Intercultural Communication - Coursework Example

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION REFLECTIVE JOURNAL By 19th, June, Introduction Interaction with different people is an important aspect of human life. All our lives, we have interacted with people. These might be family members, colleagues at work or school, or total strangers. Nonetheless, each person interacts with others at different levels. Therefore, knowingly, or unknowingly, people do experience intercultural communication. In the duration of this course, I have gained vast knowledge about intercultural communication. I now understand intercultural communication as a form of global communication, involving people of different cultural, religion, social, education, and ethnic backgrounds. However, multiculturalism presents a huge challenge to intercultural communication (Bloomfield 2007). Therefore, it is important to learn about intercultural communication in order to overcome the obstacles that multiculturalism presents. In this reflective journal, I focus on the aspects of intercultural communication, networking, and career management. In addition, I will also reflect on two major guest presentations, one by a professional from the Butterfly movement, and another by Mr. Adam Whitefield of the World Youth International. Finally, I will reflect on the effectiveness of this journal as a learning experience. 1. Intercultural Communication The aspect of intercultural communication has been core in this course. I have gathered wide and important knowledge on this aspect, and I expect this to be the foundation of my future interactions, both at the professional and social levels. This knowledge, I have acquired through classwork, and other out-of-class activities. The most important thing to is that I have learnt and mastered the meaning of intercultural communication. I now understand that this kind of communication is complex and challenging, as it involves people from different backgrounds. I have read in Kalscheuer (2009), that the coming in contact of different people due to the advanced technologies and communication, presents a challenge to intercultural communication. Therefore, although this presents diverse opportunities to people, it is also a common root of conflicts today. However, this course has been eye opening to me, thus my competence level in intercultural communication has improved. Different class activities, including group work, have been a major way through which I have learnt about intercultural communication, and experienced it. Through group work, I have had the opportunity to interact with different colleagues, some of whom I do not share similar social or ethnic background. Together we have discussed, communicated, and learnt about cultural differences from each other. This also gave me a chance to challenge my assumptions, attitudes, and perceptions I had previously held about certain ethnic groups. Therefore, today, I have learnt the importance of cultural diversity, and I have let go of all the cultural stereotypes I held about certain ethnicities. I have learnt that when one lacks knowledge about intercultural communication, they might fail to see beyond the physical appearance of an individual, because of the irrelevant assumptions and stereotypes, which act as obstructions. Through this, therefore, I have acquired considerable cultural intelligence, which will be of great benefit to my future career, especially when working in an international environment, where I have to deal with clients and colleagues from diverse ethnic backgrounds. 2. Networking With regard to networking, through this course, I have theoretically come to terms with the popular phrase, "Its not what you know, its who you know." In other words, networking is an important aspect of every professional, as technical skills alone are insufficient for one to realize success in their career. This involves making connections and building relationships with different people, mainly for career support and advice. Apart from being of great value to individuals, networking is also a great marketing tool for companies. Overall, I believe that relationships are a catalyst for success, if they are managed well. Therefore, this has taught me to adopt networking at this stage, in order to succeed in my future professional world. I need to network so that I can succeed in my search for my first job, a new job, or to climb the career ladder. Therefore, I have learnt the importance of continually connecting with new people, building new relationships, and growing my network. One important activity I have undertaken out of class to boost my networking is attending a career expo recently. Here I met and interacted with different professionals, with whom, I have maintained contact. Therefore, I have been able to apply the knowledge I have gained in this course on networking. Various literature I have read in class on networking have shown that most people get jobs through their contacts, including family, relatives, and friends, among other personal contacts. According to Suzanne (2006), most managers use networking to hire their employees, as it is through this method that they can find employees, who can be trusted, and are talented. Although this is a traditional method of finding a job, it has proved to be more effective, just as the direct application method. This points out the importance of networking today. Nonetheless, I will apply the knowledge I have acquired in this course about networking, in future, as a job seeker, in order to turn out successful in my job search. 