has been very helpful for making me an ideal
student.

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Part 5: my self-as-educator
Figure 4: educator
Source: (Howe & Lisi, 2018)
My original social identity was shaped in China. Being largely influenced by Chinese
culture, I have always been taught that one must be very disciple and punctual. Chinese people
are known for their professional behavior. As per my perception, this has been very helpful for
me (Clarke & Mcphie, 2016). As an educator, I will be able to maintain a strong discipline in my
classroom and teach similar values to my students as well. As the Hofstede model suggests that
China is good at adapting to uncertainties, I will be able to support my students in their failures.
As I am of Chinese origin I have also learned about making plans for the long term future. With

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a score of 87, China has a strong long term orientation power than Canada, whose score is
36 (Gerard et al., 2018).
As per my opinion, this is an advantage over Canadian culture. I will be able to help my
students come up with present failures and look for a better future. I have seen that many
educators or teachers in Canada try to exert pressure on students to get immediate results as they
are firm believers in quick results and do not care about the future. However, I oppose this view.
I feel that students must be supported by educators even if they fail. As an educator, I will always
help them to work hard top eventually succeed in the long term.At the same time, I have learned
that Canada is a much more open mind and flexible in adapting to new cultures and ideas (Howe
& Lisi, 2018). Thus I will help my students to become more creative. I have learned that as an
educator I will have to encourage my students to be innovative and share their dynamic ideas
rather than imposing my personal opinions and judgments onto them.

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Part 6: my self-as-citizen
Figure 5: Global Citizen
Source: (Biggio-Gottschling et al., 2018 )
As I am originally from China, I have my roots imbibed within Chinese culture,
However, I have realized that the thought process and behavior of people are subjected to huge
changes as per time, atmosphere and other factors. I have imbibed some good aspects of Chinese
culture like an artistic way of life. As per the opinion of Ahmed and d'Astous (2015), Chinese

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culture is deeply rooted in Art and architecture. Sorokin (2017) has that China is predominately
artistic and not scientific in nature. Sorokin (2017) argued that it is wrong to say China is
incapable of thinking in scientific terms as many dynamic scientific discoveries have taken place
in China. Thus as a responsible citizen, I will always have an amalgamation of science and art
within myself. This will help me in making much dynamic progress. I will be able to establish
myself as a successful business manager as I will be able to bring ideas that are both artistic and
modern (Biggio-Gottschling et al.,2018).
As evident from the image, I will be able to suggest ideas that will make artistic
protection and at the same time take care of scientific advancements. For example, I try to
conduct some CSR activities in my organization that will help the poor and needy children to
carry on their education. However, I will conduct some parent training sessions where I will try
to help people understand that they must encourage the interest of their children. I have learned
from Canadian culture and Chinese culture that one must be ready for ambiguity and
uncertainties and adapt to the same.