Reflective Essay

Reflective Essay

       This is a reflective essay on the international and intercultural communication skills that I gained throughout the course. The essay will identify two forms of discrimination and offer an explanation. It will also address conflicts that may arise from work intercultural communication, language barriers, popular culture influences, and how to use the skills taken from the class and put them to work in the real world.

Discrimination

       Discrimination develops as a result of stereotyping or prejudice. It can be defined as “overt actions to exclude, avoid, or distance oneself from the groups” (Martin & Nakayama, 2011). Some may not realize that there are two forms of discrimination to be aware of while maintain proper communication within an organization.

Interpersonal

       The form of interpersonal discrimination is known to be subtle or indirect. The text uses the example of an ex-con white male and a criminal free black male applying for a position. In a study the white ex-con is called back more often than the black male. This is an indirect form of discrimination which forms a barrier in affective intercultural communication. As stated before the origination of these discriminatory acts form from stereotyping or acts of prejudice.

       The phenomenon known as the glass ceiling is another example of the indirect or subtle interpersonal discrimination. The glass ceiling is an act of discrimination that prevents women from obtaining top executive positions.  A study about this effect was conducted and published in the Psychology of Women Quarterly. The results rendered that “stereotypes are a likely factor in the biases that can lead to the development of a glass ceiling” (Elacqua, et al., 2009).

       Last I will also offer the example of interpersonal discrimination that was blamed on the governmental actions post hurricane Katrina. It took over four months for FEMA to direct aide to areas of the town that were black areas and delayed the return of running water or power in order to drive these families out of the area. (Henkel, Dovidio, & Gaertner, 2006).  

Institutional

       The discrimination that is known as the blatant form is referred to as institutional. It can be defined as individuals that are denied their equal participation or rights (Martin & Nakayama, 2011, pg.61). We could use children playing ball as an example in their team selection. Two young boys are selecting from a group of children for team mates. Within the group is a young girl that wants to play. The boys leave her out of the selection because they do not want to play with girls. This selection process denied the young girl equal rights.

Popular Culture and Our Identities

       The question that was proposed for our reflection is how the choices that we make about popular culture influence our cultural identities. Popular culture is how things, people, or even places may influence cultural identities or “the view of ourselves in relation to the cultures we belong to” ” (Martin & Nakayama, 2011). When we select a popular culture to engage in, we become influenced either by affirming ourselves through it or even empowering ourselves. The text offers an example of this empowerment by challenging the gender roles of Iranian women attending sporting events in public. I believe that popular culture has the power to influence us achieve greatness and expand the vision of our cultural identities.

Intercultural Conflict in the Work Place

       When I think of a work environment I think of a group of people working together to accomplish a goal. Conflict can enter your organization at any time and is defined as “incompatibility of goals, values, expectations, processes, or outcomes” (Martin & Nakayama, 2011). To identify attitudes with the work force that might or have already become intercultural conflict, look for the characteristics of ambiguity, language barriers, and contradictory conflict styles.

       I would like to offer an example of intercultural conflict that I have experienced in my work environment. A staff member was caring for a young child with stage four cancer and it was notable that the child was beginning to suffer. With the knowledge that no other treatment could be offered to the child the staff member voices her thoughts to a co-staff member that the family really should just allow that child to pass and be at peace. The co-staff member opposes the staff member’s position and feels the parents should never give up hope. This situation created an intercultural conflict with the work place.

Moving Forward

       I think that moving forward in my career; I will embrace social intelligence to explore intercultural communications. Social intelligence is defined as “the ability to understand and manage men and women, boys and girls-to act wisely in human relationships” (Wawra, 2009).  I believe that it will help to build my relations with those of other cultures.

       Social intelligence contains two major components that will aide in my quest for affective intercultural communication. Social awareness is how we see or how we feel about others around us. Primal empathy is more of a non-thought out process but rather an automatic response.

Language Barriers

       Language barriers have proven to be a very difficult challenge in communication and can result in conflict. The lack of ability to communicate with each other in times of stress or urgency only amplify the need to bridge these barriers, but can effective communication be accomplished if the communicators speak different languages? Will misscommunication be overcomed?

      I do feel that this can be accomplished but it does require a great deal of effort on the part of both parties. Our text gives and example of an exchange student whom seems to have conflict with a household member due to a lack of ability to communicate. The tensions have been building between the two and the exchange student takes time to herself to reflect on the situation. The end resulted allowed the family to continue communication attempts. The student accounted “I spent the afternoon and evening walking along the beach and exploring the forest. This allowed relations to continue, but it gave time to work things out. I felt good about the time out. It all turned out well, but it required some time and patience” (Martin & Nakayama, 2011).

       I found a very helpful article on bridge the gaps of language barriers that I will pass on. It refers the challenges that law enforcement face with the urgent need to be able to communicate. This is a vital area for language barrier improvement and this article reveals tips to improve on the stressful situation to reach affective communication. The article is entitled Overcoming Language Barriers: Solutions for Law Enforcement Written by Susan Shah, Insha Rahman, & Anita Khashu.

Link to article: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Publications/vera_translating_justice_final.pdf

Conclusion

       I just can’t begin to express just how enlightened I have become on how important international and intercultural communications are to my growth as a person as well as my growth as a professional. The knowledge that I have gained will guide me actions and words in the future. I plan to continue this journey of intercultural development and to carry my family along with me. When we open our hearts and our minds to the world outside of our cultures we will find a wonderful world of exploration awaits us.

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