This free intercultural communication essay example focuses on the benefits of intercultural relationships. It explains the importance of personal interactions between culturally different people, describes the strategies of cultural interchange, and highlights the meaning of stereotypes in this process.
Introduction
This free intercultural communication essay example focuses on the benefits of intercultural relationships. It explains the importance of personal interactions between culturally different people, describes the strategies of cultural interchange, and highlights the meaning of stereotypes in this process.The chapter “Culture, Communication, and Intercultural Relationships” gives a detailed analysis of the issues associated with intercultural relationships. Such relationships have been observed to present both challenges and benefits. Through such relationships, individuals can acquire knowledge, gain new skills, and break stereotypes. Some of the major challenges include anxiety, increased cases of stereotyping, coping with social differences, and individuals being forced to explain themselves to others. The text outlines six intercultural relationships dialects.
These include history-present/future, cultural-individual, differences-similarities, static-dynamic, personal-contextual, and privilege-disadvantage. Effective communication approaches can make it easier for people to understand intercultural relationships much better. The social science process focuses on a person’s role in a given relationship. The interpretive approach focuses on the features of different human relationships.
Intercultural relationships are usually characterized by competences, turning points, and similarities. Communication-style and language differences can be exacerbated in every online communication process. In the workplace setting, relationships are associated with varying notions about leadership and hierarchy. Although intercultural marriages are common, some families or societies still disapprove of the practice. This is the reason why intercultural marriages continue to face numerous challenges such as stereotypes and child-rearing differences.
That being the case, political and religious institutions can be encouraged to focus on the best practices that can promote intercultural relationships. Historical developments and institutions can be used to support the importance of intercultural relationships. The chapter goes further to indicate that religious institutions, schools, and families can either discourage or promote intercultural relationships. People should focus on the benefits of intercultural relationships to support one another and eventually promote cohesion.
Intercultural Communication: Personal Experience
The class materials have equipped me with adequate competencies and skills that can be used to strengthen my intercultural relationships. Within the past few weeks, I have managed to interact with more people from diverse backgrounds. To begin with, I have established a new friendship with one of my classmates from a different culture. Initially, I used to think that people from my friend’s cultural group were usually unwelcoming and antisocial. However, I have managed to share numerous ideas and stories with my classmate. To succeed in my interactions with culturally distinct people, it has been appropriate to use most of the skills gained from the course. I have gone further to listen attentively, use simple English, and identify the best environment for effective communication.
Additionally, I have been initiating new conversations with other people from different cultural backgrounds. Even though some stereotypes and differences exist, I have understood how to respect others and support their interactional needs. The decision to form new relationships with people from diverse cultural groups is something that has led to improved intercultural communication skills.
The learning institution and my church have helped me establish new intercultural relationships. This is the case because such institutions have been encouraging more people to interact with their neighbors professionally. With these achievements, I have managed to acquire new skills that will make it easier for me to interact positively with more people in the future. Although challenges such as language barriers and stereotypes have been encountered when trying to communicate with people from different cultures, I will work hard to strengthen skills and eventually improve my intercultural relationship philosophy.
The Importance of Intercultural Communication Strategies
Intercultural competence is critical because it makes it easier for people to interact with others positively and realize their potential. The course has equipped me with adequate ideas and approaches that can be used to improve my intercultural competence. I have therefore used this information to come up with an evidence-based tactic that will result in improved intercultural competence.
The tactic is defined by five unique steps that can work effectively for every individual. The first thing is acknowledging the attributes and facts of my culture. This kind of awareness is what will make it easier for me to appreciate other people’s cultural values. The second thing or approach is being a learner. This goal can be supported by interacting with more people and addressing emerging challenges together.
Curiosity is another critical attribute of the tactic. A curious person will be ready to experience other cultures and learn more about them. The fourth feature is being able to observe and listen carefully. The practice will equip an individual with new ideas about the targeted culture. Issues such as speaking rhythm, personal space, and purpose of a specific culture will be clearly understood.
The fifth aspect that can be used to support the approach is the willingness to experience a wide range of cultural groups regularly. This goal will be realized by traveling widely, interacting with others, watching movies from diverse social groups, and establishing new friendships. Individuals who embrace the power of this strategy will be able to improve their intercultural competencies. Consequently, persons with competent intercultural skills will pursue their goals, support one another, and create the best environment for their colleagues.
The Role of Stereotypes in Intercultural Relationships
Stereotyping is a common practice in every society today. This is the case because stereotyping focuses on unique aspects such as clothing style, race, sex, and cultural practice. Although stereotypes might be treated negatively by people, the undeniable fact is that they can be used positively to support human interactions.
To begin with, stereotypes can be used by people to describe their views about specific practices. For instance, a stereotype can be used to get a clear understanding of a given cultural group. More often than not, stereotypes are usually positive and encourage people to emulate the best attributes and behaviors associated with different cultural groups. With a proper understanding of the stereotypes associated with different groups, it will be easier to communicate positively and avoid specific words that can disorient the existing intercultural relationship.
Without stereotypes, it can be impossible to understand the issues associated with other cultural groups. This means that more people will be in a position to use stereotypes to establish the best relationships with others. A stereotype will also empower a person to respond rapidly to a specific event or situation based on experience.
The use of stereotypes will guide more people to associate with others, deal with potential worries, and reshape their feelings accordingly. Stereotypes are therefore relevant because they make it easier for people to emulate behaviors that can make it possible for them to interact positively with others. Many experts believe strongly that the process will promote the development of new intercultural competencies and communication skills. This analysis, therefore, encourages people to view stereotypes differently because they have the potential to support how individuals from different backgrounds interact with others.
Conclusion
According to Chapter 12, Intercultural communication is a powerful concept that can support the best relationships between people from diverse backgrounds. This is the case because intercultural communication competence is usually contextual and individual. To succeed in intercultural communication, it is appropriate to focus on specific components.
These include behaviors, attitudes, skills, and motivation. With increased levels of motivation, more individuals will develop desirable behaviors and skills in an attempt to interact with others effectively. Competence, according to the text, has four unique levels. These include conscious incompetence, unconscious incompetence, unconscious competence, and conscious competence. Individuals therefore must focus on the best approaches in an attempt to develop the best intercultural communication skills and competencies.
People who want to interact with others successfully should apply knowledge about intercultural relationships and communication. They can do so by starting healthy conversations with other people, forming friendships with more people from different backgrounds, and establishing the best coalitions. Every individual is encouraged to work for personal transformation, acquisition of new skills, and social justice. The insights gained from the chapter can guide more people to interact with others positively.
For instance, forgiveness is critical whenever there are cultural complexities. This practice is relevant when people are not aware when cultural transgression can occur. It is also acknowledgeable that the future will be challenging due to the current wave of globalization. Individuals involved in international economic practices, military activities, and political involvement will, therefore, be required to be prepared for the inevitable obstacles for intercultural interactions and communications. The chapter goes further to present useful websites that can guide more people to improve their intercultural relationship skills. For instance, volunteering and working overseas are powerful practices that can result in new intercultural competencies.