Applying a culture awareness scholarship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Applying a culture awareness scholarship - Essay Example Therefore, different cultural groupings would have different values and norms. Because of this difference, there is need for cultural sensitivity. With cultural sensitivity, despite knowing the existing cultural differences and similarities, no values would be assigned to such differences. This understanding and sensitivity critically inform the tenets of cultural awareness. Thus, cultural awareness would mean the development of understanding of and sensitivity to another ethnic group. It involves appreciating one’s culture and accommodating with respect other people’s cultures. This would require continuous development of knowledge of other people’s cultures, especially by interacting with such people. Cultural awareness is an important attribute to cultivate because it fosters peaceful and harmonious coexistence in this multi-cultural environment. What is considered as appropriate in one culture could be interpreted as inappropriate in another. Thus, misunderstandings could arise if a person uses own meanings to make sense of the other person’s reality. Important to note is the argument by Picardo that cultural awareness is difficult as naturally, culture is not conscious to humans. From birth, humans have learnt to do things unconsciously. Our values, experiences and ethnicity cause actions in a specific way. It is important to get out of our cultural boundaries so as to realize the impact our cultures have on other people. Seeing both the negative and positive aspects of our cultural differences would be an important approach in fostering peace and harmony in our societies. This cultural awareness would particularly be important when an organization seeks to expand its s olutions and identity so as to take a different approach to its problem solving procedures. It not only promotes flexibility but also creates new valuable behaviors and skills. In business, cultural awareness