Cultural Competence

Travelling and moving abroad to study for a degree is increasingly popular. Fast forward to 2019, and the number of students crossing borders for an international study experience continues to increase. As the world continues to become increasingly globalized, it’s inevitable that, no matter where in the world you study, you will meet and get to know new groups of people from various cultures and backgrounds. This cultural diversity is one of the most significant aspects of studying abroad, or at a university which attracts students from around the world.

You’ll learn to understand and appreciate different cultures

Wherever you study in the world, walking through your university’s campus can be like opening the door to a whole new world. As you meet new people from your degree, student accommodation or student club, your social circle widens, and your social development enhances as you build new friendships and professional network connections.

This is doubly powerful if the people you are meeting come from drastically different backgrounds to your own. Far-flung countries, distant cultures and foreign religions can become much more easily understood and appreciated, allowing you to draw on a much wider range of experiences.

This ability to connect and empathize with people from vastly different backgrounds to your own is so important, particularly when others try to marginalize or dehumanize people who don’t look, or sound like them. This can then help you prepare for a career within a global setting.

You’ll develop traits that reflect a ‘global citizen’

Degree programs are inherently global now. It doesn’t matter what you’re studying – whether it’s history, English literature or psychology – you’ll be expected to take a global outlook. The idea of ‘internationalization’ is woven into almost every curriculum, and although it’s important to appreciate how internationalization is relevant to your studies, it’s also important to understand how it’s relative to you as an individual away from academics.

“Being part of such a diverse community makes me more considerate of the effect that my words might have on other people,” says Russian student Toma, who is studying BA International Affairs at John Cabot University.

“With some of my classes having seven or more nationalities, I get a broad and varied point of view on each topic because everyone comes from different backgrounds and has something different to say.

“I don’t think students from other schools get that kind of everyday exposure to a multinational environment. This kind of interaction is so important to us as future policy makers.”

Becoming more aware of cultural differences and considering these differences when faced with adverse situations or experiences is ideal preparation for a workplace which is likely to be highly globalized.