American and British Families Swap Lives Culture Clash Documentary Real Stories
Summary
TLDRThis video covers a cultural exchange between families from the United Kingdom and the United States, aiming to explore and experience each other's cultures. The Stevenson family from Birmingham visits Chicago, while the Owen family from Chicago travels to Birmingham. The video highlights how each family navigates and adapts to the cultural nuances, from trying British cuisine to understanding American sports. The program allows both adults and children to learn valuable lessons about diversity, community, and family dynamics, challenging their preconceived notions about each other's countries.
Takeaways
- π¬π§ UK family's American perspective: The Stevensons explore US culture by visiting Chicago.
- πΊπΈ Chicago to Birmingham: The Owens embrace Birmingham's diverse culture.
- π€ Cultural stereotypes challenged as both families adapt to each other's lifestyles.
- π¨βπ©βπ¦ Family dynamics reshaped through exposure to different cultural norms.
- ποΈ Urban diversity explored, highlighting issues like segregation and integration.
- β½ Sports play: Kids engage in cross-cultural sports activities like cricket and soccer.
- π Theater culture: Both families immerse in each otherβs performing arts scenes.
- π Cross-cultural learning: Children in both families gain new educational experiences.
- π½οΈ Cuisine exchange: Each family tries and reflects on the other's traditional foods.
- π Emotional realizations: Personal growth and empathy develop through shared experiences.
Timeline
- 00:00:00 - 00:05:00
The video explores the cultural exchange between the UK and the USA, as depicted through families swapping lives to uncover the realities of each other's communities. The Owens from Chicago are going to Birmingham, while the Stevensons from the UK head to Chicago. The purpose of the swap includes understanding diverse cultures and overcoming stereotypes.
- 00:05:00 - 00:10:00
In Birmingham, the Owens hope to experience broad multicultural interactions beyond Chicago's segregated neighborhoods. As they settle in, they notice how different the community is. Meanwhile, the Stevensons in Chicago experience unexpected security due to proximity to a high-profile residence, highlighting new neighborhood dynamics.
- 00:10:00 - 00:15:00
In Birmingham, the Owens are greeted with warmth, enjoying a welcome that exceeds their expectations, shifting their views on British hospitality. Concurrently, the Stevensons gain insights into cultural diversity and community engagement in their temporary Chicago neighborhood.
- 00:15:00 - 00:20:00
The Owens navigate taking on new roles within the Stevensons' lifestyle, dealing with challenges such as selecting talent for a theatrical production, which highlights differences in American and British professional environments. This experience potentially enriches their understanding of arts management.
- 00:20:00 - 00:25:00
In Chicago, Greg Stevenson immerses himself in a community project aiding ex-offenders, revealing initial apprehensions about such social initiatives. Meanwhile, in Birmingham, Maria Owen grapples with balancing personal care with familial responsibilities, emphasizing differences in lifestyle priorities between the families.
- 00:25:00 - 00:30:00
Vicky Stevenson experiences a cultural revelation during a Chicago girls' night, understanding more about American work-life dynamics and societal beauty standards. In return, the Owens delve into British traditions like cricket, exposing cultural differences in sports perceptions and participation.
- 00:30:00 - 00:35:00
While engaging in English cultural activities, the Owens discover personal insights and bonding opportunities. The healthcare experience in the UK offers a stark contrast to the American system, leading to reflections on quality and accessibility of services, alongside lighter moments of cultural acclimatization.
- 00:35:00 - 00:43:34
Cultural exchanges continue to evolve perceptions, with the UK visit deeply impacting the Owens' views on inclusivity and acceptance. Despite initial cultural hesitations, bonds form and learnings are made, highlighting the importance of understanding and appreciating diverse lifestyles.
Mind Map
Video Q&A
What is the main theme of the video?
The main theme is cultural exchange between UK and US families, exploring cultural differences and similarities.
Which cities are involved in the exchange program?
The cities involved are Chicago in the USA and Birmingham in the UK.
What activities do the families partake in during the exchange?
They participate in local customs, jobs, and community activities, like cricket in the UK and basketball in the USA.
What is the reason behind the exchange program?
To experience and understand each other's cultures, enhance diversity appreciation, and break stereotypes.
How does the Owen family find living in Birmingham?
They have a rich experience exploring diversity and cultural aspects, enjoying their time despite cultural and lifestyle differences.
What is the American family's perception of British culture before visiting?
They have romantic views of British culture, thinking of the Queen and British traditions.
What opportunities do the children have during the exchange?
They experience educational differences, sports, and cultural activities unique to the host country.
View more video summaries
- 00:00:05ever since they kicked us out of their
- 00:00:07country Britain is enjoyed a famously
- 00:00:09special relationship with the USA to be
- 00:00:16honest book hey-ho we've embraced each
- 00:00:19other's culture right for supporting
- 00:00:22each other's foreign policies and
- 00:00:25scoffed each other's cuisine but do we
- 00:00:28actually speak the same language in the
- 00:00:34series families from across the UK and
- 00:00:36America will swap lives for a week this
- 00:00:39is never ending this and discover what
- 00:00:42really goes on in their twin towns it's
- 00:00:45the time when you gotta raise the black
- 00:00:46flag and you start slitting throats
- 00:00:48today's that day
- 00:00:54welcome to Chicago the Windy City is the
- 00:00:58third largest in the USA and it's got
- 00:01:00the well-endowed CV to match the
- 00:01:02birthplace of the skyscraper it stands
- 00:01:05on the shores of Lake Michigan and
- 00:01:06boasts the two tallest buildings in
- 00:01:09America for major league sports T in
- 00:01:11several top universities world-class
- 00:01:13theaters museums and galleries its own
- 00:01:17cuisine and the Owen family Maria SL jr.
