Culture, Globalization and Intercultural Adaptation (Essay Sample)

Culture, Globalization, and Intercultural Adaptation Name of the Student Institutional Affiliation Course Code and Course Name Professor Date of Submission Culture, Globalization, and Intercultural Adaptation Cultural sensitivity is critical due to globalization, as people from different cultures interact closely. Cultural intelligence, which encompasses understanding and appreciating the differences between people's cultures and ways of doing things, becomes crucial with the increased flow of ideas, products, and persons across national borders. Living and working in Canada, a country celebrated for its multicultural fabric, presents unique opportunities and challenges in navigating cultural landscapes. Cultural analysis and understanding of how people from different cultures communicate and how they have learned to cope with this makes one a valuable intercultural buff and infuses diversity into organizational structures. This paper discusses how culture plays out in my experiences in Canada, how I understand and engage with the world from a cultural standpoint, the effects of globalization on cultural diversity, and where I stand at the theoretical level in Bennett's Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity and why that matters in the era of globalization. Characteristics of Culture Culturally, Canadians embrace the policy of multiculturalism or the process through which Canadians boast of being a country that puts up with different types of people. This is evident from the national policies that strive to provide equal representation and embrace all cultures (Kymlicka, 2021). Available literature depicts Canadians as friendly and tolerant people who always respect others and their opinions. Some cultural events include Canada Day, which is devoted to the anniversary of the confederation, and multicultural carnivals connected with different ethnical themes and motifs – Caribana and the Calgary Stampede. Canadians also have a diverse menu with foods like poutine and butter tarts, among others, to show the integration of other countries' foods. These attributes incorporate the Canadian culture and norms of diversity, which enrich the comprehension of Canadian multiculturalism in interaction. The first and most significant cultural value that I found appealing and which is in line with the values of Canadian society is respect for cultural differences. Because my parents come from two different cultural backgrounds, I have developed better intercultural relations and an ability to communicate with people of varying color. Understanding other cultures enriches the world and eradicates prejudices because it makes one learn how the world functions (Rockson, 2019). This background taught me to appreciate diversity and collaboration within diverse community environments. From my interactions with people from various cultures, I have found interest in multiculturalism, exchanging knowledge, learning the world's ways, and how we all fit together. Canada and everything else is another reminder of the importance of tolerance. My cultural perception affects how I perceive people and relate with them from other cultures. I engage in communications with passion to understand what has been said, making me positive. However, I also acknowledge my bias, like I stereotypically think some cultural practices are correct. These biases can cause misconceptions or overtakes of purpose in transmitting information (Das, 2020). For instance, directness, which I learned to respect and embody, would be entirely incompatible with indirect cultures. Awareness of these biases is essential to enhance cross-cultural communication because such recognition makes me a more perceptive and receptive participant in any cultural interaction. Intercultural Communication in a Globalized World Cultural dimensions such as individualism versus collectivism and high-context versus low-context communication greatly influence intercultural interactions in Canada. The first challenge is the cultural difference between Canadians and other cultures with collectivist values, where virtue and communication are central in a group (Shiraev & Levy, 2020). Different cultures, particularly Indigenous and Asian ones, can sometimes use indirect communication that relies on the meaning behind the words and body language. The intensity of these dynamics is made even more demanding by globalization, which brings different cultures into play, making cultural competence critical. Thus, by understanding these kinds of differences, people can establish understanding and mutual respect, which should elude brilliant communication in multicultural Canada and meet the challenges involved with the interactions of the people of our globalized world. Cultural diversity in my everyday life in Canada includes various encounters and activities. For instance, in my workplace, I often interact with people of South Asian, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern origins. They enhance the experience as we introduce diverse views and solutions stemming from the cultural experience delivered to us. Also, I frequently attend local cultural repositories, such as the Toronto International Film Festival, which offers films from various countries and cultures. Participation in multicultural events such as Caribana and Chinatown's Lunar New Year affords rich experiences of diverse cultures through customs, foods, and arts. These travels educate me about various cultures, foster unity, and reduce societal prejudices. Globalization in Canada is present through the availability and ease of access to foreign media, including newspapers and magazines, television and movie streaming, and social media, where people can have different voices and access different cultures. This media accessibility allows Canadians to interact with other cultures, hence broadening their view on the international relations and diverse cultures prevalent in the world today (Taylor & DeCillia, 2021). Globalization is evident in the workplace through import/export activities as businesses engage in business transactions with counterparts from different countries. These differences result in cross-cultural working, where respecting and embracing different working and communication patterns becomes mandatory. In addition, globalization fosters the sharing of knowledge and new ideas and their implementation to benefit all parties (Guo et al., 2020). Thus, the cultural relations in my community are diverse and valuable since they give people from different backgrounds a more appreciable opportunity to show their value and assimilate into society. Intercultural Adaptation Using "Bennett's Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS)," I would qualify for the ethno-relative adaptation stage, acceptance. This position stems from my appreciation and understanding of cultures in diverse communication methods and cultural values (Wilson & Epps, 2023). I take time to consider the broader culture from which individuals come, which has improved my interactions with people in various facets of my life. For instance, while working on a joint project with colleagues from different countries, I tried to understand how people of different cultures would respond to feedback and cooperate. This helped me address any emerging misunderstandings and enhanced understanding, respect, and strong teams with efficient cooperation be...