In today’s world, with its population of 7 billion people, each characterized by unique backgrounds, beliefs, and customs, the concept of “culture” plays a central role. Culture, with its myriad definitions, can be seen as the collective perception that people share with one another. It serves as a binding force, uniting individuals based on shared perceptions, histories, circumstances, and geographical locations. Culture evolves through a complex interplay of circumstances, geography, and history, shaping our beliefs, values, traditions, arts, rituals, symbols, and languages. While the core human values remain universal, it is the diverse expressions of these values that differentiate us from one another. It’s a bit challenging for an international student to adjust with a cultural environment, in that case they need cultural intelligence to cope up with the new environment.
Despite sharing fundamental emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, or peace, our distinct cultures influence the ways in which we express these emotions. Take, for example, the universal value of respecting elders. While this moral is shared across cultures, the specific expressions of respect may differ significantly. It is in these differences that the richness and diversity of cultures become apparent. As individuals, we inhabit subjective truths, laws, and realities, which may even differ between two people. When we are surrounded by individuals from the same culture, communication and understanding seem effortless, as if everyone is inherently similar. However, when we encounter individuals from different regions and cultures, the disparities become evident.
Each of us leads a unique life, facing challenges, circumstances, and experiences that others may never encounter. Our personal journeys and the events we have experienced shape and mold us into who we are. It is crucial, then, to develop a deep understanding of others’ cultures, to comprehend the factors that have influenced their behavior and personal growth. Cross-cultural understanding becomes paramount in fostering empathy and bridging gaps between diverse individuals.
While the concept of a “global village” introduced by Marshall McLuhan was indeed brilliant, the reality falls short of this ideal. Globalization, as we understand it, cannot be fully applied to the real world. Instead, what we find is not a singular village but a collection of many villages scattered across the globe. Each village possesses its own unique culture and rules that significantly impact its inhabitants. We must let go of the notion of a unified global culture and acknowledge the vast array of cultural diversity that exists.
Misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and even conflicts can easily arise when we lack knowledge and understanding of other cultures. It is a common phenomenon to develop prejudices, stereotypes, or discriminatory attitudes towards those who think or behave differently. Such attitudes can lead to ridicule, mistreatment, or neglect. The solution lies in developing our cultural intelligence.
In today’s digital era of globalization, English has become the most widely used language, and communication methods have become increasingly sophisticated. While it is easier than ever to connect with people from all corners of the world via email, messaging apps, or social media, these mediums do not provide the full range of communication cues. Facial expressions, tone, and body language remain unseen, leaving room for misinterpretation. A simple text or voice message can inadvertently cause offense or ignite anger in the recipient. When such miscommunication occurs between individuals from different cultures, smooth interaction becomes challenging. Even within the same language or accent, nuances vary across cultures, and what may seem harmless to one culture could be deemed offensive by another.
To overcome these barriers, cross-cultural education is essential. Introducing students to different cultures, their values, and morals should be incorporated into academic curricula. Equipping individuals with a basic understanding of diverse cultures can greatly enhance communication effectiveness and promote fruitful interactions. Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize and appreciate the talents and uniqueness of individuals from all cultures, fostering an environment of forgiveness and kindness.