- 00:01:21and a self-sealing who believes in
- 00:01:22upholding traditional family values my
- 00:01:26jobs to bring home the bacon her job is
- 00:01:28to slice it up at the parents hands she
- 00:01:32spends the money very well I couldn't
- 00:01:34ask for a better steward of our finances
- 00:01:36in my way in order to bring home the
- 00:01:39bacon
- 00:01:39I felt senior works three
- 00:01:41community-focused jobs offering small
- 00:01:44business advice to Chicago's
- 00:01:45disadvantaged residents families that I
- 00:01:48work with are going through tremendous
- 00:01:50turmoil I'm here to serve and service in
- 00:01:54the way a family service in the way of
- 00:01:55community I'm doing God's will
- 00:01:57Maria also has a hands full running an
- 00:02:00online fashion accessories business and
- 00:02:02managing a fellow juniors acting career
- 00:02:05he's appeared in short films and
- 00:02:07commercials and thankfully is a better
- 00:02:08actor than years basketball player she
- 00:02:14cuts the back low he takes a load off
- 00:02:17the top but just a little
- 00:02:22like many Americans millions have a
- 00:02:24somewhat romantic view of the UK when I
- 00:02:27think of the the UK the first thing I
- 00:02:30think of is the queen of course I think
- 00:02:32of the fabulous 16 pounds of tights so
- 00:02:37I'm looking forward to a 16 ounce pint
- 00:02:40of ale but if annamaria also have a more
- 00:02:43serious motive for visiting their twin
- 00:02:45town we support diversity support and in
- 00:02:50the multicultural background
- 00:02:52Chicago is a segregated City it's got
- 00:02:55pockets I don't like that about Chicago
- 00:02:57and we want to expose him to every
- 00:03:00ethnicity on this planet as as we can
- 00:03:04the Aryans are heading to the right
- 00:03:06place Chicago's twin town fermium is one
- 00:03:09of the most culturally diverse in the UK
- 00:03:11and even though the Queen doesn't live
- 00:03:13here there are plenty of
- 00:03:14quintessentially British crown jewels
- 00:03:17for visitors to admire the Stevenson
- 00:03:20family have live in the West Midlands
- 00:03:22all their lives
- 00:03:23although Greg and Vicki never made it
- 00:03:25beyond the 1980s they run and perform in
- 00:03:29a theater company paying tribute to the
- 00:03:31decade that understatement for God they
- 00:03:34produced everything that we do we
- 00:03:35choreograph everything that we do direct
- 00:03:38casting director you name it we do it we
- 00:03:43dress up stupid in silly costume
- 00:03:45Cyndi Lauper Madonna Adam Ant you play
- 00:03:48with the white stripes
- 00:03:50Greg and Vicki maybe living the retro
- 00:03:52dream but there unsociable working hours
- 00:03:54leaving different room in their lives
- 00:03:56for friends and family if someone says
- 00:03:58to me would you like to come to my
- 00:03:59wedding and I've got a gig booked I'll
- 00:04:01have to say no sorry one year my man
- 00:04:03Greg got a job in India and over
- 00:04:06Christmas time and whole I didn't have a
- 00:04:08Christmas at Christmastime so I love
- 00:04:10Christmas and January said Brad he's so
- 00:04:13tuned into the way we are that he'll get
- 00:04:16up in the morning and he'll get himself
- 00:04:17dressed and he'll make himself breakfast
- 00:04:19and he will just tap the door and say
- 00:04:21mom I'm off to school now and I jump to
- 00:04:23the window and I wave him off and he's
- 00:04:26going around the corner and I get back
- 00:04:27into bed
- 00:04:30America itself to me I see
- 00:04:33Botox women up to the nines with false
- 00:04:35bits on their bodies hair extensions
- 00:04:39manicures louder than us more brash than
- 00:04:42us confident very confident yeah I'm
- 00:04:45expecting it to be quite unknown hot and
- 00:04:48rough in places they may think the u.s.
