The first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions volunteering is AIESEC, and of course volunteering goes hand in hand with cross cultural experiences which is inevitable when you volunteer. Having facilitated 1000s of young leaders to embark their journey through volunteering, we specialize in cross cultural experiences, it is crucial that we practice cultural sensitivity on our travels.
What exactly is cultural sensitivity?
Put simply, this means withholding judgement when you come across a difference. We human beings have personal biases rooted from our beliefs and preferences, these biases can stem from a singular unit in the community to as far as a whole population sharing them, and this is culture.
From birth itself mankind is hard wired to resist change, which makes it hard to accept and adapt to new environments. The idea of change threatens us, finding yourself in new and unfamiliar places trying to adapt and cope can push you out of your comfort zone to a state of constant dynamism around you. However, as prejudiced as you can be towards a particular culture it’s important that you show respect regardless.
While the stereotypes hold out on change the progressive wise will remark cross cultural experiences as an insight into different livelihoods and an exploitation of life through a unique eye. By convention people have a habit of assigning values to everything, filtering out the best, driven by the endless social taboos. Weighing up pros and cons quantifying things superior and inferior as opposed to others. Therefore, Cultural sensitivity can be defined as such, accepting difference without quantifying and comparison.
Why is cultural sensitivity important in building cross cultural relationships?
Each culture tells us the way of its people, how they breathed, loved, and survived for generations. The best concept that can explain culture is an iceberg, at a glimpse we just witness a tiny fragment of the huge chunk of ice with most of its mass submerged in the water, likewise in a culture hidden among the obvious is a foundation, built from the blood sweat and tears of their ancestors. And trying to explore beyond this tip is being culturally sensitive, which is important in establishing cross cultural relationships.
Volunteering in an unfamiliar land will require you to blend in and spend your time with the locals, so it’s important that good relations are established to get the full essence. Giving value to a person’s upbringing is the highest respect that he or she can be bestowed upon. Not only will practicing this type of sensitivity ease your volunteering journey but also take you a long way in leading the quality way of life.
While in the subject of “respect”, in the western countries calling out to someone using their birth name is considered respectful, while in some countries the use of generalized titles to address different sectors of society is the accepted norm. The famous handshake which is the form of greeting in the western world is replaced by a simple courtesy bow in most of the Asian countries.
Finding yourself amidst the newness trying to establish new connections can be nerve wrecking, especially if you don’t the speak the native language. The high chance is that that you won’t speak it, as intense as it sounds, there are ways to make this adjustment comfortable by preparing for it.
Building the bridge between cultural gaps
Once you have reached your destination the cultural gap will be clear as day, starting from the animate to the inanimate, such as the architecture of the infrastructure there will be a clear depiction of the new culture. This rapid change of environments will result in a state of shock in an individual which is called falling into cultural shock. It’s your job to prepare for a smooth transition to a state of normalcy to get the best out of the situation. Preparation for these cultural nuances requires that you do the necessary research and acknowledge their way.
A proper knowledge of their history, destitutions, traditions, their laughter, and sorrow will aid you in refraining from actions that will degrade their culture. Furthermore, this knowledge will supplement the creation of authentic relationships to bridge this gap. For example, knowing their cultural norms like the simple dos and don’ts, their dress code and eating habits, etc. the list is endless. Knowing your roots is just as important as the culture you are visiting. Which will help you acknowledge where you stand and how does your culture view others. The way you celebrate and receive yours, will give you a clear idea as to how you will welcome and embrace a whole new culture.
It’s important that you walk in with a clear and refreshed mindset, starting from the minute you get off the airplane. Flush out all the preconceived stereotypes and maintain an open mind which will guarantee meaning full connections and priceless memories. It’s universal that if there is a plus there will always be a negative. Therefore, in the face of injustice, which is also inevitable everywhere around the world, it’s important that you understand that a single person does not define what a culture as a whole represents.
How does being exposed to different cultures help you grow?
This experience will help you as a young leader to build up a good face of confidence and to expand your perspectives. Having been exposed to the real world you will have to use your wit to deal with real life situations. You will be challenged and required to step out of your comfort zones, ultimately leading to personal growth. The ability to distinguish right from wrong, the courage to stand up for yourself and the people around you in the face of injustice, mastering the art of tolerance are added bonuses that come with this experience.
At the end of the day these differences will bring out the best in you, however, might the experienced turned out to be positive or negative. You will go forth with a feeling of contentment, having been able to witness the diversity around the world that opened new doors for you.
Sign Up Now to volunteer: https://www.aiesec.lk/global-volunteer
By Anumi Seneviratne
Content Writer – DXP
AIESEC in NSBM
