Cultural Diversity

1 Cultural Diversity 1. Definition of culture and how my view of culture changed during the semester Culture is an all-inclusive term that defines the complex way of life of a specific group of people. It encompasses language, behavior, values, beliefs, social habits, and knowledge inherited from previous generations (Trend, 2015). Culture can be understood as patterns of human activity that make such activities relevant. Culture is an essential social fabric that improves tolerance and learning and enhances the quality of life of people. My view of culture has stayed the same during the semester. However, interactions with students from different backgrounds have enhanced my understanding of cultural diversity. Culture is critical in building and sustaining relationships. It also promotes cohesiveness in the community.

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2 During the semester, I learned that culture influences people’s opinions, perceptions, values, and beliefs. Therefore, understanding cultural diversity helps prevent personal biases and negative stereotypes about specific groups (Trend, 2015). In addition, cultural knowledge helps identify and respect the ways of life of otheCulturalural diversity enhances understanding across cultures and promotes peace, trust, and respect among people.

2. Description of my culture I would describe my culture as Filipino, with a distinct Asian background and a strong western tradition. My culture values the family's place in society and encourages people to create and sustain strong family-based relationships. However, people are increasingly embracing the concepts of individual uniqueness and equality. My culture emphasizes the importance of preventing incidents that violate group norms. This culture recognizes group harmony as a key ingredient to success and prosperity. For instance, divorce is highly discouraged. People view family as the safety net for everyone. The people are emotional and passionate about life and generate satisfaction in helping those in need.

3. The impact of classroom experiences on interactions with others at individual and group levels My experiences in this class have positively influenced my interactions with others at the individual and group levels. Trend (2015) noted that social interactions form the core of learning, particularly in culturally diverse settings. A person acquires more knowledge through continued interactions with others. Murray (2020) clarified that these interactions act as a platform for gathering feedback, developing opinions, and sharing information. They help build and strengthen relationships at all contact points. This class taught me about cultural diversity, which entails understanding other people’s behavior, beliefs, values, and interests. People may have

3 different opinions of incidents that produce similar outcomes across cultures. Therefore, I prefer to understand their reasoning rather than castigating people with contradictory opinions. I also encourage members of diverse religious, ethnic, and cultural groups to share more information about their beliefs and values to enhance group cohesion. I have also learned about language's role in cultural development and sustainability. Language enables people to communicate and share information, strengthening their interpersonal bonds. Therefore, I prefer the English language during interactions to ensure everyone in the group understands my message. Some racial groups are emotionally sensitive to particular messages. Therefore, I apologize when I touch on issues that contradict their values and beliefs. I also express gratitude for constructive interactions with individuals and groups.

4. How often do you think about your culture daily?

I only think about my culture occasionally. However, the school and class environments comprise different factors that make one conscious of their culture. Most of these factors are often overlooked at an individual level. For instance, the class comprises members of different religious backgrounds who view life and existence from different perspectives. Therefore, when discussing issues relating to life, existence, prosperity, health, wellness, and death, one has to draw views from their culture. I also draw from my culture the respect for group values and support for the family. I consider culturally diverse students as family members who deserve respect and understanding. This perspective is vital in creating and sustaining interpersonal relationships. Further, interactions with others create a ground to learn about different ways of life, music, celebrations, and practices. Therefore, observing culturally diverse practices, such as music festivals and cultural performances, primes one to think about and compare their culture with others.

4 5. My progress in understanding culture since the beginning of the semester and the aspects that need additional growth Since the beginning of the semester, I have gained considerable knowledge of culture.

Initially, I thought culture comprised solely traditional practices that characterized a specific group. However, I have learned that culture constitutes a particular group's holistic way of life. It includes religious values, beliefs, practices, customs, and behaviors. Culture influences the behavior and actions of people (Trend, 2015). For instance, while discussing a controversial topic, people give opinions that align with their cultural values, beliefs, and principles. I have learned that people use significant elements of culture, including language, symbols, values, and norms, to influence interpersonal interactions. For instance, people use language to enhance social interactions and influence how others conceive concepts and objects. Howeveel there are areas of culture that I am yet to understand fully. For instance, the impact of culture on knowledge developmneeds to be not comprehensively investigated. Therefore, I will conduct further literature assessment to identify evidence on how culture influences knowledge development both at the community level and in academic institutions.

5 References Gallois, C., Volcic, Z., & Liu, S. (2018). Introducing intercultural communication. Sage.

Murray, M. (2020). Culture and diversity. Free Spirit Publishing.

Trend, D. (2015). Everyday culture: Finding and making meaning in a changing world.

Routledge.