- 00:04:51is full of rough allowed people with
- 00:04:53fake boobs but the Stevenson's head to
- 00:04:56Chicago anyway whilst the Owens head for
- 00:04:58bra
- 00:04:59[Music]
- 00:05:02[Applause]
- 00:05:04[Music]
- 00:05:04[Applause]
- 00:05:09here we are we're in Birmingham the
- 00:05:13adventure of a lifetime my son I want
- 00:05:17you to do me a big favor I want you to
- 00:05:18watch everything pay attention to every
- 00:05:22little detail
- 00:05:26the way the air smells the way that
- 00:05:28people talk the way they walk the way
- 00:05:30they act it's gonna give us another look
- 00:05:34at life we can see things through
- 00:05:37someone else's eyes
- 00:05:45[Music]
- 00:05:48arriving at their home for the next
- 00:05:50seven days the alien soon discovered the
- 00:05:52Stevenson's punctual for dressing up
- 00:06:02where a cell gets his freak on the
- 00:06:05Stevenson's are driving through Chicago
- 00:06:07all route to the ER in Zurich
- 00:06:10[Music]
- 00:06:24but at the end to the Owens neighborhood
- 00:06:27their journey is brought to an abrupt
- 00:06:28halt by a real-life Secret Service agent
- 00:06:32excuse me
- 00:06:33so secret his face can't be sure it's
- 00:06:37okay to come in we're new to the area
- 00:06:42which is come on holiday and what's
- 00:06:45going on is it should be would be alarm
- 00:06:47do anything no all the roads are blocked
- 00:06:51off do you know why yeah oh why why
- 00:06:58you're going to do what guys tell us
- 00:07:03you're not gonna tell us but there's
- 00:07:05been no accident or anything safe all
- 00:07:09right thank you yeah
- 00:07:13leaving the scene none the wiser
- 00:07:16the Stephenson's press on to the Owen
- 00:07:18family's three-bedroom home where the
- 00:07:23neighbors have laid on a little Welcome
- 00:07:25Party we found ourselves living in it
- 00:07:40you know black community although we
- 00:07:42live in Birmingham and there's a big
- 00:07:44black community in Birmingham we've
- 00:07:45never actually lived in one so it's
- 00:07:47going to be a great experience while
- 00:07:52they wait for their obligatory Chicago
- 00:07:54dogs to cook the Stevenson's tried to
- 00:07:56get the bottom of the mystery roadblock
- 00:07:58and we saw all the before he up sized
- 00:08:17for the White House Barack Obama lived
- 00:08:19just down the road in a house he still
- 00:08:21uses whenever he's in town living next
- 00:08:24door to brocco bomber well they're
- 00:08:33staying in Birmingham the Owen family
- 00:08:35will be managing the Stevenson's in
- 00:08:371980s Theatre Company and auditioning
- 00:08:39talent for a new show but first they're
- 00:08:42the guest of honor at a welcome party of
- 00:08:44their own
- 00:08:45I don't know what I was thinking I
- 00:08:54didn't expect this the energy the
- 00:08:56excitement and it's for is for us that's
- 00:09:02huge
- 00:09:03that's that's really huge and it's even
- 00:09:20better to come
- 00:09:21these Burmese may not have a president
- 00:09:23living in their neighborhood but they
- 00:09:25can boast a blip for the massive hat I
- 00:09:27[Applause]
- 00:09:33hope that you'll find us the bergen
- 00:09:36people as friendly as I know they are
- 00:09:39everything has been beyond my wildest
- 00:09:42dreams the friendship the kindness and
- 00:09:44the sentiments have been shown to my
- 00:09:46family from this fair city
- 00:09:48yeah she's overwhelming we our pleasure
- 00:09:50and honored to be here with all of you
- 00:09:53my husband is always emotional when he's
- 00:09:55happy and he he'll cry you know he's
- 00:09:57very expressive it like that would you
- 00:09:59like to feel my blink top dog if you
- 00:10:03will of the city bringing us greetings
- 00:10:06and welcomes it doesn't get any better
- 00:10:07than that
- 00:10:07Wow I'm stoked aren't I I don't know how
- 00:10:11much more I can handle
- 00:10:14for the Owen family from Chicago or in
- 00:10:17Birmingham living the lives of the
- 00:10:19Stevenson family who run their own
- 00:10:21theater company this morning it's down
- 00:10:24to the Americans to audition talent for
- 00:10:26an upcoming production of Cinderella
- 00:10:30[Music]
- 00:10:38thank you thank you she had good stage
- 00:10:42presence her moves are real fluid great
- 00:10:45execution of the whole pop she's the one
- 00:10:48that stood out to me when they were
- 00:10:49together as a group ugh yeah I was
- 00:10:51looking at her yeah I kind of can I see
- 00:10:53the difference yeah yeah yeah the babes
- 00:10:55are cute they're fine they're gorgeous
- 00:10:59however it's hard for me to say as cute
- 00:11:02as you are you're not the right babe for
- 00:11:04the part that's an oxymoron in my world
- 00:11:08what cute maid wouldn't be right for any
- 00:11:10part back in Chicago herself jr. works
- 00:11:12as a child actor so he and his family
- 00:11:15know all about costumes I think it gives
- 00:11:17him a greater understanding now of what
- 00:11:19happens is you kind of have to you know
- 00:11:21you see people are talented everybody
- 00:11:22has their strengths but you have to boil
- 00:11:24it down to the person that just fits
- 00:11:26them you know fits the role I think this
- 00:11:27is really gonna help him understand
- 00:11:29actually his craft a little better
- 00:11:35[Music]
- 00:11:41I gotta give them a lot of courage a lot
- 00:12:01of hoo stuff even you know attempting to
- 00:12:03do that it was incredible he's
- 00:12:08definitely not a singer I just can't
- 00:12:10imagine doing this all day long I'd
- 00:12:12shoot myself you know I've stepped into
- 00:12:15the life of some professionals in their
- 00:12:17County on me to make the best decisions
- 00:12:21for this production so this this is this
