It is safe to state that intercultural interaction is crucial in both daily life and work. This short story shows the difficulties of coexisting with people of different cultures and languages in a small Namibian village, as well as the need of effective communication in overcoming these difficulties
American high school teacher, Sarah arrived in a rural Namibian village to work as a volunteer at a local school Onawa Secondary School, she knew it would be difficult. She was not prepared, however, for the cultural difference that promised to keep her isolated from the community. Sarah was assigned to teach English at the local school for six months. She couldn't wait to become totally absorbed in the community and learn from her students..Sarah soon realized, however, that the cultural divides were far bigger than she had anticipated. She struggled to communicate with her students and the other villagers since they spoke a dialect she didn't understand. She also struggled to blend in with the community's diverse traditions and customs. Sarah's dissatisfaction and homesickness grew with time. She felt isolated and isolated from the inhabitants, and she wondered if her arrival in the village had been a mistake.
Sarah made the decision to seek assistance from the community elders one day. She asked that they organize a get-together with the other residents so she could introduce herself and get to know them better. The elders of the village held a gathering there since they were happy to help. At the event, Sarah was able to introduce herself and share her travel goals. She also overheard the people discussing their traditions, dialects, and customs. Because of this chat, Sarah learned more about the neighborhood and its residents
As a consequence of this honest and open dialogue, Sarah was able to overcome her communication issues and interact with the group. She was able to become a more successful teacher as a result of her enhanced understanding of her students' needs. She learned the importance of effective cross-cultural communication as well as the importance of respect and understanding for all parties involved, even in a small Namibian village
photo from: Google
What other ways do you think Sarah could have possibly overcome this challenge ?
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