Respect For Cultural Differences Research Articles

The silk roads and shared heritage in Europe: Beyond ‘China to Rome’

This article offers critical engagement with ideas of shared heritage, considering representation of the silk roads in Europe as a counterpoint to their representation in China. Often cast as a ‘bridge’ between ‘East and West’ or ‘China and Rome’ (e.g. UNESCO’s description of the Silk Road Heritage Corridors), the silk roads are regularly depicted as an abstraction of interconnection. And as an abstraction, the idea of shared heritage is often emptied of its potential to communicate greater understanding of the past, respect for cultural difference and co-dependency, or to invite reflection on forms of community constituted through shared histories. Exploring the Sinicization of the silk roads, we argue that much of the rhetoric of shared heritage is deceptively exclusive. We turn to consider the depiction of these histories of trade within Europe, offering a discursive analysis of metatexts around the United Nations World Tourism Organization/European Commission Western Silk Road tourism project, with some discussion of the representation of ancient trade at different European museums. We argue that an enduring legacy of the silk roads’ romanticized image and the transcription of this into commercial tourism inhibit their potential as a useful metanarrative for the future because it fails to communicate the complexity of the past, particularly histories of violence and inequality. However, considering recent depiction of the amber roads, we argue that histories of trade can nevertheless be mobilized towards a more nuanced understanding of the past and a critical reflection on the past and present.

Study on the Construction and Communication of China's Vocational Education Brand in Africa from the Perspective of Foreign Aid

As the world's second-largest economy and the largest developing country, China is playing an increasingly important role in aiding vocational education in Africa. This study, from the perspective of foreign aid, explores the current state, challenges, and strategies of China's branding and communication in vocational education in Africa.Through various means such as intergovernmental cooperation, corporate participation, and non-governmental organizations, China has achieved significant results in aiding vocational education in Africa. However, there are still multiple challenges in branding and communication, including improving education quality, innovating communication strategies, cultural adaptability, fund and resource allocation, cooperation and coordination, and brand image maintenance. To address these challenges, China needs to strengthen teacher training, introduce advanced teaching methods, use new media platforms to accurately target audiences, respect cultural differences, scientifically allocate funds and resources, establish cross-departmental cooperation mechanisms, and enhance brand promotion.By implementing these strategies, China can further enhance the effectiveness and impact of its vocational education aid to Africa, contributing more to the economic development and social progress of African countries. At the same time, this will also help improve China's international image and soft power, and promote the further deepening and development of China-Africa.

Exploring Intercultural Communicative Competence and Willingness to Communicate of Korean elementary students in Online Intercultural Exchanges

The present study investigates the effects of online intercultural exchanges (OIEs) on intercultural communicative competence (ICC) and willingness to communicate (WTC) among Korean elementary school students. Previous studies have focused on OIEs with native English speakers, without considering partners who can manage constraints such as time differences. Therefore, this study specifically examines OIEs with Japanese and Indian peers for their applicability and expandability. It aims to deepen understanding by integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses of the impact of OIEs on students’ ICC and WTC. For this study, 61 Korean EFL elementary school students completed an Intercultural Communicative Scale (ICS) survey and a WTC questionnaire before OIEs. The OIEs were then implemented over ten sessions using the regular English curriculum. After these sessions, surveys and interviews on participants’ ICC and WTC were conducted. The quantitative results indicated that OIEs had a positive effect on the students’ ICC and WTC. Qualitative analysis of participants’ ICC revealed pedagogical implications across four related topics: interaction engagement and enjoyment, respect for cultural differences, interaction confidence, and interaction attentiveness. Furthermore, post-test interviews about participants’ WTC revealed their active willingness to communicate, voluntary efforts for communication, and willingness to communicate with non-native partners. Therefore, these findings suggest that participation in OIEs, even with non-native partners, can enhance ICC and WTC among Korean elementary school students.

도시문화를 기반으로 한 상하이 부산 관광상품 비교 연구

Tourist souvenirs carry rich regional history, culture and cultural heritage, and play an important role in shaping regional cultural brands, inheriting urban culture, and promoting urban innovation and consumption vitality. Shanghai and Busan, as international cities, take tourist souvenirs as an important way to spread urban culture. The purpose of this study is to explore the development path and characteristics of tourist souvenirs under different urban cultural backgrounds, learn from each other to jointly promote the spread of urban culture, and adopt the methods of literature collection and comparative analysis. This paper first investigated the basic cultural characteristics of the two cities, carefully compared the historical integration and modern innovation, through research perfume, straw, folk dance, film festival cases, comparison analyzes the commercialization of Shanghai tourism souvenir, marketization characteristics, busan Marine culture, multicultural characteristics, respect different souvenir design and cultural communication strategy differences, both successfully shaped their city image, improve the city cultural soft power. In the future, the two places can learn from each other to further enrich the cultural connotation of souvenirs and promote the international dissemination of urban culture.