3. Career Management Career management is a key aspect to any individual, who wishes to build a stable career. Through this course, I have become more knowledgeable about career management. I consider this highly essential to me, even as I plunge into the professional field in the near future. I therefore, believe that I have most of the knowledge I need to manage my career, immediately I find a job. I have knowledge on various career-planning models, including Gould’s career planning model, which if applied well, will result in career satisfaction of an individual. According to a research conducted, findings showed that Gould’s career planning model is effective, and leads to positive results (Aryee & Debrah 1993). This course has helped me veer into important insights about career management. Therefore, I will avoid the common mistakes most people make in their careers, and which end up influencing their whole career life in different ways. For instance, I have learnt that career management is a continuous process. Personally, I believe that this is an important aspect in the 21st Century, as the professional environment is fast-paced, therefore, only the competent individuals will survive, since career management results in competent professionals. Apart from career management at the individual level, Orpen (1994) also notes that there is also career management at the organizational level. Therefore, I have learnt that in as much as an individual strives to manage their career, they should consider organizations, which offer them an opportunity to improve and grow. Career management is for individuals, who know what they want in their professions. They therefore, will use this process to realize the desires and goals they have envisioned in their career. Therefore, basing on the vast knowledge this course has instilled in me, I believe that one might manage well their career by positively developing and building it. For instance, one might enroll for topical courses in areas where they think they need more knowledge and skills. Additionally, attending conferences, and reading professional material are also aspects of career management. Furthermore, I feel that there is a connection between networking and career management, even though these are different. Networking entails relationship building. On the other hand, career management entails relationship management. Here, one ensures that the different relationships in their networks are stable and positive. I consider career management to be a skill, in which people have varying capabilities. Nonetheless, this course has built my career management skills, and I will use these to grow my career in future. 4. Guest Presentation by Ms. Dalice Kennedy Ms Dalice Kennedy is the founder of the Butterfly Movement Ltd Charity, and is also the present Chief Executive Officer. In her presentation, she talked about her career, her journey through her career, and the specific networking she has done to achieve different success milestones in her career. Form the story of her career path; I learnt that despite the career aspirations and goals one might have, it is important for them to involve other people, who will influence the realization of these career aspirations. Dalice has used networking as a pillar in her career, which has enabled her to move up the career ladder. Through networking, she was able to able to move from working as a receptionist to being employed by the World Youth International, and finally to being able to set up her own charity organization. From her presentation, it was clear that self-initiative is necessary whenever one wants to achieve their career aspirations. Therefore, by reaching out to people through networking, one will have taken the first step toward achieving their career aspirations. Additionally, volunteering is an important aspect, which one has to show in their career. Ms. Dalice volunteered on many occasions, and worked without any expectation for rewards. Nonetheless, although one is not immediately rewarded for volunteering, they might experience their reward in future, through other different forms. Dalice noted that another important factor in networking is technology. With the advanced technology today, one must utilize it to build networks and maintain positive relationships. It is also vital to sustain relationships and not to burn bridges. Burning bridges might lock out different opportunities from one’s career life. Furthermore, Ms. Dalice emphasized that networking involves marketing oneself. Therefore, it is crucial for one to maintain a positive image, as this will determine how fast their network grows (Kennedy 2013). 5. Guest Presentation by Mr. Adam Whitefield The presentation by Mr. Adam Whitefield mainly involved the aspects of intercultural communication, networking, and career management. These three are most important, which he upheld, and practiced effectively to reach the professional level he is at today. Today, Mr. Whitefield is the General Manager of World Youth International (WYI), which is an international non-profit organization. He exhibits great career management skills, which have helped him to move up the career ladder. An important aspect I have learnt about both Mr. Whitefield and Ms. Kennedy is that both embrace the element of volunteering. This therefore, seems to be a great element, which anyone should embrace. Building networks and maintaining positive relationships is key to the success in the career of Mr. Whitefield. In addition, his educational profile has played a key role in his profession. Through this, I can prove that career management, which includes advancing one’s education, contributes to the attainment of career goals and aspirations. This and other factors enabled Mr. Whitefield to secure a promotion at World Youth International from the position of a director to the position of the General Manager (Whitefield 2013). From the presentation and personal profile of Mr. Whitefield, it is clear to me that he has mastered intercultural communication. He has travelled in diverse parts of the world, and worked and worked in various regions of the world. Furthermore, the organization he works with is an international organization; therefore, this suits him, as he has vast experience and interaction with people of different cultures. Nonetheless, this was quite insightful, and it showed me that the aspects of intercultural communication, networking, and career management cannot stand alone, but have to go hand in hand. Mr. Whitefield is an example of how these three factors can lead to success in a career. 