Welcoming Families

         For this week's assignment, for the family in my scenario, I chose for them to be from Aruba.  In order to culturally responsive towards this family, I would first do research on the country.  I would learn everything that I possibly could about Aruba.  I would learn what the currency, how the government is run,  and everything about the culture.  The second thing I would do would be to learn about family culture and the roles of family members in Aruba.  I try to understand how the family and the household is run.  The third thing I would do is to learn some of the major phrases that are used in Aruba in the native language.  I would make myself accustomed to these certain phrases so that the family does not feel isolated because they do not speak English.  The fourth thing that I would do is to begin learning everything about the individual family that I could before meeting them.  I would look at their family tree, and research their family so that I am able to know them a bit better.  The final thing that I would do would be to make a packet about the U.S. and where they are living.  The packet would include information on the schools, the religious systems, the activities that they will see, how families do things here, and many different things.  However, the packet will be in the families native language. 
          I hope that these preparations will allow the families' transition to go smoothly so that they do not feel like they are being overwhelmed.  I want them to know that they are welcome here, and that they are accepted.  For myself, I hope that I able to understand more about the people from Aruba, so that the next time I have a family from Aruba, I am prepared.