Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

Inter-cultural communication is the process of effectively communicating with people across different cultures and nationalities in a way such that it maintains mutual respect and reduces or minimizes misunderstandings. People from different cultures interpret information in a different manner and hence this can lead to misunderstandings. Hence, it really becomes important that one should have proper knowledge and should make use of proper words to express their views. One should be really careful while talking and commenting about traditional and religious beliefs, as this might not be suitable with people across different cultures.

Studying in an international university like NUS, where we have students from different countries, following different cultures, I'm required to work with students from China, Vietnam, Singapore, U.K, U.S et al, and I'd have to say it's been GREAT fun. Learning about different cultures and interacting with different people made me realize how true the saying "Variety is the spice of life" really is.

In the multi-cultural environment at NUS, especially where there is a lot of emphasis given to team work, conflicts are bound to rise. While working as a team, it is the job at hand that needs to be given utmost priority, and in order to ensure that it be done effectively, what is necessary is that there be a healthy exchange and intermixing of ideas and a good level of understanding between each member of the team. This is only possible if each person learns to respect his or her team mates.

Different cultures may have different beliefs, opinions, and if I may say, entirely different perspectives of life. However, this is not something which should raise conflicts. In fact, we should use it to our benefit to broaden our horizon by learning from every culture we come across, and try to instill the good of each in our lives.

In spite of all the cultural differences, differences in mindsets, opinions and thoughts, what I believe in is:

“Our strength should lie in these differences and not just in similarities”.

We must learn to put aside the prejudices and preconceived notions, be courteous and respectful of each other and participate actively in each interaction, may it be in a team or in our daily lives. And most importantly, we should never let language be a barrier, which is often the main cause of all the awkwardness. Only then will we be able to make diversity our forté and not our weakness.