My Community Based Internship: Cultural Competency vs. Diversity
Mentor 1
Benjamin Trager
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
5-4-2019 1:30 PM
End Date
5-4-2019 3:30 PM
Description
In 2019, cultural competency and diversity is pushed in the workplace more now than ever. My community-based internship showed me the importance of cultural competency. In addition, it shaped my understanding on cultural competency. According to Wilson, Cultural competency is the ability to relate to others. Whereas cultural diversity acknowledges the existence of a variety of cultural groups within a society. Cultural competency challenges diversity because it seeks interaction and understanding of one’s culture. In my experience, cultural competency directly engages with others and sympathizes with their culture even if you cannot necessarily relate. Whereas, I have seen diversity become limited to workplace trainings and including other cultures without depicting the meaning behind it. It has been integrated in the workplace and has been used because you are working with others from different cultural backgrounds. Through my research I have found three components that are fundamental to cultural competency is: (1) Relationship building (2) Knowledgeable of other’s cultures (3) Effective Communication. Relationship building is a fundamental part of cultural competency and is based on expectations and attitudes. Secondly, being knowledgeable of others help you relate to others and maintain a self-awareness of what is going on around you. Lastly, effective communication is important in relating to others. The Community-Based Internship shaped not only my cultural competency but my view on my community. In my CLIP experience, I work with a team of diverse individuals: African-American, Filipino, Indian, and Caucasian. Each has a different cultural and socio-economic factor and contributes to our community uniquely. My view is no longer limited to defining community as the ones I have something in common with but more so finding community by cultivating relationships with those from different socio-economic backgrounds and cultures.
My Community Based Internship: Cultural Competency vs. Diversity
Union Wisconsin Room
In 2019, cultural competency and diversity is pushed in the workplace more now than ever. My community-based internship showed me the importance of cultural competency. In addition, it shaped my understanding on cultural competency. According to Wilson, Cultural competency is the ability to relate to others. Whereas cultural diversity acknowledges the existence of a variety of cultural groups within a society. Cultural competency challenges diversity because it seeks interaction and understanding of one’s culture. In my experience, cultural competency directly engages with others and sympathizes with their culture even if you cannot necessarily relate. Whereas, I have seen diversity become limited to workplace trainings and including other cultures without depicting the meaning behind it. It has been integrated in the workplace and has been used because you are working with others from different cultural backgrounds. Through my research I have found three components that are fundamental to cultural competency is: (1) Relationship building (2) Knowledgeable of other’s cultures (3) Effective Communication. Relationship building is a fundamental part of cultural competency and is based on expectations and attitudes. Secondly, being knowledgeable of others help you relate to others and maintain a self-awareness of what is going on around you. Lastly, effective communication is important in relating to others. The Community-Based Internship shaped not only my cultural competency but my view on my community. In my CLIP experience, I work with a team of diverse individuals: African-American, Filipino, Indian, and Caucasian. Each has a different cultural and socio-economic factor and contributes to our community uniquely. My view is no longer limited to defining community as the ones I have something in common with but more so finding community by cultivating relationships with those from different socio-economic backgrounds and cultures.
