A Course Worth It
This semester's "Intercultural Communication" course has been a profoundly enlightening journey, fundamentally shifting my perspective on how we connect across cultures.
Initially, the orientation introduced me to the field's scope, setting the stage for a transformative learning experience. The core concepts of Culture & Communication were foundational. I learned that culture is like an iceberg, with most of its influence hidden beneath the surface in values and beliefs. This understanding reshaped my approach to cultural differences. The modules on Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication were particularly revealing. I realized that communication style (direct or indirect) and non-verbal cues like eye contact or personal space are deeply cultural. This knowledge has made me more observant and adaptable in my daily interactions with international peers, helping me to avoid misunderstandings. Exploring Intercultural Contact gave me a framework for understanding culture shock and stereotypes, validating my own experiences of adjusting to university life. Ultimately, the course culminated in the most valuable lesson: the process of Developing Intercultural Communication Competence. It is not about memorizing facts but cultivating an attitude of openness, empathy, and critical self-reflection.
Towards the end of this course, each group were assigned to perform a mini-play related to intercultural communication and analyze it from the perspective of intercultural communication. My group played a mini-play named The Mark based on the core conflict of the movie The Gua Sha Treatment. The Mark serves as a poignant and profound reminder that in an increasingly globalized world, legal and social systems must learn to navigate cultural differences with significantly more nuance and empathy. The play masterfully challenges its audience to look beyond the visible surface—the physical marks on a child's back—and to perceive what is truly meaningful: the love, tradition, and family unity that define one culture, yet are tragically misconstrued by the rigid frameworks of another. It is not a simplistic story of right versus wrong, but a deeply human one of perception versus understanding. The characters are trapped not by malice, but by their own culturally-conditioned realities. This creates a silent, devastating conflict where a grandfather's love is pathologized as abuse, and a father's protective sacrifice risks his own future. Ultimately, the play powerfully illustrates how, without a bridge of cultural competence, both love and law can become tragically lost in translation, leaving families broken in the gap between two worlds.
After our short play performance, I was very grateful that the teacher pointed out a common issue with the English pronunciation of Southern Chinese speakers—swallowing sounds, which means the last sound of each sentence often isn't fully pronounced. Identifying the problem is the first step toward a solution: when reading English sentences, we can consciously make an effort to pronounce every sound completely. For multisyllabic words, the teacher suggested that we frequently consult the dictionary, practice each word multiple times, and strive to pronounce them correctly. Indeed, when the pace of communication speeds up, minor pronunciation issues can accumulate. Only by making consistent daily efforts and carefully articulating every sound can we communicate more effectively.
I think the teacher could further enrich the PPT by adding more photos or videos, which would make the class more engaging. I particularly enjoyed the session about greeting etiquette across different cultures. Hands-on experiences like that tend to leave a much deeper impression than textual descriptions alone. Hoping the class can be more and more interesting and useful.
In conclusion, this course did not just provide knowledge; it equipped me with a crucial lens for viewing our interconnected world. I now feel more confident and prepared to engage effectively and respectfully in diverse environments, both academically and in my future career. The journey toward intercultural competence is lifelong, and this course has provided an essential and inspiring starting point.