We are now living in a global community where cultural competence and sensitivity are crucial to maintaining any life progress. Countries and communities including the US are becoming more and more diverse through global migration patterns that now allow people to live and work anywhere in the world. Organizations are also becoming increasingly more diverse due to the development of technology to the extent that companies can hire remote talent. Therefore whether a person intends on staying within their country of birth all their lives or intends to live, study and work abroad, it is becoming more crucial to develop cultural competencies. These are the reasons why I chose the tool as I believe cultural competence will be an important skill to develop across the board for any student or individual.
Inter Exchange offers young people an exciting opportunity to develop their cultural competence by allowing them to live, work and study in different countries through an exchange program. The non-profit organization was founded in 1968 and has since then helped over 300000 young people take part in highly impactful cultural exchange programs. The organization has a diverse range of programs to suit the personal and career goals of its participants. For instance, the organization provides an opportunity for participants to spend the summer abroad giving back to various communities of their choosing. The organization also provides participants with the opportunity to work in certain organizations aligned with their career goals and even teach young students various subjects such as English.
Through the various programs offered at Inter Exchange, the participants can interact with a wealth of different cultures and ethnicities. The cultural exchange that happens within these programs allows the participants to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures. In understanding the way other cultures work and operate, the participants cannot just tolerate but appreciate multicultural work and study environments. The cultural competence developed within the students translates into well-rounded students and future professionals within a multicultural society.
Applying for Inter Exchange is also quite simple which allows for a range of young people to engage and participate. All the participants have to do is correctly complete the application form for whichever program they would wish to participate in. The applications are accompanied by additional requirements that the participants may be asked to upload online. There is, however, an application fee that the participants are required to pay depending on the program to facilitate the visa and selection processes. Participants are therefore required to review the updated program fees for the program they wish to join to determine suitability and affordability. Successful applicants are then connected to host families within the communities and regions they will be traveling to and facilitated to travel.
The Inter Exchange programs provide a unique and interesting opportunity to engage with different cultures and ethnicities. The multicultural competence built within these programs is invaluable in today’s time and helps with both personal and career goals. I would actively invite students to engage with the tool to build their cultural competence. There is a range of programs to choose from to allow each student to select a program that matches with or their goals. The primary way I would incorporate the tool into the class is to create awareness among both the students and the parents of the tool and encourage any willing participants to apply and engage with the tool.
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