Ranking of Dimensions that Contribute to Intercultural Interactions Essay Example

from other groups.

Integration, as defined by Lustig & Koester (2003, p. 294), entails individuals adapting to a new culture while still retaining their own cultural aspects even when interacting with people from diverse cultures. Personally, I possess an intimate understanding of my cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations since my ancestors immigrated to America in the fifteenth century. Among the crucial elements of my culture that I have wholeheartedly embraced is the English language. Since childhood, English has served as our primary means of communication within both my family and ethnic community. The prevalence of English as the national language in this country clearly highlights the significant presence of my ethnic group here. Consequently, it is not surprising that other communities originating from regions like Japan and China, where different languages are spoken, have also adopted and incorporated English into their daily lives.

According to Lustig and Koester (2013, p. 288), subordinate groups frequently assimilate the language and speech patterns of the dominant group. Furthermore, my cultural background encompasses my Christian faith, which was brought to our country by European migrants in the fifteenth century. Being raised in a deeply religious family has provided me with a profound comprehension of this religion and its principles.

In my home area, there is a diverse mix of religious affiliations among different ethnic groups. White Americans predominantly identify as Christian, while the Chinese and Japanese communities primarily follow Buddhism. This highlights the coexistence of various cultural traditions within our community. It is crucial for effective intercultural communication that I have a deep understanding of my own culture, as it enables me to comprehend the identity and historical

background of my people who have greatly influenced me. Additionally, regular close interactions with my family members further emphasize the importance of comprehending our cultural heritage. This knowledge allows me to better understand the reasons behind our customs and behaviors.

In my local community, there is a diverse range of religions practiced by different ethnic groups. Christian faith is prevalent among white Americans, whereas Buddhism is followed by Chinese and Japanese communities. The presence of these varied cultural traditions demonstrates how different cultures coexist harmoniously in our society. To effectively communicate across cultures, it is essential for me to deeply understand my own culture's values and history because they have had a significant impact on shaping who I am today. Furthermore, close interactions with family members reinforce the significance of embracing our cultural heritage which helps us grasp the motivations behind our customs and actions better.

Understanding and accepting diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures, and perspectives is crucial for intercultural interactions. By acknowledging the significance of my own culture, I can appreciate and understand the meaning of others' cultures. For instance, my Japanese and Chinese neighbors choose to follow Buddhism which is as important to them as Christianity is to me and my community. Recognizing and valuing different cultures is essential.

Despite the fact that some cultures are incompatible with mine, there are several reasons why I appreciate other people's culture. One reason is that senior leaders in the country advocate for tolerance and appreciation of diversity, which promotes peaceful coexistence among diverse backgrounds (Lustig ; Koester, 2013, p.289). Additionally, just as I cannot give up my own culture, other people feel the same way and recognizing this

common stake in peace and harmonious coexistence encourages cultural interactions (Lustig ; Koester, 2013, p.).

Understanding other people's culture, experiences, and perspectives is crucial because it not only enhances the quality of life but also aids in predicting the probability of certain events happening (Lustig & Koester, 2013, p. 289). For example, having a deep understanding of Chinese culture allows me to engage in more intercultural interactions and reduces the perceived threat when encountering a stranger from this background. Whenever I come across unfamiliar Chinese individuals in town, my knowledge of their culture enables me to comfortably interact with them. Understanding different cultures diminishes perceived threats and facilitates the ability to anticipate the likelihood of specific events.

Understanding other people's culture is the second important dimension because it holds significance for both their people and myself. Effective intercultural communication relies on comprehending cognitive and behavioral strategies, making it the third important dimension. To understand these strategies, I must familiarize myself with the culture of others. It is crucial to comprehend the cultural aspects of others, as some may be intolerable while others can be beneficial. This understanding allows for the development of cognitive and behavioral strategies to enhance intercultural interaction. (Lustig ; Koester, 2013, p.)

According to (289), personal attitudes are crucial in determining the outcome of intercultural interaction. If I have a negative attitude towards Chinese culture, it is probable that my communication with a Chinese individual will be unpleasant due to my unfavorable perception of their culture. Likewise, not having knowledge and understanding of a particular culture makes it difficult for me to use effective cognitive and behavioral strategies for intercultural communication. On one of my

trips abroad, I met people from a different culture that I had no prior knowledge about. As a result, I struggled to develop appropriate behavioral strategies to facilitate effective interaction with these native individuals.

During my time in the country, I had the chance to interact with locals and gain insight into various aspects of their culture. This involved learning local words, trying their preferred dishes, and understanding proper greetings. Through this experience, I realized that spending more time with a specific culture allows for a greater appreciation of it (Lustig ; Koester, 2013, p. 289). It is essential to understand others in order to comprehend the behavioral and cognitive strategies that promote effective intercultural communication. Personal experiences, both successful and unsuccessful, are ranked fourth on a list of factors significantly impacting intercultural communication. However, these personal experiences receive less emphasis due to their limited contribution to intercultural communication.

Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that initial intercultural communication can potentially change after spending time with individuals from a different culture (Lustig ; Koester, 2013, p. 296). For example, my first encounter with the locals in a foreign country was unpleasant, but gradually improved as I continued my stay there. It is also vital to note that effective and ineffective cultural interactions hinge upon one's ability to adapt to the new culture. People react differently, with some struggling to adjust, others developing counterproductive responses, and some successfully integrating with individuals from diverse cultures (Lustig & Koester, 2013, p.).

My tour to an African country initially posed challenges due to cultural differences, but as I engaged with locals, my perception gradually changed. This shows that my personal experiences, whether effective

or ineffective, do not significantly contribute to intercultural interaction, as they are subject to change or require action. I can either embrace the new culture, isolate myself from the locals, or choose to return home. Ultimately, understanding my own culture is crucial in fostering intercultural interaction because it defines my identity and motivates my behavior.

In addition, comprehending other people's cultures is important as it allows me to respect and understand their way of life just as I expect them to respect my cultural background. Lastly, recognizing cognitive and behavioral strategies that facilitate effective communication is also essential. Only by understanding both my own culture and others' can I develop strategies that promote successful intercultural interactions.

Personal experiences that lead to effective or ineffective intercultural communication are not very valuable in intercultural interactions because these experiences are likely to change over time, rendering the original experience irrelevant.

References

• Lustig, M. W., & Koester, J. (2013). Intercultural Competence, 7th ed., New York: Allyn & Bacon Press