- 00:12:24is tough this is tough you all brilliant
- 00:12:27however some of you just don't have what
- 00:12:31we're looking for
- 00:12:32Abigail Nikolas and Chloe wish you the
- 00:12:36best have a good day it's kind of sad to
- 00:12:41see people that didn't get it but this
- 00:12:44experience will make me more confident
- 00:12:46at an audition so if I don't get it I
- 00:12:49don't get it I'm not what they're
- 00:12:51looking for in Chicago a Silurian has
- 00:12:56links with many projects aimed at
- 00:12:58helping the local community while he's
- 00:13:00living in a felf shoes Greg Stevens from
- 00:13:03Birmingham has a chance to experience
- 00:13:05one of these firsthand and has come to
- 00:13:08the North Lawndale area of Chicago to
- 00:13:10learn more
- 00:13:11why is the unemployment rate so high in
- 00:13:13Northland the other yeah it's because
- 00:13:15there's a very high high rate of people
- 00:13:17who have been formerly incarcerated oh
- 00:13:19oh do you work or live around
- 00:13:22communities that have higher rates of
- 00:13:24incarceration issue no not particularly
- 00:13:27well I suppose Birmingham does it have
- 00:13:30its own communities like this
- 00:13:31not particularly twin with religion if
- 00:13:35you know Sammy and that's me sweet
- 00:13:37beginnings is an innovative scheme
- 00:13:39designed to get ex-offenders back to
- 00:13:42work alongside some small but very
- 00:13:44industrious colleagues these former
- 00:13:46criminals care for a colony of urban
- 00:13:49bees producing honey and cosmetics that
- 00:13:51are sold around the city productive
- 00:13:56force you know it's something different
- 00:13:58when I was released from prison that has
- 00:14:00made this is that I won't do something
- 00:14:01that's good or otherwise what I used to
- 00:14:03do so the Easter day you commit a lot of
- 00:14:06crime this at this point in my life I'm
- 00:14:10this I do some different that's great
- 00:14:17yeah and I'm 39 now so I'm given two
- 00:14:21I've given away a lot of my life to
- 00:14:22schools
- 00:14:23yeah and I got kids I got a 24 year old
- 00:14:26son a 17 you're doing and 14 you're safe
- 00:14:28mr. lot of that life for a mystery
- 00:14:30trying yeah right and you know actually
- 00:14:32this last a conservation idea wit my saw
- 00:14:35so I got a van had that feel
- 00:14:38yeah to wake up one morning and look at
- 00:14:40the next market see your child yeah well
- 00:14:42that's not me this is nothing something
- 00:14:44different you don't wanna keep passing
- 00:14:46aren't there that this Resource Center
- 00:14:48works with people that are ex-offenders
- 00:14:52and I didn't quite know how I felt about
- 00:14:55that I mean everyone's made a mistake in
- 00:14:56their life you know it just happens that
- 00:14:58these people probably got caught for it
- 00:15:01so you know they're not all bad are they
- 00:15:03they're just normal guys and they want
- 00:15:05to make a change they're looking forward
- 00:15:06not back I've been to prison four times
- 00:15:08and I just somewhere along that line I
- 00:15:12just lost hope
- 00:15:13yeah I never I've never been employed
- 00:15:15never been employed this is my first
- 00:15:17real jobs crazy you know so and I feel
- 00:15:21good about myself
- 00:15:22yeah like I see this yeah you know let's
- 00:15:24get like a citizen this program helped
- 00:15:27me a lot that's great No
- 00:15:30I learned a lot about myself
- 00:15:33so it's a really good place though it's
- 00:15:35really good sit watch that there's
- 00:15:38that's much that they you're right
- 00:15:53this shows that a lot of people give
- 00:15:56back to the community that they live in
- 00:15:58and Vicky myself don't particularly give
- 00:16:01back to the community that we live in I
- 00:16:03mean perhaps we should perhaps we need
- 00:16:06to think about something like that
- 00:16:09meanwhile back in fermium hard-working
- 00:16:12mom Maria her in house for once got some
- 00:16:14time on her hands
- 00:16:15so she's taken them to a nail bar for a
- 00:16:18spot of TLC I know there's gotta be work
- 00:16:20because I haven't had any pampering in a
- 00:16:22long long long time and why is that so
- 00:16:25many kids nice life in family and mom
- 00:16:31had been ill for the last couple of
- 00:16:32years and take care of my grandmother
- 00:16:34and my dad is the element all is is ill
- 00:16:37so mm-hmm
- 00:16:38that along with an 8 year old little boy
- 00:16:40who loved Wow as a budding acting career
- 00:16:43it's a really full time job you really
- 00:16:46have got your hands for me yes ma'am
- 00:16:49she's just a really nice warm genuine
- 00:16:52woman you don't really be that many
- 00:16:55genuine people you know you meet a few
- 00:16:58and when you do you give back it's very
- 00:17:01very important that you take care of
- 00:17:03yourself fine time for you that's
- 00:17:06something know that I will have to try
- 00:17:08to incorporate yeah it's kind of a
- 00:17:12little foreign to me because I'm so used
- 00:17:13to taking care of my jam yes
- 00:17:15you know it's been the family and friend
- 00:17:17well look at the end of the way okay if
- 00:17:19you're not fit and healthy then you
- 00:17:21can't look after your family right and
- 00:17:23if you don't take care of yourself you
- 00:17:24can't do that right so you have to take
- 00:17:27care yourself yes yes okay I
- 00:17:30just gonna have to learn to take that
- 00:17:31advice have some major lessons to learn
- 00:17:33and I'm gonna try to incorporate them on
- 00:17:35my trip back home
- 00:17:37unsurprisingly Maria has a close-knit
- 00:17:40group of friends back in Chicago eager
- 00:17:43to learn more about the British Way of
- 00:17:44life they've invited career-driven
