Intercultural Reflection (Essay Sample)

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Intercultural Reflection
Various factors, such as immigration, interpersonal interactions, travel, and communication, influence everybody’ self-identity. These aspects have become increasingly pronounced in the digital world as the exchange of information has become very swift, allowing the exchange of ideas and concepts about identity and culture very swift. My perspective of life has been influenced by various cultural aspects, including traditions, stereotypes, and beliefs, which continue to impact my life. These collectively define my views of the world, how I view relationships, and personal identity (Matto 35). The paper will evaluate how my self-identity is a collection of these factors, as they have played a critical role in my life, influencing my interactions, aspirations, and cross-cultural experiences.
Traditions, stereotypes, and beliefs are some aspects that impact my perspective on life. First, my cultural background is very conservative, having a conservative dress code, a patriarchal structure, and a conservative education system. Due to this aspect, most decisions in my life have been made by men, who yield the most power. For instance, when attending school, my father had to decide which school I would attend. The tradition has influenced my life negatively when attempting to get into relationships with girls from other cultures, as they find me controlling. I have become conscious of this aspect and have taken steps to become more multicultural and open-minded. According to Dr. Poli, understanding how one develops empathy has helped me become better at understanding the needs of other people and better communicate with them (Poli 24).
Furthermore, stereotypes have affected my life, and reduced my emotional intelligence. One of the perpetuated stereotypes revolved around Muslims and their association with terrorism. It is a very dangerous and unfortunate belief that has harmed how the world perceives religion. Learning about the meaning of the term Islam, I was surprised to learn that it means peace, which contradicts people's views about religion. I learned about the effects of stereotypes, as they can be negative and positive, which add to how people are perceived. Largely, stereotypes are exaggerated and do not reflect the cultural perspective of the group being talked about. I am also aware that stereotypes are associated with my culture, and I have learned to stop taking them personally as they have damaged my self-esteem. I have since appreciated the importance of being cautious about accepting some misconceptions without interrogating them. Developing emotional intelligence is an essential part of my personal growth and perspectives towards life (Goleman 44). Such skills entails development of emotional competence as an ability responsible for developing self-awareness, self-management, self-motivation, empathy, and social skills.
Moreover, my self-identity evolved following my interactions with other people, especially when interacting with people from other cultures. My parents had the most impact on the development of my identity, whose influence continues to manifest itself. Some of the long-lasting aspects my parents instilled in me include high self-esteem. I had the freedom to make my own decisions early, which helped me develop independence and confidence. I was largely responsible for my success or failure, which was instrumental in my growth. Research has indicated that when individuals are responsible for making their decisions when emphasized, they are more likely to become more confident.
Self-enhancement has been vital in my personality, which refers to maintaining or increasing a person’s self-esteem. My identity narrative comprises various interactions with influential people from my teachers, celebrities, and life coaches. Much of my learning in recent times has been influenced by the internet and books, as I am learning much from people who were great thinkers. Mentors play an integral role in nurturing how people make better decisions, and this has been very instrumental in shaping my view of life and a general understanding of the world. By continuously learning and engaging with great thinkers, I have expanded my view of the world, which has enhanced my self-identity as I have embraced new ideas by interacting with influential leaders.
Living a very rich cross-cultural experience has enhanced my relationships with other students and people from different walks of life. Open-mindedness has played a key role in enhancing my cross-cultural experience as I continuously learn and interact healthily with people (Josselson, 22). The cross-cultural experience is very important as it enables a person to become engaged and lively and learn from others. It is an enriching experience as it allows a person to travel to new places, try new experiences such as new foods, and try new experiences such as taking study abroad experiences. In my experience, a cross-cultural e