Cultural Identity & Cultural Differences Free-Samples for Students

Question: Understand your cultural Identity and AppreciateCultural Differences. Answer: 1.Understanding cultural identity appreciating cultural differences International human relations in the modern world are possible because of several reasons such as the interactions during foreign studies, business meetings and business acquiring. Communication is perhaps one of those potential barriers, which acts as a barrier to education and business in foreign countries. The barrier is mainly because of different languages that are spoken in different countries and the prevalence of different cultures. The barrier to different languages is resolvable with the help of some modern day alternatives such as language translator or interpreter (Moran, Abramson and Moran 2014). However, the differences in cultures have so far no answers from the modern world. This is quite evident in some cases such as employees working in foreign companies. They tend to have several issues in adjusting with the new environment. Racism is another strain, which is a strong barrier for the assimilation of different cultures. Hofstede did also highlight these cultural iss ues, which are classified as Hofstedes Six Dimensions of Culture. The main components of the theory are as follows (Carbaugh 2013): Power Distance Index (high versus low) Individualism Versus Collectivism Masculinity Versus Femininity Uncertainty Avoidance Index (high versus low) Pragmatic Versus Normative Indulgence Versus Restraint The six dimensions, which Hofstede has identified protects one from being assimilated with the different people with different cultures. For example, Individualism encourages self-intelligence over teamwork. Person with this quality does not like being in the team; however, it is highly recommended that company should have various team works for a collective workforce. Moreover, it also drives success with the help of collective skills in the form of teamwork. Even, I have come crossed several cultural conflicts such as at the educational place when I was there for the higher studies. I found it difficult to adjust with the changed cultures. I had to work hard on getting assimilated with the people with different cultures at the workplace. The differences in cultures is ot any issue but the problem lies in such mentalities that disrespect people with other culture. The similar thing had happened to me while I was in UK. I had been sent to the country for some project; however, noting was that easy for me there. They were professional but they have high respects for their cultures only. This affected my performance being in UK because I found it tough to come closer to the other employees. The feeling of cultural differences is very hard to resolve. It just requires a proper nurturing of the kids from their early ages. Cultural biases have its roots in the long list generations, which is hard to resolve by just doing some minor changes. It really requires some bold move and huge changes in the societal background, which could nurture the kids under a more advanced contemporary society that knows no differences in different cultures. Learning of different cultures The unfamiliarity to the different kinds of cultures is a barrier to understand the different communication appropriately. The more one gets familiar with the different cultures the more it comes closer to them. The assimilation with the different cultures narrows down the gap in between the different cultures (Jensen 2013). This is very important as it helps understand and establish an effective communication in between people of different cultures. For example, if someone from India gets closer to the UK people, it just helps understand the mentality of their people. This is very handful in coming closer to them, celebrating moment of joys with them and participating in their cultural events. Understanding and realizing the different cultures is a good resource to improve the communication barrier in between them (Kinloch Metge 2014). Academic learning This is one of the best resources for learning the different cultures and being acquainted with their communication. Good universities should include different cultural related activities in their curriculum. The curriculum should well include the variety of different cultures from across the globe. This is very helpful in making them closer to the different cultures. This is also important and useful as different students go to abroad to have some higher studies. This is when the utilization of cultural awareness comes into play. The abroad universities and the degree colleges have a variety of different cultures from different corner of world integrated at just one place. The more a person gets closer to the different cultures the less would be there any confusion on understanding the different cultures. The clashes at the educational places are common; however, this may have some otherwise reasons also such as racism. Nevertheless, the integration with different cultures provide r especting ethics in the inner part, which is the utmost requirement for a peaceful environment having diverse range of cultures integrated to one place (Tomalin and Stempleski 2013). Different people under one society It is also an undeniable fact different nature of people exists under one society. For example, India is such a country that has varied range of different cultures such as Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Punjabis. Nevertheless, the problem related to communication does also persist in such society. Sometimes they are also involved in different kinds of communication conflict. The never dying communication conflicts in between different cultures in India has been reduced to some extent because most educated peoples have now concerns for their business or works. However, the communication in between different cultures is still missing, which is simply because those peoples have less respect to other cultures. Nevertheless, this also validates the point that cultural understanding and the respect for the same is of utmost urgency to minimise the communication barrier (Bochner 2013). Conclusion Communication is a quintessential part of life, which can only be made easier if it is tried with some sheer commitments. The integration with the different cultures is of utmost requirement especially to that nation, which has more cultural conflicts. Nevertheless, cultural awareness and its values help develop effective communication skills. Reference Bochner, S. ed., 2013.Cultures in contact: Studies in cross-cultural interaction(Vol. 1). Elsevier. Carbaugh, D., 2013.Cultural communication and intercultural contact. Routledge. Jensen, K.B. ed., 2013.A handbook of media and communication research: Qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Routledge. Kinloch, P., Metge, J. 2014.Talking past each other: Problems of cross cultural communication. Victoria University Press. Moran, R.T., Abramson, N.R. and Moran, S.V., 2014.Managing cultural differences. Routledge. Tomalin, B. and Stempleski, S., 2013.Cultural awareness. Oxford University Press.