Learning about other cultures is an invaluable experience. There are many ways to gain knowledge about other cultures. You can search the internet or the local library for information, and travel whenever possible.
1. Use Technology to Learn more
A) Watch the videos on TV or YouTube dedicated to a particular culture. On YouTube, you can ask questions in the comments of a video. For example, with the widespread influence of American culture, American media is widely consumed internationally, and most people are familiar with American English through movies, television, and music.
B) There are services that help you find interlocutors for conversational practice among native speakers:- Italki
- HiNative
Tandem
Speaky
Verbling
- HelloTalk
Couchsurfing
Polyglot Club
Interpals
Meetup
Internations
Conversation Exchange
Penpaland
Easy Language Exchange
Paltalk
LingoGlobe
The Mixxer
My Language Exchange
busuu
All of the websites listed above are useful. Try to practice on some of them to see which one is right for you.
2. Get involved in the local community
A) Visit museums. The museums often host exhibitions and galleries about different cultures.
B) Sign up for courses. Many schools and colleges conduct lectures, courses, and seminars. You can take a language course or listen to lectures on a particular culture.
C) Make friends in your community. It’s always good to make friends from other cultures. This is a way to gain empathy and understanding, and perhaps also acquire valuable friendships. Connect with people around you at work, school, or other local organizations.
3. Travel
A) Save money for travel. Traveling is the best way to learn about other cultures. Personal experience is the best way to gain knowledge and experience. Travel may not come cheap, so plan ahead.
B) Take part in the exchange programs. Some schools and universities take part in exchange programs. In these programs representatives of different cultures change places: they live in each other’s families, go to school/ university or work in the area, and also integrate into society. For example, the USA is home to more than 4,000 colleges and universities, and some language schools offer transition programs for international students who would like to pursue higher education in the United States. Having first-hand experience in the country can familiarize you with the available options to study at an American college or university.
C) Volunteer abroad. There are many opportunities to travel abroad through volunteer programs. You gain valuable knowledge about another culture through volunteering, but make sure you are willing to dedicate yourself to helping other people.
D) Go on a road trip. Plan a car or bus trip that will take you through several cities, regions or even countries. In many American cities, for example, you can find vibrant neighborhoods with names like Chinatown, Koreatown and Little Italy that allow you to discover the world all within the United States. During your studies, you also meet people from all around the world, learn about their cultures and make international friends.