The Relationship Between Intercultural Sensitivity and Speaking Skills: Voices in Higher Education

This study aimed to assess the levels of intercultural sensitivity among students and to explore the potential correlation between intercultural sensitivity and the speaking proficiency of English department students in Indonesian institutions. To achieve these goals, a descriptive study design utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. Data collection involved a questionnaire and interviews, with 64 students participating as respondents. The questionnaire included 24 items from the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS), which were answered on a four-point Likert scale. The questionnaire was distributed via Google Forms. To assess speaking ability, the researcher conducted interviews focused on language and cultural descriptions, which were evaluated using a custom rubric. The findings revealed that students exhibited high levels of intercultural sensitivity in terms of intercultural attentiveness, confidence, and engagement. Additionally, they showed moderate sensitivity in interaction enjoyment and respect for cultural differences. Statistical analysis indicated a correlation between intercultural sensitivity scores and students' perceived speaking proficiency. Future research could explore different aspects of intercultural sensitivity to observe students' practical behavior in cross-cultural interactions.

Social Religious Relations of the NU and Muhammadiyah Islamic Communities in the Multicultural Era

This research aims to find out how Nu and Muhammadiyah community organizations form and maintain social relations in the current multicultural era. The method used in this research is a descriptive research method. The data collection technique in this research uses library research. The data collection technique for this research is by searching for data, reading data, marking data, and narrating data related to information contained in books, journals, proceedings, print media and online media. The results of this research state that Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah have a very important role in maintaining and strengthening social relations in the multicultural era in Indonesia. Nu and Muhammadiyah provide education and character development to various educational institutions, emphasizing tolerance and moderation through Islam Nusantara. Nu and Muhammadiyah through their education and lectures often include instilling inclusive national values, respecting diversity as the nation's wealth. Through these various approaches, Nu and Muhammadiyah have succeeded in maintaining and strengthening social relations in the multicultural era in Indonesia. They play an important role in building a more inclusive, tolerant and harmonious society, and respect cultural, religious and ethnic differences as wealth that must be protected and respected.

Paths of Encounters: Weaving Roots from Intercultural Education

The article is derived from a PhD thesis in Diversity Training at the University of Manizales and focuses on the impact of intercultural discourse on education, especially in Riosucio of the Department of Caldas, Colombia (2022-2023), where cultural diversity is evident, focusing on the indigenous and peasant population Emberá Chamí and their reservations. The central question investigates how intercultural discourse influences teaching practices in educational institutions with pedagogical models oriented to cultural diversity. It uses the review of literature and relevant data to highlight effective practices in intercultural education, which goes beyond tolerance, promoting mutual understanding and respect for cultural differences. The study highlights challenges in the implementation of intercultural education, resistance in traditional education systems, and the need for adequate teacher training.

Intercultural Sensitivity as a Factor in Perceived Culturally Responsive Teaching of Teachers in Northern Thailand

This study examined the relationship of teachers’ intercultural sensitivity to their in-class culturally responsive teaching. A total of 168 teachers with teaching experience in multicultural classrooms in northern Thailand answered a questionnaire with two psychological scales: the intercultural sensitivity scale and the culturally responsive teaching practice scale. To supplement quantitative findings, 19 teachers from the total number of participants were included in the semi-instructed interview. By conducting factor analysis, intercultural sensitivity perceived by teachers with multicultural facilitation experience in northern Thailand was extracted into three components: interaction engagement, interaction confidence, and respect for cultural differences. The results from structural equation modelling indicate that teachers’ intercultural sensitivity significantly affects teachers’ perceived culturally responsive teaching practices with the largest coefficient size. This study also discussed the associations between teachers’ culturally responsive teaching practices and other significant background factors based on the local context, including school size, non-local student enrolment frequency, overseas travel experience, and the existence of intercultural colleagues.

Culturally Competent Care for Diverse Populations: A Review of Transcultural Nursing Education.

