Managing Diversity

People relocating to foreign nations face myriad challenges. One of these challenges involves cultural shock because the host culture is different from the culture of one’s motherland. Relocating to a foreign country necessitates a lot of preparation and planning. If I ever had to relocate, I believe that I could benefit from several preparations in different ways, as discussed below.
First Preparation
My first preparation would involve learning the host country’s language. Cross-cultural communication is a priceless skill when living in a foreign nation because it will enable me to interact effectively and engage with the host nation’s people. Proficiency in the host nation’s language is necessary to build cultural competence, which will empower me to connect and interact with native people deeply and effectively. Learning the host nation’s language will enable me to understand their figurative language, tone, pace, and presentation. By learning the host nation’s language, I will build a social identity and establish coherence with the local social group (Wen-Cheng, Chien-Hung & Ying-Chien, 2011, p. 111).
Second Preparation
The second preparation encompasses learning the culture of the host nation. As a professional, I understand that I would be interact with people identifying with different dialects. These may include work colleagues, managers, customers, and community members. Therefore, I must better understand the host nation’s ways of life. Understanding their belief system, etiquette, and knowledge systems will promote empathy, tolerance, and acceptance (Constantin, Cohen-Vida & Popescu, 2015, p. 697). Besides, learning a foreign culture will enable me to build cultural awareness by empowering me to rethink assumptions that I may have about the host nation’s practices and daily life.
Final Preparation
Lastly, my third preparation involves joining professional networking groups in the host nation. Membership in professional groups will present networking opportunities with experts in my area of specialization. Connecting with the local experts will establish a support system to help me learn the local language, culture, and people’s dynamics. With the help of fellow professionals, I will gain a deeper understanding of the “Dos” and “Don’ts” of society, thereby empowering me to celebrate our differences and similarities with the native people.

References
Constantin, E. C., Cohen-Vida, M., & Popescu, A. V. (2015). Developing cultural awareness. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 191, 696-699.
Wen-Cheng, W., Chien-Hung, L., & Ying-Chien, C. (2011). Cultural diversity and information and communication impacts on language learning. International Education Studies, 4(2), 111-115.