- 00:17:46Brummie Vicky Stephenson to one of their
- 00:17:48regular girls nights in before I came to
- 00:17:54Chicago my perception of people were
- 00:17:57we're going to be mainly Botox nose jobs
- 00:18:01cosmetic surgery perfect boobs bum lips
- 00:18:04but I've got to say I've been proven
- 00:18:07wrong in Chicago it's not like that at
- 00:18:09all in fact I feel like the blonde bimbo
- 00:18:12their perception of America you guys
- 00:18:15have like Jerry Springer and I don't
- 00:18:18know TV
- 00:18:19I don't read newspapers and I don't
- 00:18:21watch the news what do you do I work you
- 00:18:25work work so like if you work so much
- 00:18:31how much time do you get the signature
- 00:18:33sign when breath Cisco will go out to
- 00:18:35work when he comes home from school
- 00:18:36we're not there okay who's there with
- 00:18:38them babysitter okay unless we have a
- 00:18:41tour and then it's like two weeks at a
- 00:18:42time and then a Sunday it's always a day
- 00:18:45of family I was really surprised when
- 00:18:47the key was talking about not being able
- 00:18:49to spend time with her son I'm not
- 00:18:51judging anything but it's just a bit odd
- 00:18:54to me that a mother at least in time
- 00:18:57with her son one day a week described
- 00:19:00areas like she's very fortunate she can
- 00:19:04spend time with Junior Seau and she can
- 00:19:09entertain guests when she feels like it
- 00:19:12hang out house yeah and that's really
- 00:19:16nice I've always thought in the back of
- 00:19:19my mind in an ideal world I'd love to be
- 00:19:21a housewife
- 00:19:22I'm fed up for juggling that with that
- 00:19:24trying to find a babysitter trying to be
- 00:19:27so nice to just wake up in the morning I
- 00:19:29think everything sorted and I'm gonna
- 00:19:30deal with Bradley the washing the iron
- 00:19:33in and
- 00:19:34just the day-to-day running of the house
- 00:19:35thanks girls a fellow in came to
- 00:19:40Birmingham determined to absorb as much
- 00:19:42English culture as possible and culture
- 00:19:45doesn't get much more English than the
- 00:19:47sound of leather on willow today we're
- 00:19:49gonna teach you about the quintessential
- 00:19:51English game of cricket okay so
- 00:19:53hopefully I have some fun and realize
- 00:19:55that you know it's a bit different for
- 00:19:57baseball
- 00:19:58I've watched a little bit on TV and a
- 00:19:59kid looks very interesting and then wow
- 00:20:01I'm will alow local cricketers Gavin and
- 00:20:04Stuart will begin by giving the American
- 00:20:07an important lesson in ball control the
- 00:20:10first and most important piece of
- 00:20:11equipment the box why when you're facing
- 00:20:15someone who can hit you at 90 miles an
- 00:20:16hour in their private regions you need
- 00:20:19this I hope it's big enough for you it's
- 00:20:21English size and make it look easy the
- 00:20:24considerate twins still seem to be
- 00:20:26concerned about themselves crown jewels
- 00:20:28so begin with some gentle underarms keep
- 00:20:31watching that ball well it's exciting
- 00:20:45I'm finding a tad bit of a challenge I'm
- 00:20:47not used to hold enough piece of wood in
- 00:20:49that manner now they're gonna get into a
- 00:20:51a little more of a real-life situation
- 00:20:54here way out there yeah a little bit of
- 00:20:57pace up we've stepped up a little bit
- 00:21:00okay running gap
- 00:21:06right sure so for come on Caffrey doing
- 00:21:10knock him over that's it
- 00:21:12I can't have a Yank getting away with it
- 00:21:14yeah I know you're coming with in there
- 00:21:15I know I'm coming for you baby I know
- 00:21:19you are come on with yeah yeah yeah hey
- 00:21:31it's both strike I'm really getting into
- 00:21:34this yeah yeah yeah cuz I'm gonna go
- 00:21:35back and show the boys how it's done
- 00:21:40Fairplay he showed some bottle didn't
- 00:21:42get him out so plaudits to him I've
- 00:21:47discussed it it's been a humbling
- 00:21:52experience for the Brits and their
- 00:21:54misery is only brought to an end when
- 00:21:55the American novice picks up an injury
- 00:21:57got a little war injury there that was
- 00:22:00pretty nasty that's part of the game
- 00:22:02it's party to sport so now I feel
- 00:22:04official I can go back to Chicago and
- 00:22:10have my buds over and we can watch the
- 00:22:12game and I can be a bit of a show-off
- 00:22:13and tell them about the game and how the
- 00:22:15game is played and maybe who knows
- 00:22:17encouraged them to play so you bust my
- 00:22:19cherry I was a virgin not for me a
- 00:22:21proper in Birmingham a fellow in from
- 00:22:26Chicago is about to get his first
- 00:22:27experience of the NHS he injured his
- 00:22:30thumb playing cricket yesterday so these
- 00:22:32are route to the Good Hope hospital to
- 00:22:34see if it's life-threatening
- 00:22:38I don't know a lot about the medical
- 00:22:41system here but back home you pay for it
- 00:22:44if you have insurance you're fortunate
- 00:22:45and insurance cost a lot you pay for and
- 00:22:48if you don't have insurance then you're
- 00:22:50in big trouble if I were back home right
- 00:22:52now I injured myself and didn't have
- 00:22:54insurance I would more likely not go to
- 00:22:57seek out medical treatment just because
- 00:22:59of the fact that I I know I can't pay
- 00:23:01for it I know I'll be all day I don't
- 00:23:08think it's broken it's always a pleasure
- 00:23:19to follow a pretty lady moments later
- 00:23:22the silver-tongued American is lighting
- 00:23:24up the x-ray department hi how are you
- 00:23:27okay
- 00:23:29you're quite a pretty lady I must say is
- 00:23:31that okay to say that you all girls are
- 00:23:36just so beautiful my goodness yes yes
