What do you do if you want to enhance your understanding of diverse cultures as a late career professional?

Online courses are a great way to get started in developing cultural competency and understanding. They allow you to dip your toes in the water in a non-confronting way from the comfort of your own space, in your own time. Don't stop there, though! Once you feel ready (or even if you don't), look for opportunities to connect with others. This may be through local language learning classes or other activities offered in your community that give you opportunities to connect with people from cultures other than your own.

Exploring new destinations offers a direct and immersive experience of diverse cultures. If feasible, prioritize visits to countries that intrigue you and actively engage with the local community. Instead of confining yourself to tourist hubs, seek out authentic encounters by embracing local transportation, dining at neighborhood eateries, and partaking in customary festivities. By respectfully engaging with locals, you'll foster meaningful connections and cultivate a richer appreciation for their cultural heritage.

Mastering a new language extends far beyond mere communication; it offers profound insights into the intricacies of human thought and interaction. Along your linguistic journey, you'll uncover cultural subtleties and idiosyncrasies that evade translation. With an array of resources at your disposal—from traditional classes to innovative software and apps—embarking on this endeavor is more accessible than ever. Even if fluency remains elusive, the dedication you invest demonstrates a profound respect for the culture, while paving the way for meaningful connections and mutual understanding.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of cultures by attending local festivals, exhibitions, and events. These gatherings offer an authentic glimpse into various cultural traditions through music, dance, cuisine, and art, stimulating your senses and broadening your understanding. Take advantage of the opportunity to interact with cultural experts, asking questions and delving deeper into their customs. Beyond enriching your knowledge, these experiences foster connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds, enriching your cultural network along the way.

When you belong to a majority culture it is often hard to distinguish between human behavior and what is "culture". The process of developing strong cross cultural safety and competency requires us to look at our own lived experience through a lens of culture. My "moment" was early when I was practicing in a community where my ancestors had left 4 generations before and a very small action of another showed me my culture had shifted so that common action was distressing and inappropriate. It was hard to explain it to them later because I lacked the words to formulate a reasoned discussion. People seeing cultural safety as a waste of time fail to recognize they are safe in a majority culture, until they are no longer part of it.