Cultural Awareness

Cultural awareness is…

• understanding and acknowledging cultural difference
• being aware of and understanding your own culture to help you achieve the same of other cultures

'Culture' can be broadly defined as system of beliefs and values shared by a particular group of people. Whether you have grown up in Topeka or Tobago, Beijing or British Columbia - your particular circumstances and experiences will have shaped how you see the world and how you behave. And just because you might be from an English speaking country, don't just assume you are informed about other English-speaking cultures.

To find our more about cultural awareness, read the article on the Culturosity website.

Do I need cultural awareness to get a job?

In a word - yes.

• Socialising with your colleagues - whether a morning coffee break, lunch with a team-member, an evening ‘down the pub' or dinner with your new boss - will play an important part in your work life.
• Individual organisations that you might work for - global corporations, SMEs, charities, hospitals, universities, etc. - will have their own ways of doing things that you must learn when you become part of the organisation.
• Organisations of all kinds are increasingly globalised - how effectively will you work with colleagues from various religious, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds?

Here are some things to consider when getting your first job in the UK:

• How do I address the people I am working with?
• What is the management structure? Whom do you need to speak with first? Does whom you speak with first depend on what activity you are doing? Is it always acceptable to speak with the top person about everything?
• How are meetings conducted?
• How is advice/criticism given and received?
• When is it appropriate for you to speak in your own language - and not?
• How do you communicate with colleagues: email, phone, a visit? Does the method of communication depend on the situation?
• Is there a coffee room/canteen? Is there a set time when employees are expected to have coffee or lunch? Are you expected to do this with your colleagues?
• Do religious beliefs have any influence on how and when work is carried out, who works with whom, etc. How do your religious beliefs fit into the workplace culture—or not?
• When is it appropriate to tell a joke?

Even you if you are just starting or still at university, you can still think about questions like these. It will help you get the most out of your experiences as a student and you will feel better prepared when you start your working life.

How can I become more culturally aware?

There are some simple things you can do yourself:

• Watch people - in the shops, on the street, in a café, at your part-time job, in halls of residence. How do people act and interact with each other? How do they walk or stand? What sort of gestures do they use? How do they dress? What are the ways people address and speak to you in different places and situations? Think about the ways these things are different at home and why this might be so.
• Ask questions - you might be shy or feel a little silly, but it is best way to find out why things are done the way they are.
• Be aware of your own cultural background. This helps to avoid projecting values and beliefs onto the behaviours of others. We may not always understand or even like what other people do and how they behave - but it doesn't necessarily make things wrong, just different. Conversely, it is easy to offend others by being unaware of the cultural rules in a different country and by assuming everything is the same as it is at home.

Remember, it is not entirely about ‘fitting in' and getting to know about Scotland:

• People will also want to find out more about you and your culture. Bring pictures of family, friends and places or perhaps small objects that remind you of home - these will help you feel less homesick and provide something to talk about when you meet new people.
• Take the time to stay in touch with your own culture and home country through the media, internet, contact with friends and family or a local social group made up of people from your home country. Useful Links contains URLs of a selection of international student and cultural organisations which can help you do this.

Both of these things will help you combat homesickness and adjust better to your new home. They might even help you to develop valuable social and work contacts helpful for finding a job, whether you choose to stay in Scotland or return home.