Intercultural relationships and relational learning

 When thinking about intercultural relationships, I never really thought about age and physical ability being part of the difference in a culture. According to Martin and Nakayama 2022, intercultural relationships are relationships that are formed between individuals from diverse cultures, with the possibility of differences in age, physical abilities, gender, ethnicity, class, religion, race, or nationality (Martin & Nakayama, 2022). The idea that age and physical ability is considered an intercultural relationship has given me more of an idea about the diverse cultures I am exposed to on a regular basis that I never considered. I always thought about intercultural relationships and culture to be based on more of the race and nationality standpoint. In reading this week’s readings I have feel more enlightened that intercultural relationships are much broader than I expected. Having a new understanding of intercultural relationships has opened my eyes to the amount of relational learning I have been exposed to throughout the years. Relational learning, learning that comes from a particular relationship but generalized to other contexts (Martin & Nakayama, 2022). In growing up I have learned things from individuals that are older than me as well as individuals of different religions, class, and gender that I am able to apply in my daily life. In further understanding intercultural relationships this has shown me that I have actually learned diverse ways to manage problems, relationships and control my emotions that I would have never done in this fashion if I had not had these intercultural relationships. Overall, I know have a more in-depth understanding of intercultural relationships and how that can affect one's behavior and views on things.

 








 

References

Martin, J., & Nakayama, T. (2022). Intercultural Communications in Context. New York: McGraw Hill LLC.

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