Growing up, I did not have a lot of opportunities to develop an understanding of different cultures.  In school, I learned a basic understanding of different cultures, but none of the lessons went beyond surface level facts.  By joining the Honors Program at Minnesota State University Mankato, I have been given the opportunities to develop a better understanding of different cultural perspectives, while expanding my own knowledge about intercultural engagement.

In Fall of 2019, I had the opportunity to develop different perspectives of cultures different from my own by participating in a program on campus called MavBuddies.  International students are sometimes required to take additional English classes, and are then partnered with a student from the United States to help learn more about life on campus and in Minnesota.  I was partnered with three students, all from different countries and each had a different level of understanding of English.  This experience helped me to develop how I perceived different cultures.  Before volunteering for MavBuddies, I did not realize how people could be considered fluent in one language, but still have a different understanding of it from another fluent person.  It made me more aware of what I was saying, and how I was explaining new ideas.  This experience also made me stop and realize how I viewed my own culture.  I hadn’t realized the significance of events, such as Homecoming, before having to explain them to someone of a different culture.

 

I was able to use some of these skills that I developed in MavBuddies after becoming a technician at the Centennial Student Union (CSU).  Part of my job as a technician is to set up the lighting, sound, and projections for various events.  Another important part of the job is to work with the client in order to best serve their event.  I have learned how to communicate with people who don’t always have the vocab to describe what they envision for their event.  The CSU holds multiple events that are put on by people of different cultures.  Most of the people who lead these events are not native English speakers, so I have had to learn to adapt my communication skills.  

These experiences have helped me to shape my own framework for intercultural engagement.  I have gained a new respect and deeper understanding of cultures who are different than my own.  I have learned how to communicate better with those who don’t speak the same language or use the same vocabulary as me.  I have also learned more about what is important to different cultures, and how they show each other how they appreciate them.

These skills will be extremely helpful as I prepare for my career after college.  Theatre is about telling people’s stories, and these experiences will help me tell those stories more efficiently.  I will be able to have a more open mind when listening to others share their experiences.  These skills will be important as I continue my career in theatre.