- 00:23:39yes as I'm looking around the x-ray room
- 00:23:42I noticed these things called uh don't
- 00:23:44add shields and hadn't seen those
- 00:23:47stateside maybe there's a reason why I
- 00:23:49haven't seen them and as I read further
- 00:23:51on they protect the gonads doing x-ray
- 00:23:53so that's interesting I'll keep that in
- 00:23:55mind when I get back that part right
- 00:23:57there okay yeah I say so it's broken
- 00:24:08experience has been wonderful this
- 00:24:11health care system is wonderful it has a
- 00:24:14lot and maybe we over in America could
- 00:24:16emulate how things have done here
- 00:24:19Chicago yes and I'm here visiting and
- 00:24:23unfortunately I had a nasty little
- 00:24:24injury playing cricket yesterday and the
- 00:24:27health care here has been phenomenal
- 00:24:29right in the world so thank you so much
- 00:24:33take care good day now both and there
- 00:24:38you have it
- 00:24:40all women like me young old doesn't
- 00:24:44matter all women like gwella sells
- 00:24:50winning hearts and minds at the hospital
- 00:24:52his son is doing much the same at
- 00:24:54another British institution
- 00:24:55[Music]
- 00:24:59for child actor Ethel jr. a UK classroom
- 00:25:03offers an ideal opportunity to practice
- 00:25:05his received pronunciation what who
- 00:25:09thinks they've got an interesting phrase
- 00:25:11they can come and help teacher fell to
- 00:25:14stay in our English accent : brat I like
- 00:25:23chips and fish also I like chips and
- 00:25:29fish also having mastered the English
- 00:25:40accent itself Junius sets his sights on
- 00:25:43the national game and his mom Maria is
- 00:25:45cheering him on the eight year old has
- 00:25:47played soccer back in Chicago but his
- 00:25:50touch is a little rusty
- 00:25:54as good as you guys he's been sure for
- 00:26:05his age she's used to being around
- 00:26:07adults all the time so it's really
- 00:26:08really good right now to see him out
- 00:26:10there just relaxing and having fun and
- 00:26:13playing with the other kids I love it
- 00:26:15got one two three four five six seven
- 00:26:18eight nine ten five toys
- 00:26:20bhana so as the teams are being picked
- 00:26:23Chicago is answer to Freddie Flintoff
- 00:26:25makes his heroic return from hospital
- 00:26:28but my thumb yeah well when you're a
- 00:26:33authentic cricket player you get hurt
- 00:26:38he's doing
- 00:26:41[Music]
- 00:26:47now look boy having a time of his life
- 00:26:54he's doing right before my very eyes and
- 00:26:57this trip is I was a little disappointed
- 00:27:14that I didn't get one on my own but I
- 00:27:17still did school or in another way a few
- 00:27:20to come and play with us has been an
- 00:27:21honor for us and you do really really
- 00:27:23well you tried your hardest and that's
- 00:27:25what we asked for
- 00:27:25so you now get one of these will new
- 00:27:28cook wonder his medals cuz you've put a
- 00:27:31fire with us well done mate in Chicago
- 00:27:40the Stevenson family have taken a leap
- 00:27:42out of the aliens book and rather than
- 00:27:44constantly working are actually being a
- 00:27:47family for a change can worship their
- 00:27:53day begins with a shift at a friend of a
- 00:27:55Phil's pizzeria where all they need to
- 00:27:59think about is a new Birmingham themed
- 00:28:01pizza recipe no pattern in the middle
- 00:28:09next on the itinerary a guided tour of
- 00:28:11the city's spectacular architecture now
- 00:28:14the name Chicago is the French
- 00:28:17derivation of a Native American word
- 00:28:19meaning stinky onion swamp now we're
- 00:28:25here it's it's quality time
- 00:28:27which is quite relaxing oh yeah we are
- 00:28:29actually relaxed in it are you relaxing
- 00:28:32yeah is it nice spending time with us oh
- 00:28:36boy we got a big Anan the right folks
- 00:28:39that is the Sears Tower because we're
- 00:28:43spending more quality time with Brad
- 00:28:44like I didn't know that Brad knew that
- 00:28:46the biggest skyscraper was in Dubois you
- 00:28:50know you know and he just came out with
- 00:28:52that I'm like wow he's great at school
- 00:28:54but it's really nice that he interacts
- 00:28:56with us about things and and historical
- 00:28:58events enough you know architecture and
- 00:29:01places of interest he knows quite a lot
- 00:29:04of stuff proud of you it's virtually
- 00:29:11impossible to to compare Chicago with
- 00:29:15Birmingham because Birmingham have got a
- 00:29:16few big buildings here and there a few
- 00:29:18nice hotels but to go on that tour we've
- 00:29:22just been on it really outlines a
- 00:29:25complete difference between the two
- 00:29:26cities this is magnificent back in the
- 00:29:33UK
- 00:29:33FL and Maria are being treated to a
- 00:29:36Birmingham tradition two of the
- 00:29:38Stevenson's colleagues from the theatre
- 00:29:39company have brought them to the
- 00:29:41legendary Bolton built home to over
- 00:29:43fifty curry houses but before they get
- 00:29:46stuck in FL asked that they observe a
- 00:29:48tradition of his own
- 00:29:52with almond hands please would we do
- 00:29:55this let us bow our heads Heavenly
- 00:29:58Father thank you for this opportunity to
- 00:29:59be here with new friends on a new
- 00:30:01adventure grace isn't something that
- 00:30:03I've done since I was a school and it's
- 00:30:04made me sort of when he asked if we
- 00:30:06could all hold hands I was a bit like oh
- 00:30:07my god this is weird
- 00:30:09thank you for the opportunity to grow
- 00:30:11and to learn in his name we say Amen
- 00:30:14thank you not coming from a mega
- 00:30:16religious background it's not something
- 00:30:18that we do you know on a Sunday lunch
- 00:30:19just sit around the table and say grace
