The Lottery of Birth

Birth is a lottery. Where, when and to whom you are born and the society into which you are born will influence your life chances.

The randomness of birth plays a significant role in shaping our identities. Imagine if you were born in a different country – how might your life have unfolded? Would you still be the person you are today?

Explore life beyond your homeland with IfItWereMyHome.com. Utilize the country comparison tool to assess living conditions in your current country versus another. Begin by choosing a region to compare on the map to the right and embark on your journey of exploration.

IF IT WERE MY HOME

Lesson plan:

1. Begin by discussing the concept of cultural awareness and how different countries have unique characteristics, lifestyles, and challenges. Encourage students to think about how their lives might be different if they were born in another country.

2. Introduce IfItWereMyHome.com to the students. Explain that the website allows them to compare various aspects of life between their home country and a chosen country. Emphasize that it's a tool for exploring cultural differences, economic conditions, and quality of life.

3. Walk students through the website and demonstrate how to use the country comparison tool. Show them how to select their home country and another country for comparison. Highlight the different categories available, such as life expectancy, income, education, and environmental factors.

4. Assign students to explore the website individually or in small groups. Have them choose a country they find interesting or one that is culturally different from their own. Encourage them to analyze the data and consider how life might be different if they were born in that country.

5. Organize a class discussion where students can present their comparisons and share insights. Encourage them to discuss the factors that contribute to the differences in living conditions between countries. Foster a conversation about global perspectives and the importance of understanding diverse cultures.

6. Assign reflective writing exercises where students can express their thoughts on the activity. Ask them to consider how the experience impacted their perceptions of cultural differences and whether it influenced their appreciation for their own country.

Extension activity:

Extend the activity by exploring specific global issues, such as climate change, poverty, or healthcare, and how different countries are addressing these challenges. This can lead to discussions on global citizenship and the interconnectedness of our world.