Travelers are increasingly aware of the importance of respecting cultures they visit during international travel. In fact, cultural exploration – which involves examining the way individuals in various parts of the globe live, interact, problem-solve, and give meaning to their lives – is a valuable part of growing globally aware. Moreover, cultural exploration provides an opportunity for individuals to broaden their understanding of human diversity and challenge their assumptions about the “norms” that exist within the communities in which they live. Beyond its benefits of providing a new appreciation for the diverse ways people live around the world, cultural exploration can positively impact study, employment and relationships due to increased empathy and adaptability.
This article will provide a discussion of the benefits of cultural exploration (such as expanded perspective and improved decision-making), present some habits that may be useful in making cultural exploration effective, and provide examples of how to continue learning and applying the knowledge you gained during your time abroad once you have returned to your home country.
Broadening Perspective Through Challenging Default Assumptions
A first key area of development for those who engage in cultural exploration is broadening their perspective through the realization of their default assumptions.
Many people view the way they do things as “the norm.” What they fail to realize is that many “norms” are nothing more than local options.
The types of issues that most often lead to perspective-shifting include:
- Time and punctuality
- Family roles and respect structures
- Communication styles and conflict resolution techniques
- Work expectations and social norms
Recognizing these differences contributes to mental flexibility and reduces hasty judgments.
Building Empathy Through Meaningful Interactions
Another important aspect of engaging in cultural exploration is building empathy through real interactions.
Perspectives grow faster through conversations and shared experiences than through reading or watching others’ experiences. Interactions transform stereotypes into specific human stories.
Some ideas to promote meaningful interactions include:
- Joining local guided neighborhood tours led by local leaders
- Participating in courses that allow participation by locals
- Visiting public community spaces such as libraries, markets and parks
- Using basic language phrases to demonstrate respect
While listening is more important than speaking, using good questions can increase the effectiveness of your learning experience.
Strengthening Decision-Making Through Context Awareness
A third area of focus for cultural exploration is developing decision-making abilities through gaining awareness of the context of each situation.
Having a broader global perspective enables people to accurately assess the context of a situation. This results in fewer misunderstandings at school, in the workplace, and while traveling.
In addition, cultural exploration strengthens the following skills:
- Reading context: recognizing what is implied, in addition to what is stated
- Adaptability: modifying behavior to fit changing situations without losing one’s personal values
- Fairness: distinguishing between “difference” and “wrong”
Both of these skills result in stronger collaborations in multicultural environments.
Extending Cultural Learning Beyond the Trip
Finally, cultural exploration offers long-term value when the learning from your trip continues after the trip. Reflective learning and repetitive learning enable the transformation of experiences into skills.
Here are some practical ideas to continue the learning experience:
- Keep a brief travel journal with lessons learned and questions raised
- Follow local writers, chefs, or historians from the locations you visited
- Share your learning with others in a respectful manner and avoid stereotyping and exaggeration
- Apply lessons learned from travel to your everyday life, including communication and patience
When travelers view culture as something to be understood, rather than something to be consumed, they will return from their travels with sharper judgment and greater respect for differences. This type of mindset is essential for creating a better global citizen and for making thoughtful decisions in today’s interconnected world.