International travel, work, and the internet have accelerated communication with people who are culturally different from ourselves. More and more, we meet people, both face-to-face and online, who have different communication styles, beliefs, and values from our own. In addition, many of the issues we face today – climate change, poverty, the education gap, food insecurity, discrimination – are occurring at a global level. It is now more important than ever to collaborate across cultures towards an understanding of how these issues affect us and how we can work together to find effective solutions.
Learning foreign languages allows us to connect to and communicate with people from other cultures around the world, but there is so much more to culture than language. To develop a deep understanding of other cultures, it is also important to be aware of the customs, beliefs, values, and traditions of others as well as our own and how they influence our behaviour. To truly communicate interculturally and understand others, it is important to ask questions such as "How does the culture that surrounds us influence who we are?" And "How do we communicate and interact with others?"
We often think of cultural diversity in terms of differences between people from different countries and cultures, but there is also diversity within national borders. Understanding the values of others who live in our society, as well as how to communicate with people of different ages, genders, religions, political parties, ethnicities, and so on is equally important. How can we learn to appreciate and to make the most of diversity?
“Not all those who wander are lost” - J.R.R. Tolkien
Life is made of exciting meetings and experiences that change who we are. Kansai University will provide you with fantastic opportunities to explore the world around you.