FINAL BLOG POST

Since I've had the opportunity to travel to so many different places, I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of people. But surprisingly the most interesting intercultural relationship I have is with a person that I met in Nebraska. Kevin Kamseu is not only my fraternity brother but he is also my line brother, which means that we went through the process of joining the fraternity together. During that process we both had to rely on each other to succeed and it helped us to see each other as actual brothers.

Kevin and his family moved to the U.S. from Cameroon, Africa less than 10 years ago, so he hasn't had much time to adapt to American culture. But even with his lack of familiarity with American culture, Kevin and I had no real challenges forming a relationship. Kevin and I immediately became close and to this day we have yet to even have an argument. The only challenge that I can think of was the language barrier. English isn't Kevin's first language, but it's not his second or third either. Kevin's home countries language is so similar to Spanish and French that he is also fluent in both languages as well. With Kevin knowing so many languages and having such a strong Cameroonian accent, it was often hard understanding some of the things he would say. But with time that quickly disappeared and now I'm one of the few people that always knows what Kevin is talking about...even when his accent gets the best of him.

In comparing our relationship to Baxter's (1993) dialectical model explaining relationships, there are a few dialectics that we could relate too. One would be the benefit of acquiring knowledge about the world. There was so many things I was ignorant too about African culture before I met Kevin. Him being a close friend I have been able to ask him even the most awkward questions that a lot of people would be afraid to ask. I know a lot more about African culture and Cameroon then I ever would have if I wasn't friends with Kevin. Kevin also was able to break a few stereotypes I had about Africa. In my mind Africa was a poor place with none of the delicacies we as Americans have. I found out that I was completely wrong and that Africa is a beautiful and prosperous place.

Never in my life would I have imagined having a friend like Kevin. We each come from such different backgrounds that it'd be easy to assume that we'd not be able to relate., but it was the exact opposite. Kevin and I not only are brothers, but best friends, and our relationship helps me appreciate not only intercultural relationships but also intercultural communications.