1) This document summarizes a cross-cultural competence collaborative learning summit. It includes outcomes of exploring culture, gaining cultural understanding, and reflection. 2) Participants took part in a card game activity where they had to follow rules but could not speak. This caused difficulties and highlighted issues around communication and conflict across cultures. 3) Culture refers to what is familiar and accepted within a group, and it is multi-layered, dynamic, and elastic. It is always present in conflict, even if it does not always cause conflict. Checking privilege and cultural fluency are discussed as ways to navigate cross-cultural interactions and conflict.

1. CROSS-CULTURAL
COMPETENCE
COLLABORATIVE LEARNING SUMMIT
GBOLAHAN OLAREWAJU M.SC.
COORDINATOR, INTERNATIONAL AND MULTI-FAITH PROGRAMS

2. OUTCOMES
• Explore key concepts relating to culture and social
identity
• Gain a basic understanding of cultural dynamics
• Reflection on personal culture and privilege
• Tips on navigating conflict in cross-cultural settings

3. FIVE TRICKS
On your table
• Deck of cards
• Rules sheet
• Scrap Paper
• Pencils
8 mins to study the rules and practice playing
10 mins of tournament

4. DISCUSSION
In one word, describe the game you just played
When you realized something was wrong, how did you deal
with it?
Did not being able to speak have an impact on how you felt?

5. WHY DID WE JUST DO THAT?
Different cultures perceive things differently or play by
different rules
Difficulty communicating causes additional problems in
conflict
It’s easy to forget our privilege if we are in the majority

6. LET’S TALK CULTURE
Culture is about what is accepted and familiar among a group of
people with some kind of shared identity.
Culture does not only refer to ethnicity or country of citizenship
Culture is Multi-layered
Culture is Dynamic
Culture is Elastic
Culture does not always cause conflict, but it’s always present
in conflict.

7. NAVIGATING CONFLICT
Understand cross-cultural communication
Meet people where they are at
Practice cultural fluency
Check your Privilege

8. PRIVILEGE

9. CHECK YOUR PRIVILEGE

10. BOTTOM LINE?
Privilege is not a reflection of things we’ve done
We receive privileges whether we want them or not
Privilege is systemic
Reflect on you own and recognize the diversity of privilege
around you
“Do to others as they would have you do to them”

11. FIN!
Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common…
Celebrate it everyday!