Intercultural communication teamwork and leadership/Communicating across difference/Discussion forum

Intercultural Learning Experience

• As you learned earlier, personal experience is necessary to develop effective intercultural communication. Try engaging in at least three intentional personal, social, or community interactions with various people from other cultural groups. For example, you could ask trusted friends and colleagues outside your cultural group to share their experiences of common ways they feel misunderstood, what helps them feel accepted, and what strategies have been successful for them in adapting across cultural differences. Attending community theatre, film and arts can also help you increase your own cultural self-awareness, as well as learning about other cultural perspectives. Such events often include opportunities to socialize or join into post-event discussions. Another way to learn more about ‘other’ cultural experiences is to visit cultural/ethnic sites, such as museums, memorials, festivals and public art installations. Participating in community or workplace diversity and inclusion events can also be a powerful way to develop your intercultural communication skills. Whichever activities you choose, remember the Platinum Rule!

• After you have had a chance to reflect, do a brief post in the course discussion forum on the insights and skills you gained in one of your interaction experiences, and from your film analysis exercises in Chapter 18.

Note: You are encouraged to notify fellow learners that you have completed this discussion post in the Course Feed.