What is CULTURE?

Culture is the framework for human interaction

A Community is the SURROUNDING in which people come together, but Culture is the system in which one learns what it means to be human.

Every one of us lives within a cultural system. We learn to connect. We learn the do’s and don’ts. But in most cases, we don’t even realize that the regulations are in place. Culture is part of our upbringing, and oftentimes, it is not until one leaves that so familiar culture that the cultural differences become visible. Sometimes even painfully visible.

If you plan to interact with another culture, you must reflect on your own. You must recognize the differences in the other culture. And you must embrace cultural competence.

CONSIDER these topics as you learn more about culture

  • Short Answer: The process of learning to be comfortable in a new culture while maintaining one’s own cultural identity.

    Longer Answer: (yet to come)

  • Short Answer: The ability to adapt, communicate, and work effectively across diverse cultural contexts.

    Longer Answer: (Yet to come)

  • (Check back for more)

  • We talk about multiculturalism when we talk about a group of people that consists of multiple different cultures. That can be a team, a friend group, or an organization. The key here is that the members are from different cultures, working and living together as best they can.

    We talk about interculturalism when we consider relationships. In an intercultural setting, the main focus is to make the relationship work, with an emphasis on interconnectedness. While multicultural teams can simply exist, intercultural relationships are intentionally built.

    We refer to Cross-Cultural when one person, a group of people, or a topic connects with another culture. Whereas multicultural teams are often just a given, and intercultural relationships are built intentionally, this phenomenon simply reflects a reaction across cultures.

  • (Check back for more information later)

How important is cultural COMPETENCY?

While it is important to celebrate individual potential and identity, some cultures place that secondary to the overall well-being and image of the group. Neither is ‘more right’, but failing to respect the nuances can create tension or even major conflict. A culturally competent person knows and respects the difference.

Individualism vs. Collectivism

When hundreds of years of cultural influence meet the lifestyle of the Western world, things happen. New products are introduced. New thought processes are discovered. Education is challenged by different values. And all too often, new and old get tangled up in a ball of confusion. Respecting history is part of cultural competence.

History & Culture

Cultures can look very similar. From the outside, one could think that many Europeans and US Americans look alike - at least in our family background. But any stereotype that one has of the other will show you the contrary. Culturally competent people know to respect the nuances and celebrate the differences.

Seemingly the same

We Connect General Info about culture with SCIENTIFIC research and personal experience to help you become interculturally competent.

Explore Options

  • As you browse the pages of Milestone Momentum, you will find information on intercultural living, leadership, ministry, language learning, and much more.

    We encourage you to explore as much as you can and if you have further questions about a specific topic, reach out for more content.

  • You do not have to face the challenge of moving into a new cultural setting alone. As a family, we have moved from Germany, to Yap (Micronesia), to Ecuador, and then to the USA. Eah move came with its challenges and joys.

    Reach out to find out how we can be your companion for some time until you feel comfortable to do life in the new culture alone.

  • There is much to be said and learned about intercultural engagement, whether it be leadership, living abroad, or learning a language. While we do not have any workshops scheduled at the moment, we can certainly get things organized. All it takes is a little nudge from you.

    Reach out to inquire about leading intercultural, living intercultural, learning a languae, or any other related topic.