When considering this text, the research team discerned directions, titles, and themes that would hold together chapters from various disciplines. The authors consist of educators, business leaders, a psychologist, cooks, and entrepreneurs. To write a textbook covering the differences, or similarities, between the Americas seemed daunting, but in so many ways became organically cohesive. To that end, we decided on the title of
Common Ground
, the differences that unite us. As each one of the authors has experience living and working in a country outside of their place of birth, we drew on firsthand accounts, relevant research, and new data to demonstrate how similar the Americas are. To highlight this, we selected a variety of chapters that would give students and workers a solid foundation into cross-cultural relations between Latin America and the United States. The book is intended for those who may be planning a first time visit to Latin America, or a worker who may be relocating to a Spanish-speaking country for their employment. This would be the same equation for those from Latin America looking toward a new adventure in the United States. The aim of the text is to give a look at what each area offers from business to food to disability services and provides a blueprint for translating their experience abroad.
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Applying Theory to Practice Through Cultural Understanding For Your Classroom
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