Transcultural nursing is a discipline that emphasizes culturally competent care for diverse populations, recognizing the influence of culture on health beliefs, values, practices, and outcomes. It requires nurses to respect cultural differences and similarities, but faces challenges in curriculum design, faculty development, and student assessment. This paper explores transcultural nursing education's current state and future directions, addressing the American Association of Colleges of Nursing essentials for integrating cultural content into nursing curricula, reviewing Madeleine Leininger's transcultural nursing theory, diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts, and discussing the main challenges of transcultural nursing education, including lack of student diversity, training, and resources. Strategies to overcome these challenges include interprofessional collaboration, cultural immersion, and evidence-based practice. The paper concludes with how emergency department nurses should incorporate this into practice.

Implementasi Literasi Budaya dan Kewargaan dalam Mengembangkan Berkebhinekaan Global Di SDN Bahagia 06 Kabupaten Bekasi

The purpose of this journal is to investigate the implementation of cultural literacy and citizenship in developing global diversity in elementary schools (SD). In the current era of globalization, it is important for children to develop a deep understanding of cultural diversity and global citizenship. Implementation of cultural literacy and citizenship in elementary schools can help students understand cultural differences, respect diversity, and become responsible global citizens. This journal uses a qualitative research approach using the case study method. Data was collected through class observations, interviews with teachers, and analysis of documents related to the school curriculum. The participants in this study were teachers and students from several elementary schools who applied a global diversity approach. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of cultural literacy and citizenship in elementary schools can increase students' understanding of cultural diversity and global citizenship. Teachers play a crucial role in guiding students to develop an attitude of openness, tolerance and respect for cultural differences. They use various teaching strategies, such as collaborative activities, use of multimedia resources, and group discussions, to raise students' awareness of global diversity. In addition, the school curriculum plays an important role in integrating cultural literacy and citizenship. Learning is carried out through various subjects, such as Indonesian Language, Science, and Cultural Arts.

Validating the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale in the Hungarian University Context

Understanding the level of intercultural sensitivity among employees is crucial for managers to identify potential issues and develop strategies, particularly in intercultural contexts. Thus, the main aim of this study is to validate Chen and Starosta’s (2000) Intercultural Sensitivity Scale in the Hungarian context. To that end, the authors distributed the 24item questionnaire to 361 Hungarian university students at a private business school, examining the scale’s five factors, namely Interaction Engagement, Respect for Cultural Differences, Interaction Confidence, Interaction Enjoyment, and Interaction Attentiveness. A confirmatory factor analysis was then carried out using SPSS AMOS 26.0.0, which indicated that the fivefactor model did not fully align with the data from the Hungarian cohort. The findings of this study demonstrated a lack of independence among the five factors, highlighting the complexity of measuring intercultural sensitivity in varying cultural contexts. To improve the validity and reliability of the instrument and better assess intercultural sensitivity among Hungarian populations, major changes to the items of the questionnaire are suggested.

YÜKSEK ÖĞRETİMDE TURİZM ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN KÜLTÜRLERARASI DUYARLILIK DERECELERİNİN İNCELENMESİ

The aim of this study was to determine the intercultural sensitivity level of associate degree students studying Cooking and Tourism and Hotel Management in a state university in Turkey. The study also investigated the students’ intercultural sensitivity level according to some variables such as gender, age, major and grade. For this purpose, the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (Chen & Starosta, 2000) which was adapted into Turkish by Öğüt and Olkun (2018) was conducted as a quantitative data collecting instrument in order to measure the students’ intercultural sensitivity level. The scale had also a separate part including students’ demographic information. The data were collected through a face- to-face survey in spring term in 2022. They were firstly coded and then analyzed through SPSS 20. Additionally, t-test and one-way ANOVA tests were conducted. The results of the study indicated that students’ respect for cultural differences and interaction enjoyment level was found to be very high while interaction attentiveness, interaction engagement and interaction confidence levels were high. Moreover, it appeared that such variables as gender, age, major and grade did not influence students’ intercultural sensitivity perceptions.

