shiroi_tiger: (Default)
Nathan Algren ([personal profile] shiroi_tiger) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2009-05-13 11:36 pm
Entry tags:

Culture Shock, Thursday, 5/14, Period 2

When the students settled around the main campfire today, they might notice that their teacher was already sitting there and waiting for them, his arms crossed over his chest, dressed in an outfit that might even be considered fancy dress clothes... If you were looking for fancy dress clothes from America, 1876.

If Algren was going to teach a class about culture shock, he was going to demonstrate that he was just as susceptible to it as any of his students were, around here.

"I see a few new faces," he noted, remaining where he was seated as he surveyed the class. "Which, considering the subject material of this workshop, doesn't surprise me. Either the majority of you have found yourself in a place that's a far cry from the home you're used to, or you're looking to end up in such a place in the future, I'd wager." There was a pause, and Algren allowed himself a moment to look amused. "Or else there was a mix-up in the office. If that was the case, I won't judge. You might learn something here, regardless.

"This class, ladies and gents, is going to cover the several stages of culture shock, one week at a time. I'll do my best to base the course material around scenarios that will serve you well here in Fandom, but the goal when the workshop is through is to give you hands-on experience dealing with culture shock in a less... absurd environment, as well." He was allowed to call Fandom absurd, damn it. "Culture shock, for those of you who might not be familiar with the term, is what occurs when a person spends an extended period of time in a culture that is different from one's own. It isn't necessarily instantaneous, as the name suggests, but it can wreak havoc on a person's mental state and emotions, once that person begins to come to the realization that the behaviors that they're comfortable with won't necessarily get them the results that they expect in their new environment.

"I'm going to make today's class an easy one. Introductions. I want names, where you're from, one thing about Fandom that strikes you as oddly different from the place you call home, and one thing about where you come from that you think might come as a shock to people from the outside, starting with..." He pointed at a random student. "You."

A beat. "Oh, and I'm looking to fill in a second TA spot. If anyone happens to be interested in taking a little responsibility alongside Miss Sawyer in helping the class survive the term, please come and speak to me after we're finished our introductions."

[The TA slots are already chosen, but feel free to ping to Algren to attempt to win him over, if you'd like. Syllabus, rules, and class list are here!]
glacial_queen: (Default)

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-05-14 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
*To speak as we are uses threads. Females use a distaff thread; males a spear thread. And I don't think either of us are imagining this. This class is a bit beyond the pale for that--and would you really have dreamed up certain arrogant princes?*

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[identity profile] formerbrat.livejournal.com 2009-05-14 05:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Elspeth covered her mouth to hide a giggle. :Where I'm from, anyone with the Gift can speak to anyone else. Gender doesn't come into it.:
glacial_queen: (Default)

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-05-14 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
*Can you speak to animals this way, too? Back home, we have the kindred. They're Blood, as I am, but non-human.* So far, Elspeth sounded as if she came from a world much like Kaeleer.


[And now I laugh till I cry about Valdemar and Kaeleer having anything in common beyond magic.]

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[identity profile] formerbrat.livejournal.com 2009-05-14 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
:Only to my Companion, but she isn't really an animal,: Elspeth Sent.
glacial_queen: (Default)

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-05-14 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
*Who is your companion?* Karla asked, not grasping the capital C.

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[identity profile] formerbrat.livejournal.com 2009-05-14 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
:Gwena,: Elspeth said. :She's a sort of friend, guide and mentor, and she wears the shape of a white horse.:
glacial_queen: (Default)

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-05-14 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
*What does she do while you take classes?* Karla asked. *Is she taking other classes? I know they had a unicorn for a student once, so her shape should not be a problem.*

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[identity profile] formerbrat.livejournal.com 2009-05-14 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Elspeth hid a giggle again as she tried to imagine Gwena in class. :No, she has her time to herself when I'm in classes and such.:
glacial_queen: (Grin)

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-05-14 08:50 pm (UTC)(link)
*What does she do? I don't see her offering pony rides to pass the time,* Karla said wryly.

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[identity profile] formerbrat.livejournal.com 2009-05-14 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Elspeth snorted. :I don't keep track of her all day, but I know she's spent some time down by the water's edge. A body of water that size is new to both of us!:
glacial_queen: (Enthusiastic)

Re: Introductions [05/14]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-05-14 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Karla nodded enthusiastically. *I've never seen the ocean, either. I'll be seeing it for the first time, tomorrow. I can't wait! I'm told that it isn't yet warm enough to swim, but where I'm from, it gets much colder than this. Here, it's positively balmy.*