Incorporating Cross-cultural Communication into High Education

Abstract

The co-existence of cultures, either for reasons of survival or cooperation, is at the forefront of globalization. Meanwhile, globalization will cease to exist, or function efficaciously, in the absence of international training or cross-cultural experiential learning, respect, and trust. But for nations and citizens to maximize their relationships with other world human inhabitants or forge new ones, they must accept and recognize that globalization does not sojourn in a homogenous culture, and that no one nation or a set of nations has a monopoly on universal goodwill or mechanics of international relations. Of the essence, therefore, is the lofty imperative to learn about, and appreciate, other cultures. As a result, citizens of the world can engage in transmitting messages with people of cultures other their own, thereby eradicating misperceptions and stereotypes that have sometimes ushered devastating conflicts. The ensuing welcome phenomenon is cross-cultural communication designed to serve as a vehicle to communicate from one culture to another. And to sustain efficacy and good relations at the global level, cross-cultural communication must be incorporated into higher education so that present and future generations would not be devoid of this important ingredient. This is a bold and lofty endeavor that must be embraced by faculty, students, government, private sector, non-profit organizations, and individuals who yearn to live in, and to leave behind, a world imbued with managers who see themselves as worthy custodians of society, irrespective of geographic location, nationality, race, color, or religion. These managers should, above all, harness necessary tools to incorporate cross-cultural communication in furtherance of interdisciplinary education meant to serve the pluralistic global community.