Nilai-nilai Patriotisme dalam Novel Bila Malam Bertambah Malam Karya Putu Wijaya dan Implikasi dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia di SMA

At this time it can be observed that there are more striking differences in the spirit of the youth of the past and today. There has been a decline or deviation in morals which has caused today's youth to lose their spirit and spirit of independence so that there has been a decline in the values of patriotism that have occurred in all corners of the country. The purpose of this research is as follows. First, to describe the values of patriotism contained in Putu Wijaya's novel BMBM. Second, to describe the implications of the values of patriotism contained in Putu Wijaya's novel BMBM in teaching class XII high school novel texts. The research method used is content analysis. In this study the researcher himself acted as the main instrument. The research data analysis technique is adapted to the flow of qualitative data analysis. Putu Wijaya's novel When the Night Increases the Night found 15 values of patriotism. Each of the values of patriotism, namely 4 love of the motherland, 8 willing to sacrifice, 3 brave. Based on the results of the research, it was concluded that in Putu Wijaya's novel Bila Malam Lagi Malam, there are values of patriotism, namely an attitude of love for the motherland by having a spirit of responsibility, love for the symbol of the country, love for the teaching profession, a sense of indebtedness, support government programs and love for their students. The values of patriotism in Putu Wijaya's novel When the Night Increases in Night can be implicated in every lesson, outside of learning, in the school environment, in the community, and in the people around him. These values of patriotism can make everyone respect cultural, racial, ethnic and religious differences.

Social Integration of Multicultural Communities in Lampung Province

Indonesia has many different ethnicities. In such a society, cultural integration is needed in order to create conditions for a society that respects cultural differences. The concept of integration is closely related to the view of multiculturalism, which is the process of acculturation that occurs in the form of efforts by each ethnic group to learn about other cultures without losing their own culture. In integration, people must respect and appreciate other ethnic cultures. The society in Lampung Province is diverse in religion, ethnicity, culture, and their way of life. As an area where people of various beliefs co-exist, it is very conflict-prone. The data collection techniques used in this study were observation and interviews, while the documentation and data obtained were processed using qualitative data analysis techniques. This study discusses the main issues of socio-religiousness, which are broken down into two sub-problems; first, what is the description of community life and second, what are the views of religious leaders and the forms of social integration. Bandar Lampung is a very important place because the leaders of religious institutions are people who are full of responsibility, both for themselves and for others. The view of religious leaders within the context of social integration lies in the fact that there is good integration between religious communities, through efforts such as making visits and strengthening friendships between followers of different religions.
 Keywords: Integration, Religion, and Symbolic Interaction.

Was transitioning to the virtual environment worth it: effects of different virtual team projects during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThis study offers insight on the impact of virtual team projects (VTPs) of varying types (global vs domestic teams, technology vs non-tech projects) on competency and anxiety outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachPaired-sample t-tests and ANOVA tests were performed on student survey responses pre- and post-engagement of different VTPs.FindingsThe results demonstrated positive effects of VTPs on intercultural sensitivity (ISS), computer self-efficacy, perceived ease of use of online learning and COVID-19 anxiety. ISS (“interaction confidence”) improved more for students in the global vs. domestic teams and technology-related outcomes (CSE, PEU and computer anxiety) and ISS (“respect for cultural differences”) improved more for students that participated in tech projects, whereas COVID-19 anxiety lessened more for those that participated in non-tech projects.Originality/valueThe study expands understanding of the Technology Acceptance Model and provides insight into the ISS literature showing that VTPs could be a worthwhile pedagogical approach for improving student competencies and anxiety during times of academic disruption, but that project type can influence these changes.

Turkish Language Teachers’ Intercultural Sensitivity

This study involved qualitative research in the form of a case study to examine the intercultural sensitivity of Turkish language teachers. In the study, criterion sampling was selected and an interview form consisting of seven open-ended questions was applied to 20 Turkish language teachers. Participants working in secondary schools, which are basic education institutions affiliated to the Ministry of National Education, and in units related to assignment in different provinces of Turkey. The research questions were prepared by considering the five following dimensions of the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale developed by Chen and Starosta (2000): interaction engagement, respect for cultural differences, interaction self- confidence, interaction enjoyment, and interaction attentiveness. Content analysis, a qualitative data analysis method, was used. As a result of the study, it was seen that most of the participants exhibited a generally appropriate attitude in terms of having intercultural sensitivity. Some of these participants who exhibited an appropriate attitude had deficiencies in terms of some dimensions of intercultural sensitivity. On the other hand, a significant portion of the participants did not exhibit an appropriate attitude in terms of having intercultural sensitivity in general. At the rest of the paper, some suggestions are made in order to improve teachers’ intercultural sensitivity and to overcome their deficiencies.

