Kelci, Ibukun, Soleil, Sophia and Yifei
The global pandemic has provided us with an innumerable amount of opportunities we were unaware of until we began to utilize an online learning platform, enabling us to converse with students from around the world. We were provided with a rare experience and wonderful opportunity to interact with previously inaccessible peers, and divulged through an assortment of cultural lenses, viewing our diverse society in different perspectives.
A revelation we experienced when discussing cultural perspectives enabled us to acknowledge distinct cultures have distinct methods of thinking. Therefore, when interacting with individuals from other countries, we are able to implement learned concepts of culture to strengthen our strategies when placed in divergent cultural situations. However, we have also learned that it takes a significant amount of practice in order to achieve an understanding and gain the respect of other cultures. Attempting to understand each other on a personal level, whether beliefs, cultures, or values, we not only gained mutual respect within our intercultural learning circles, but we attained friendship. As our conversations progressed, there were many filled with endless silence, yet it was known that we were personally reflecting on the thought-provoking lessons in our course. There may have been ups and downs when participating in cultural conversations, yet we always managed to leave with a new development of personal growth. We connected theories throughout the curriculum with individual experiences by reflecting on the learning modules we participated in.
Regarding the development of culturally safe styles that foster inclusivity in multicultural collaboration, our group seamlessly achieved the process. We were able to bond on a personal level as a group by creating a safe environment for our peers. As well as being able to comfortably talk about our thoughts and perspectives about what we learned, without the fear of criticism. When discussing issues that threatened the concepts of a true multicultural society, we expressed our thoughts and perspectives as others kindly listened attentively and with a tremendous amount of support. We were open to feedback, emphasizing our open mindedness when approached with alternate points of view.
Over the course of this semester, our group developed a level of unconscious competence when discussing different cultural perspectives. Through different ways of thinking, learning techniques, customs, and practices, our mentation became enriched with alternatives based on cultural beliefs to approach certain situations and settings. Regarding culture as a feeling, we acknowledged the effect it has on our logic, emotions, and instincts. Culture has been transformative in ways that were previously unimaginable to us until our intellectual conversations. Another perception that was ascertained in our conversations regarded the strengthening of family values, our ways of approaching conversations, and the traditions we hold have all been influenced by our cultural upbringing.
Overall, we are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to interact amongst each other and openly share our attitudes toward a variety of cultural dialogues. We collectively learned how to place ourselves in alternative and new situations where we were exposed to new acculturations. Our personal growth has been astonishing when considering our subjective opinions at the beginning of the term.
Kelci Bookbinder, HR 261, Human Rights and Human Diversity, Brantford Campus
Ibukun Gbengabanjo, HR 261, Criminology, Brantford Campus
Soleil Carroll, HR 261, Human Rights and Human Diversity, Brantford Campus
Sophia Dhalla, HR 261, Human Rights and Human Diversity, Brantford Campus
Yifei Zhou, International Student Collaborator, Master of Finance, Waterloo