6. Effectiveness Of The Journal As A Learning Experience Writing this reflection journal has a significant learning experience, which will have an impact on my profession in future. This has offered me an opportunity for me to reflect on the significant aspects, which this course has exposed me to. Through this reflection journal, I have conducted own self-study, and I believe that this has contributed to my self-development. Additionally, through the analysis of different aspects in this reflection journal, I have gained in-depth knowledge on career management, intercultural communication, and networking. My sense of self-awareness has also increased, as I have exposed my values and beliefs on the involved aspects, to evaluation. This is essential, as it has enabled to acquire a new level of openness to new ideas. This reflection journal has also opened my eyes to the most important things, which I have to apply in my career. As a future job seeker, I can relate to the important aspects I have learnt in this course, which I have also addressed in this reflection journal. This has also helped me realize the need to improve on the aspects of intercultural communication, career management, and networking, as these are beneficial to my career in future. Therefore, this encourages me to develop an action plan that will help me improve in these aspects. First, to ensure effective intercultural communication, I will eliminate all the stereotypes or prejudices I have held about any ethnic group. In addition, I will enhance my theoretical knowledge of career management and networking, and sharpen my career management skills, which will be of great use in the future, as I will apply them in my career. Most importantly is that this reflective journal has been effective in making me identify my personal flaws, as far as the aspects of intercultural communication, networking, and career management are concerned. I have therefore, learnt not to repeat past mistakes I have made with regard to these aspects. I have laid a strong foundation for my future professional practice through the learning experience I have obtained from this reflective journal. Works Cited Aryee, S. & Debrah, Y 1993, “A Cross-cultural application of a career planning model,” Journal of Organizational Behavior, 14: 119-127. Bloomfield, J 2007, “Intercultural Dialogue: Creating the New,” Expanding Cultures: Arts and Local Government Conference, July 24-27. Kalscheuer, B. 2009, Encounters in the Third Space: Links Between Intercultural Communication Theories and Postcolonial Approaches,” in: Karin, I. & Gerhard, W 2009, “Communicating in the third space,” Ch. 2, pp. 26-43, Routledge, New York. Orpen, C 1994, “The Effects of Organizational and Individual Career Management on Career Success,” International Journal of Manpower, 15 (1):27-37. Suzanne, C 2006, “Interpersonal skills in organizations,” Ch. 16, pp. 283-306, McGraw-Hill, Boston, Mass. Kennedy, D 2013, “Networking,” The Butterfly Movement. Whitefield, A 2013, “Guest Presentation,” June 3, World Youth International (WYI). Name:______________________________________________________________ Student ID: _________________________________________________________ Date Completed: _____________________________________________________ Component of course that this activity relates to (circle one): Intercultural Communication Title of activity: Cross-cultural Debate Description of activity: This activity involved two major groups of students. Each group was expected to present views about a major intercultural theme or issue. The topic of discussion for both groups was about an intercultural theme, which involved communication styles in business communication. My group focused on the challenges that most western managers of international companies face while working in different continents, such as Africa and Asia. We also identified the different ways through which these managers might enhance business communication and negotiation with the people of different cultures in the foreign countries. Reflection: This activity contributed to my understanding of intercultural communication in the following ways: 1. This helped me and my group mates to consider different cultures and developed our understanding of different cultures. 2. This enabled me to communicate and debate with other colleagues, thus exposing me to a variety of perspectives about intercultural communication. Authorised signature:_________________________________________________ Your signature: ______________________________________________________ Name:______________________________________________________________ Student ID: _________________________________________________________ Date Completed: _____________________________________________________ Component of course that this activity relates to (circle one): Networking Title of activity: Career Expo Description of activity: In a group, we were to identify any upcoming professional event and attend it. Each member was expected to interact with at least five professionals in that event, and come share their professional details with the group. One was to then supposed to set up a LinkedIn profile if they did not have, and connect with these professionals, whom they would also keep in touch with. Reflection: This activity contributed to my understanding of networking in the following ways: 1. This helped me to gain a personal contact with different professionals. 2. So far, I have benefited from advice from some of the professionals I met. 3. I have learnt more about building networks through professional sites such as LinkedIn. Authorised signature:_________________________________________________ Your signature: ______________________________________________________ Name:______________________________________________________________ Student ID: _________________________________________________________ Date Completed: _____________________________________________________ Component of course that this activity relates to (circle one): Intercultural communication Title of activity: Ice-breaker Description of activity: This activity is more like a game, but again it is quite insightful. In this activity, one was expected to identify a student of a different ethnic/cultural background, whom one has never met before. One was then supposed to interact with the new “friend” and learn a lot of things about their culture. In their next meeting, one was expected to introduce the new friend to the group, and explain to the group as much as possible about the cultural background of the new friend. Reflection: This activity contributed to my understanding of intercultural communication in the following ways: 1. This promoted my cross-cultural awareness and intercultural communication, since I was able to interact with a person of a different cultural background. 2. This helped me to break a barrier, and helped me overcome of the stereotype I had held about the ethnic group of the individual I interacted with. Authorised signature:_________________________________________________ Your signature: ______________________________________________________ Read More