Postcolonial Identity Crisis in Selected Contemporary Novels

The study argues that postcolonial novels can offer valuable insights into the nature of identity and the challenges of living in a postcolonial world. Homi Bhabha's theoretical framework is used in this study to analyze the complexities of cultural identity and the challenges that actors face as they navigate between their background and new cultural identities. The concept of hybridity, mimicry, and cultural difference developed by Bhabha are utilized to examine and comprehend these themes. It explains how novels such as Exit West by Mohsin Hamid and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie emphasize the contradictions between cultural hybridity and the need to adhere to mainstream cultural standards. The study also looks at the role of literature in developing our perception of cultural identity and encouraging empathy and understanding across cultures. The study employs an analytic approach for evaluating the postcolonial identity crisis in chosen contemporary novels, which entails an in-depth reading and analysis of the text. This may imply identifying essential themes and motifs relating to identity, cultural hybridity, and colonialism, as well as investigating how characters manage their sense of self in the face of cultural diversity. The study's findings emphasize the necessity of comprehending and appreciating the complexities of cultural identity in the context of globalization. It promotes constant postcolonial debate and reflection on identity as we confront the problems of cultural hybridity and try to build a more inclusive and just society that acknowledges and respects cultural differences. As a result, this study adds to our knowledge of postcolonial identity and its continuing importance within modern literature

A comparative study of intercultural sensitivity among postgraduates majoring in International Chinese Education in China context

Based on a survey sample of 435 China postgraduates majoring in International Chinese Education with different undergraduate English learning experience, the research attempted to find out how five elements proposed by Chen & Starosta (2000), interacted or influenced with each other. Those five elements incorporated in Intercultural Communication Competence Scale (ICCS), developed by Chen & Starosta (2000), are interaction engagement, respect for cultural differences, interaction confidence, interaction enjoyment and interaction attentiveness. The survey results from the multiple regression charts demonstrated that the elements composed of intercultural sensitivity actually interacted or influenced interactants’ actual intercultural communication process.

Realize Tolerant Students Through Strengthening the Profile of Pancasila Students with Global Diversity in Elementary Schools

Cultural awareness enables individuals to behave following social norms in various cultures. This research describes the practice of character cultivation by strengthening the Pancasila Berkebinekaan global student profile project at SDN Pagentan 3, focusing on recognizing and appreciating cultural diversity. A qualitative descriptive method was employed, utilizing data collection techniques such as interviews, observations, and documentation. The findings indicate that cultivating character through the Pancasila Berkebinekaan global student profile project at SDN Pagentan 3 is centered around introducing and understanding values through traditional Indonesian dances, Indonesian cuisine, and traditional attire. This character cultivation involves three stages: 1) the moral knowing stage, achieved through the integration of the curriculum and global diversity values from relevant sources such as images and videos; 2) the moral feeling stage, where students are directly engaged in experiences such as sharing Indonesian cuisine, participating in traditional dances, and wearing traditional attire to foster pride in Indonesian culture and respect for cultural differences. 3) the moral action stage is fostered through activities encouraging students to express their opinions, collaborate, and acknowledge one another's achievements. This research is a reference for educators in designing character education programs to help students internalize global diversity values at the Elementary School level.

METHODOLOGY OF TEACHING STUDENTS TO OVERCOME BARRIERS IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

The article concerns effective communication as an essential component of business success. The aim of research is to identify the specific communication barriers that students encounter in business contexts, such as cultural differences, language proficiency, and technological challenges; to develop effective teaching methodologies and techniques that can help students overcome these communication barriers, such as intercultural training, language instruction, and the use of technology. It was highlighted that effective communication is vital for business success, and communication barriers such as cultural differences, language, and technology can hinder effective communication. When communication barriers exist, it can have a significant negative impact on a business's performance. Therefore, it is crucial for educators to teach students how to overcome barriers in business communication. The author claims that communication barriers are obstacles that prevent people from effectively conveying and receiving information. Consequently, there are many types of communication barriers, including language barriers, cultural differences, physical barriers, emotional barriers, and perceptual barriers. It has been suggested the methodology for teaching students how to overcome barriers in business communication containing exact steps. The methodology outlined in this article, which includes identifying communication barriers, developing intercultural communication skills, enhancing language proficiency, teaching effective use of technology, and providing feedback, can help students develop the necessary skills to overcome communication barriers in a business setting. It has been stated that developing intercultural communication skills takes time and effort. It requires an open mind, willingness to learn, and respect for cultural differences. The author concludes that the field of teaching students to overcome barriers in business communication is dynamic and evolving, and there is significant potential for further research to enhance our understanding of effective teaching practices in this area.