- 00:30:20but yeah it was really nice really nice
- 00:30:27I'm very glad that we're here for my had
- 00:30:31come on my own I wouldn't have found
- 00:30:33this place I wouldn't have even made it
- 00:30:34to this part of town so this has been uh
- 00:30:37big ups for me big ups wait stepping
- 00:30:40into and like Nahanni populist Asian
- 00:30:42community and comparisons what it's like
- 00:30:43in Chicago as a black man you know in
- 00:30:46Chicago when I go about I am always
- 00:30:51curious to how I will be treated yeah
- 00:30:53you know I have this internal radar you
- 00:30:56know is the food gonna be laid are they
- 00:30:58gonna delay my order is they gonna feed
- 00:31:01everyone else before they serve me
- 00:31:02because you're black because black and I
- 00:31:07gotta tell you since I've been here I
- 00:31:11didn't know that I'm black and I'm
- 00:31:14treated as a man as opposed to as a
- 00:31:18black man and it feels good yeah the
- 00:31:22whole time you've been here in
- 00:31:23Birmingham we've seen so many different
- 00:31:24types of cultures but everybody blends
- 00:31:26in even though this might be in
- 00:31:28different neighborhoods or whatever but
- 00:31:29everybody seems to fit really well it's
- 00:31:32bringing out so many emotions that
- 00:31:39my son would actually be in the world he
- 00:31:43is not judged by its color but the
- 00:31:46content of his character
- 00:31:49you know to be out of that fishbone to
- 00:31:51another fish bowl is quite refreshing
- 00:31:54their like I drink to that yeah he's got
- 00:31:57really emotional when we're talking
- 00:31:58about how welcoming we all are over here
- 00:32:00and to me it sort of seems odd that he
- 00:32:03feels segregated in his own mind when we
- 00:32:07sort of welcome people with open open
- 00:32:08arms over here
- 00:32:09I mean I'm waiting for that moment you
- 00:32:11know gay I know it's coming wait for it
- 00:32:12wait for it where is it and it's it's
- 00:32:15not here my husband is a very emotional
- 00:32:17man and he feels real deeply about a lot
- 00:32:19of things and I guess he's learned a lot
- 00:32:21about himself and it's a wonderful
- 00:32:22experience for my child to see because
- 00:32:24right now he sees the world colourless
- 00:32:26and I want him to continue to see life
- 00:32:30that way and this this has been a
- 00:32:31wonderful experience for all of us to UM
- 00:32:33you know to kind of come here and see
- 00:32:35things outside of our little box so in
- 00:32:39my own self-discovery
- 00:32:41you know maybe it's my prejudice I'm
- 00:32:45growing I'm being exposed to a much
- 00:32:48bigger part of the world and at the part
- 00:32:51of the world that I know is just quite
- 00:32:52small the Catholic faith plays an
- 00:32:59important role in the lives of the alien
- 00:33:01family from Chicago in an attempt to
- 00:33:04understand why the agnostic Stephenson's
- 00:33:07from Birmingham are attending Mass at
- 00:33:09the Owens local church
- 00:33:12time we go to churches funerals when
- 00:33:16keys where did our one Christmas
- 00:33:19christened maybe a today I need to I
- 00:33:27need to see something to make me believe
- 00:33:29and if I get touched today I'll come out
- 00:33:31and say I've been touched by the Lord's
- 00:33:32that's great but I've never seen Jesus
- 00:33:36Vicky shouldn't feel too hard done by
- 00:33:39Jesus Christ doesn't often do personal
- 00:33:41appearances but in this church at least
- 00:33:43he's still back in them in
- 00:33:48[Music]
- 00:33:50Oh No we arrived and they give you the
- 00:33:56leaflet and I had to look through and
- 00:33:59suddenly I saw a prayer which was
- 00:34:03dedicated to fathers not to fathers
- 00:34:06they've passed they just just got me I
- 00:34:10didn't think for one minute that I would
- 00:34:13cry
- 00:34:15about my dad because you think you're
- 00:34:18over things but it was the it was the
- 00:34:20prayer now the Lord hasn't touched me
- 00:34:23but I think that the fact that I'm still
- 00:34:26grieving for my father did
- 00:34:28[Music]
- 00:34:33the singing and the atmosphere the
- 00:34:36community spirit in here is amazing and
- 00:34:39you just had to get into it
- 00:34:48back in the UK you know you come in you
- 00:34:51have the service which is quite dreary
- 00:34:52and then you leave but here it's so
- 00:34:54community driven and after the service
- 00:34:56you sit around and have a chat and get
- 00:34:59to know each other
- 00:35:00Church is definitely better over here in
- 00:35:04the UK definitely the Owen family came
- 00:35:08to Birmingham determined to soak up as
- 00:35:10much culture as possible today they're
- 00:35:13visiting nearby Tamworth castle where
- 00:35:15the staff immediately make a third
- 00:35:17senior feel very welcome things that
- 00:35:20were thrown at them when they were in
- 00:35:21these stocks done urine and poop thrown
- 00:35:26at them if you imagine it all dripping
- 00:35:30off your face Wow
- 00:35:39Wow this is new to me I believe this
- 00:35:42might be the first Castle I've ever been
- 00:35:44in beside Disneyland but uh this is my
- 00:35:47first real careful would you like a
- 00:35:50norman helmet to put on top you bet I
- 00:35:52would yeah I feel like I now need is a
- 00:36:14horse it's nice to see him have fun and
- 00:36:18wear the costume when he wears the
- 00:36:20costume he gets into character man try
- 00:36:23the other helmet on my dad likes
- 00:36:27Thundercats he-man adventures Star Trek
- 00:36:30he's a little bit of a big kid
- 00:36:33wow this has got some weight to it on
- 00:36:38this day forward milady
- 00:36:40I suddenly pledge my life to thee to
- 00:36:44protect to honor and to serve if you'll
- 00:36:46have me
