LEADERSHIP FOCUS
International Travel: Adapting to Other Cultures BY DR. LOUISE FERGUSON (30) AND DR. AMANDA CRUMP CORE FACULTY MEMBERS, UC DAVIS
AMONG THE REASONS FOR TRAVEL IS EXPOSURE TO OTHER CULTURES. HOWEVER, EXPERIENCING ANOTHER CULTURE IS NOT ALWAYS COMFORTABLE. WHEN EXPOSED TO OTHER CULTURES, ALL OF US FALL ALONG A CONTINUUM OF PERSONAL ORIENTATIONS. DENIAL
One may notice obvious cultural differences, such as food, but not deeper aspects, such as how conflict is resolved. As a tourist perhaps this is unimportant, but it could be disastrous for a business person.
In Ag Leadership, we travel to learn. If we better understood our personal and group orientation, perhaps we would learn more from – and better appreciate – other cultures.
POLARIZATION
In the following commentary, Dr. Amanda Crump describes how we might better develop understanding of other cultures.
A judgmental “us” and “them” orientation. It can take the form of being uncritical of another culture and critical of one’s own, but generally it is the reverse. We most often evaluate, negatively, cultures from the perspective of our “superior” one.
MINIMIZATION
Focusing on commonalities, particularly in universal values and principals. However, this approach is often patronizing in that we view our culture as superior and are validating another’s by equating it to ours and failing to recognize differences.
ACCEPTANCE
Recognizing and appreciating the differences and commonalities in other cultures compared to one’s own. However, this does not mean interaction with another culture is comfortable.
ADAPTATION
An orientation that allows us to shift our cultural perspective and interact in a culturally appropriate and authentic way. Those who have achieved cultural adaptation generally speak the language and have lived within another culture.
6 HORIZONS MAGAZINE FALL 2021
My love of traveling and international service was kindled by my second-grade teacher. She had been a Peace Corps volunteer and showed us photos of her work in Central America. I grew up in a ghost town and didn’t really get an opportunity to travel until after I finished college. The first time I climbed aboard an airplane was when I was 20. Somehow, two years later, I managed to get the courage to move to Europe, where I lived in Germany and worked in the Balkans. I’ve now worked in almost 20 countries throughout Asia, Africa and Central America. Encountering new cultures and ways of being has been the most exciting and intimidating part of my career. Adjusting to another culture is hard. When we visit a new place and encounter new experiences, we rely on our own experiences to guide our adjustment. In my experience, it is important to forget about my own experiences and expectations, though. Let me share a few stories of how I learned this the hard way.
FIRST LESSON: Learn the Norms
One of my first business trips was to Singapore. I wanted to take a gift for my hosts and found a UC Davis-branded clock that I thought would be a perfect gift. However, while on the plane to Singapore, I decided to read the section of my guidebook on Singapore culture.
