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Aman Patel

Señor Soto

Spanish 1411

25 July 2020

The Importance of Cross-Cultural Awareness

In an increasingly globalized world, cross-cultural awareness and communication is becoming more and more important. According to the National Centre for Cultural Competence, cultural awareness is “being cognizant, observant, and conscious of similarities and differences among and between cultural groups” (NCCC n.d). It is quite apparent from this definition that cross-cultural awareness is vital to positive interactions and that many benefits arise from it.

I will be focusing on one general area - the ability of cross-cultural awareness to break down barriers between cultures and humans. Adults are often so caught up in judging each other for differences that they do not realize how they may be similar. Toddlers never question things like skin color when playing with each other and focus on the things they have in common. However as they grow older, they learn about things like judgement and start to focus on difference. The ability for cross-cultural awareness to break down these barriers of difference is a great one that can be further separated into 3 key, related areas - the formation of trust, the finding of common ground, and the furthering of interpersonal skills. Because these 3 benefits allow individuals to learn about each other, “barriers are slowly chipped away thus allowing for more open relationships and dialogue” (Payne n.d).

The first benefit of cross cultural awareness is the formation of trust. By sharing stories about culture and understanding different experiences, “mutual understanding ensues, which results in greater trust.” (Payne n.d). For example, when I share stories of Diwali with my non-Indian friends and they share stories of their holidays, I feel more inclined to share more and trust them. This vulnerability allows relationships to grow and become stronger. Cross-cultural awareness involves the formation of a trusting relationship because it is based on mutual respect and sharing. This is just the first step in breaking down barriers as barriers cannot be broken unless trust is formed.

The second step in breaking down barriers is the finding of common ground. Usually, people focus on difference and overlook similarities. Cross-cultural awareness is helpful in “developing a sense of mutual understanding between people by highlighting common ground” (Payne n.d). For example, when I share stories of Diwali with my Christian friends, they often respond with stories about Christmas. We unite under a shared appreciation for the holiday spirit and time. Barriers are broken by finding things in common and realizing that there is no need for barriers to exist.

The third step toward breaking down barriers is the furthering of interpersonal skills. Once trust has been established and common ground has been found, people must develop the skills to communicate properly and respectfully. People who are culturally aware “deal with people with a sensitivity and understanding that may have previously been lacking.”(Payne n.d). Moreover, this allows people to really bond, get comfortable with each other, and break down barriers. Another interpersonal skill that is formed is the skill of phrasing things properly and understanding cultural differences across wording. For example, in certain cultures, the word “No” “is considered disrespectful and confrontational, whereas, in North America, it’s viewed as assertive and direct” (Landry 2019). This understanding of people and where they come from is quintessential in breaking down barriers.

In conclusion, cross-cultural awareness is a valuable skill that yields many benefits. It allows people to break down barriers by forming trust, finding common ground, and developing interpersonal skills. However, one ethical dilemma to be wary of going forward is appropriating culture.

Works Cited

“Curricula Enhancement Module Series.” NCCC. nccc.georgetown.edu/curricula/awareness/index.html.

Landry, Lauren. “The Importance of Cultivating Cultural Awareness at Work.” Northeastern University Graduate Programs, Northeastern, 18 July 2019, www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/cultural-awareness-at-work/.

Payne, Neil. “The 10 Benefits of Cross Cultural Training.” Odr News, www.odrnews.com/7869.php.