- 00:36:47I indeed do thank you man I wish I could
- 00:36:57have kept that yeah sport plays a big
- 00:37:02part in the culture identity of both
- 00:37:03Birmingham and Chicago over in the Windy
- 00:37:06City young Brad steals and he's learning
- 00:37:08the finer points of a sport for which
- 00:37:10Chicago is famed first the fake
- 00:37:17[Applause]
- 00:37:18I'm gonna get that fake come all the way
- 00:37:20up and then you move let me see you do
- 00:37:23that one on you come all the way up all
- 00:37:28the way over your head there you go
- 00:37:30there you go I brag you're ready Rock
- 00:37:34him his parents busy work schedules mean
- 00:37:36Brad can't always count on their support
- 00:37:39at his sporting endeavors I think my mom
- 00:37:41would like to spend more time with me
- 00:37:43but but she really can't because the
- 00:37:46work is like 24/7
- 00:37:48but Vic is not working this week so
- 00:37:51she's finally getting a chance to see
- 00:37:52Brad in action
- 00:37:55I'm here because sometimes on the
- 00:37:58Saturday when he's actually playing
- 00:37:59football practice I've just got back
- 00:38:02from the gig so I can always make it
- 00:38:03still really well by the looks of it
- 00:38:05yeah
- 00:38:06Vicky's not seen anything yet Brad is
- 00:38:09about to unleash his new signature move
- 00:38:12you see the fate
- 00:38:20[Music]
- 00:38:32[Music]
- 00:38:34[Applause]
- 00:38:36[Music]
- 00:38:38proud history as I have always but yeah
- 00:38:41that was really good that he got in
- 00:38:43there and really got in and gotta go
- 00:38:46yeah he looked like he was a bit of a
- 00:38:48natural if I say so myself Yorkers you
- 00:38:51this looks a good job today all right
- 00:38:52coach woods and I wanted to give you a
- 00:38:54game ball to say thanks for coming out
- 00:38:57and playing with us and uh you know hope
- 00:38:59you were picking up as a sports my
- 00:39:02experience here in Chicago has made me
- 00:39:04actually think you know what I'd love
- 00:39:06six months off and just do full-time mum
- 00:39:08and that's it
- 00:39:11it's the Stevenson's last evening in
- 00:39:14Chicago so they're taking one final
- 00:39:17family outing to the top of America's
- 00:39:19tallest building the Willis Tower we
- 00:39:22want you to come to Chicago on this
- 00:39:24opportunity mainly in in my mind to
- 00:39:28bring Brad to America because it's it's
- 00:39:32it's okay sitting at home reading about
- 00:39:34America but there's nothing better than
- 00:39:35coming here and seeing for yourself I
- 00:39:37didn't think it was gonna be as pretty
- 00:39:39as it is it's really nice and then we
- 00:39:42got you know submerged in an
- 00:39:44african-american community the people
- 00:39:46are great
- 00:39:50Brad's growing up from is going from a
- 00:39:53boy to a man and I've been finding that
- 00:39:56quite difficult working at the same time
- 00:39:59but this week I have got to know him
- 00:40:01more yeah I've enjoyed spending a lot
- 00:40:03more time with mom this week but because
- 00:40:05we never really get to do it at home
- 00:40:07because it's always like working quite a
- 00:40:09lot I think with everybody family is
- 00:40:12important you know my family
- 00:40:14Greg me and Brad as a unit that's that's
- 00:40:18all I live for and that's why I have to
- 00:40:19work I mean we do spend a lot of time
- 00:40:22together but it's always not quality
- 00:40:26time I think you know my I love my job
- 00:40:28and it's my passion but at the end of
- 00:40:30the day the family unit has to be a
- 00:40:32successful and happy one
- 00:40:34[Music]
- 00:40:40for the owners final evening in
- 00:40:42Birmingham the Stevenson's Theatre
- 00:40:44Company are throwing a leaving party in
- 00:40:46their honor
- 00:40:47and they've got two school uniforms
- 00:40:49going spare I'm normally a giver and
- 00:41:02this trip has taught me how to receive
- 00:41:04it's allowed me to slow down my husband
- 00:41:07says he thinks he found his old wife
- 00:41:09back again because I've been able to you
- 00:41:11know let my hair down and relax and
- 00:41:13laugh now I just need to make sure that
- 00:41:23when I go home that I take this back
- 00:41:24with me that I find some kind of way to
- 00:41:26have some me time and so that I could be
- 00:41:29good to myself and also be even better
- 00:41:31to my family next its Hotels time to
- 00:41:36murder a classic from the ages
- 00:41:43[Music]
- 00:41:47on stage on his luck he just went a
- 00:41:49month or perhaps would be crazy
- 00:41:51darzee's don't worry every time I think
- 00:41:54of you who I know we had to me and I
- 00:41:57just can't get enough and I just can't
- 00:42:00get enough what a rush
- 00:42:01what I'm drilling rush I mean I was
- 00:42:04nervous going out once the music started
- 00:42:07the fans are there people are waving and
- 00:42:09making noise Wow
- 00:42:16[Applause]
- 00:42:20[Music]
- 00:42:22[Applause]
- 00:42:24I couldn't look fat in my wildest dreams
- 00:42:29that it would be like this this has been
- 00:42:32a phenomenal life-changing experience we
- 00:42:36are not the same people that we were
- 00:42:38when we got off the plane we can't be
- 00:42:40and we won't be this trip has been
- 00:42:42amazing I've learned an English accent
- 00:42:45I've learned a little bit more about my
- 00:42:47family and myself and I just really
- 00:42:50really want to come back that's it it
- 00:42:53feels like I'm already at home my home
- 00:42:56away from home and so all of these folks
- 00:43:00that I've met to be putting the category
- 00:43:03of friend says a whole lot
- 00:43:07[Music]
- 00:43:32you
- Cultural Exchange
- US-UK Relations
- Family Swap
- Socio-Cultural Differences
- Community Engagement