The Cross-cultural understanding workshop focused on defining intercultural competence. Intercultural competence is the seen and unseen aspects of culture. These aspects can be divided into objective aspects like food tasting or observing fashion trends in another culture. While there are also subjective aspects of culture that can only be understood through engagement. An example of learning the subjective aspects of culture would be learning the value of time or even learning slang phrases.
I believe it is important to wear multiple “lenses” when it comes to experiencing new cultures. The more lenses you have the more you will be able to understand and accept the differences of others. It is important to note that obtaining multiple lenses comes with time and experience.
During my time abroad in Lima, Perú I was able to acquire a new set of lenses to view the world. Now I can reflect on my stages of intercultural competence. I recall my first moments in polarization. I would project my “U.S” minded judgments of time and productivity into the Peruvian culture. I had the idea that because in the U.S we put a higher priority of time we get more accomplished. In contrast to Peru, where time was not and prioritized I felt they could be doing more as a country. As my time abroad continued I entered into the acceptance and adaptation stages where I understood that “arriving late” was not related to anything personal or being unprofessional. Peruvians value camaraderie and family as a means of happiness and success. Whereas in the United States we prioritize success with what we can achieve. The U.S lives to work while Peru works to live.
Being aware of these differences encouraged me to adapt my habits where I stopped putting pressure on myself to arrive earlier than was necessary. I am growing to acknowledge that there is more to life than our achievements. I am now able to bring a more balanced lifestyle during my transition back to the US.
Adjusting to a new culture can be just as hard as readjusting to your native culture. Having the intercultural competence in mind helps me to gear my process of transition in any part of the world.
Cover photo bychuttersnaponUnsplash
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